Dirk Bones and the Mystery of the Haunted House (I Can Read Level 1) by Doug Cushman

Dirk Bones

by Doug Cushman

In the town of Ghostly, where every house is haunted, two ghosts are frightened. . . . Someone is haunting them with mysterious Clack, cluckity-cluck bing, blub blub . Or is it click, cluck-clackity cling, flub flub ? They can't agree on what the sounds are, but they know they're not ghostly noises. What could be more scary? Good thing ace reporter Dirk Bones is on the case. Dirk writes for the town newspaper, The Ghostly Tombs , and as he collects the facts for his stories, he also solves mysteries. As Dirk investigates this zany case, he encounters more silly, creepy creatures in a town full of promise for more surprising mysteries to come.

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Picture Books, Adventure, Halloween, Monsters

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Doug Cushman has illustrated more than 100 children’s books, 20 or so of which he has also written. Among his many honors, Doug has gained a place on the New York Times Children’s Best Sellers list and on the 2003 Children’s Literature Choice list. He has received a National Cartoonist’s Society Reuben award and a 2004 Christopher Award for his book illustrations.

Reviews

[Deana Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abbi loved it when he solved the mystery...she says she "loves that little skeleton."

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new addition to our school library. I needed some new Easy Readers. I like that the main character, Dirk Bones, is a skeleton. It reminds me of Skulduggery Pleasant which is for middle grade readers. I like how the plot is simple yet engages readers to figure out the mystery. And the character are cute. The pictures are colorful and expressive, too. Should be a good choice for new readers!

[S.j.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable beginning reader book. I didn't have my beginning reader read it yet, but I enjoyed the story so I think he will too.

[Amy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirk Bones gets a call that ghosts are afraid of ghosts in the town of Ghostly and he checks it out for the newspaper that he writes for: The Ghostly Tombs.

[Travis Ewing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a few months back and had to read to him. This time he was able to read it w/ just a little struggle. It is a bit long though so we read a few pages at a time

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read. My son really liked it. I loved that the ghosts were afraid and thought they were being haunted...cute twist.

[Michael Leitzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book would be a gread read aloud! very adventurous and interesting. Young kids would love this book. The illustrations and story were both great.

[Audree Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy was engaged whole time. Asked good questions and made good predictions.

[Cosette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book scared me. Not sure how well I'll sleep tonight. There are typewriters out there?!?

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirk Bones is the intrepid reporter of the for The Ghostly Tombs. What do you do when ghost call you and tell you that they are being haunted? Great Halloween book!

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirk Bones, newspaper reporter, gets the scoop when two ghosts hear spooky noises and fear their house is being haunted by another ghost. Beginning readers will pick this book for its “scary” subject matter, but, as the cartoon drawings hint, the ending is not really so frightening, after all. This is sure be a popular title among first graders. Libraries wishing to build their beginning reader collection will want to make this purchase.

[Terry]

The story is more humorous than scary, pretty much guaranteeing multiple readings. The format allows for an easy transition to a 'play' if taking parts helps engage your young reader. See all of the things you can do with this bookin the review on the Reading Tub website.

[Jennifer Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fun for kids that enjoy mystery books. Finding clues, investigating people, and figuring out what is going one is what Dirk Bones, the journalist does.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son likes these so much he is already looking to read another series from the same author. This series has been the biggest motivator for him to read, so far!

[Greg S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Dirk Bones.
My five-year-old likes Dirk Bones
He liked this one, but it did not get more than two reads.

Maybe it was the type writer.
Maybe it was the pacing.
Maybe it was the lack of clues.
Maybe it was the word ‘Haunted’.

[Jc · Rating 3 out of 5]

What could be going on to make a Haunted House so mysterious? Reporter Dirk Bone will find the answer.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish Cushman would write more Dirk Bones books. My three-year-old daughter absolutely loves them!

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to see if I wanted to keep it in my beginner reader section, and it only made me want to order MORE Dirk Bones books. I love him!

[sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

nostalgia pt.2

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good early mystery for young readers. I love the premise and I'm sad there are only 2 in the series.

[Logan Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal Reaction:
I liked this book and think it would be a good book for a transitional reader because each page is longer than a beginning reader's book, but is still simple and easy to follow along. The story is a mystery where detective, Dirk Bones, must solve the mystery of some odd noises that are frightening some ghosts within a haunted house. The story is humorous and contains a huge amount of onomatopoeias which are easy for children to read and they usually enjoy using the words enthusiastically.

Purpose/Use in Classroom:
This book would be a great book to read during the holiday season such as halloween since the book is based in a setting where monsters and scary creatures have created a town. This book would most likely be read as a independent reading book since its a series book and the vocabulary is not complex and would be easy for a transitional reader. One literary element that this book portrays really well is the setting. The author created a setting where this town is full of monster, ghosts, and spooky creature that live in haunted houses, graveyards, etc.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love Doug Cushman's books and this is another fun beginning reader story. It's a little spooky, perfect for the Halloween season, but not too scary, and it has a nice ending. The illustrations are great and the narrative is not too challenging. Our youngest helped me read this one aloud during bedtime stories. We enjoyed reading this book together.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

G really struggled with the vocabulary in this one - it was actually more difficult for her than Inspector Hopper which is marked as Level 2, but since there were only two in the series, I went ahead and got the second. It turns out that she was delighted and actually really enjoyed both of them.

[Edward Creter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirk Bones is a skeleton reporter fleshing out (lol!) his latest story--aq new ghost is frightening the bejeebers creepers out of the town of Ghostly! Can Dirk find out what's making the creepy noises?

[Partridge Public]

Cushman, Doug K-1st

[Shellee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute beginning reader about a fact checking report that get to the bottom of the story to find the facts. Recommend to boy and girls that like a monsters and funny stories.

[MargaretAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this one too many times in my personal opinion, but Alana found it quite good.