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Sugar Creek Gang #7
Mystery at Sugar Creek
The tales and travels of the Sugar Creek Gang have passed the test of time, delighting young readers for more than fifty years. Great mysteries with a message, The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. Your kids will be thrilled, chilled, and inspired to grow as they follow the legendary escapades of Bill Collins, Dragonfly, and the rest of the gang and see how they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life.A late night hunting trip for the Sugar Creek Gang leads to a surprise discovery. Later, Old Man Paddler invites them to his cabin for a sassafras tea party. An urgent knock on the door interrupts the party. Soon they find themselves knee-deep in a quicksand rescue. Explore with the gang the effects of sin in one's life and the benefits of following Jesus.
88 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1943
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83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 22, 2018
The kids enjoyed this but found the title puzzling. It features quicksand and John Till on the run from the police and a raccoon hunt (yes the raccoon dies but there was sadness, an apology and an explanation why).
December 28, 2025
Christian Middle Grade Fiction
For boys (or girls ;)
I love how the boys are just the right blend of taking their faith seriously while also being wild and dumb 10 year olds. Very enjoyable!
Approved for the church library!
Not dealbreakers, but awkward:
1. When the hunting dog that kills raccoons goes after the main character’s cat, he doesn’t chase it or make it stop. Eventually, one of his friends says: “I’ll go save the cat’s life.” He should have immediately gone to get his cat.
2. The boys then go hunt and kill an opossum. Opossums eat ticks, almost never get rabies, and generally don’t cause mischief on a farm, so I didn’t like that very much.
3. They also hunt a raccoon, which is attacked by dogs until the men kill it.
Love:
They thank the raccoon, and tell it how its pelt will buy their families meat and fruit for the winter.
4. The kind old man traveled the world and prays daily for missionaries all around the world, keeping up with them on his World Map in which he presses Pins — black pins for Africa, brown pins for South America, etc. for the native people’s skin colors.
Love:
I love how the kind old man invites the Sugar Creek Gang and adult Hunter men to have a tea party at his house, and they do.
This tea party is seen as masculine community. Love it!
For boys (or girls ;)
I love how the boys are just the right blend of taking their faith seriously while also being wild and dumb 10 year olds. Very enjoyable!
Approved for the church library!
Not dealbreakers, but awkward:
1. When the hunting dog that kills raccoons goes after the main character’s cat, he doesn’t chase it or make it stop. Eventually, one of his friends says: “I’ll go save the cat’s life.” He should have immediately gone to get his cat.
2. The boys then go hunt and kill an opossum. Opossums eat ticks, almost never get rabies, and generally don’t cause mischief on a farm, so I didn’t like that very much.
3. They also hunt a raccoon, which is attacked by dogs until the men kill it.
Love:
They thank the raccoon, and tell it how its pelt will buy their families meat and fruit for the winter.
4. The kind old man traveled the world and prays daily for missionaries all around the world, keeping up with them on his World Map in which he presses Pins — black pins for Africa, brown pins for South America, etc. for the native people’s skin colors.
Love:
I love how the kind old man invites the Sugar Creek Gang and adult Hunter men to have a tea party at his house, and they do.
This tea party is seen as masculine community. Love it!
May 27, 2020
Mystery at Sugar Creek by Paul Hutchens.
This is my first foray into the world of the Sugar Creek Gang. First published in 1943; as would be expected, the story is somewhat dated.
This series centers around a group of preteen boys that have adventures together. Although I find the main story line of the boys on a coon hunt at night rather weak I can say that the gospel message of Christ's love is not hidden.
Interesting that the copy of this book I read is titled Mystery at Sugar Creek; published in 1966 in paperback form by Moody Press; peculiar considering there is no mystery in the story line. It appears that in subsequent publishing dates the title was changed to Mystery Cave which actually makes slightly more sense because the main story centers around a cave of sorts.
Although I didn't love this book I will recommend it if for nothing else than the ability of the author to describe Christ's redemptive love in a way that children will understand.
My Rating System:
* not worth finishing, ** wouldn’t recommend, *** would recommend, **** would highly recommend, ***** have/would read again.
This is my first foray into the world of the Sugar Creek Gang. First published in 1943; as would be expected, the story is somewhat dated.
This series centers around a group of preteen boys that have adventures together. Although I find the main story line of the boys on a coon hunt at night rather weak I can say that the gospel message of Christ's love is not hidden.
Interesting that the copy of this book I read is titled Mystery at Sugar Creek; published in 1966 in paperback form by Moody Press; peculiar considering there is no mystery in the story line. It appears that in subsequent publishing dates the title was changed to Mystery Cave which actually makes slightly more sense because the main story centers around a cave of sorts.
Although I didn't love this book I will recommend it if for nothing else than the ability of the author to describe Christ's redemptive love in a way that children will understand.
My Rating System:
* not worth finishing, ** wouldn’t recommend, *** would recommend, **** would highly recommend, ***** have/would read again.
June 28, 2020
Wow! I was so engrossed in this action pact Mystery, that I read
the whole book through. From cover to cover. This one had twists
and turns all the way through, along with a few surprises. But you. will have pick up a copy to read yourself, and while you're you're at it, sit down and read itto the rest of the family too. In side, or out in the yard. on a blanket.Maybe at the patio table with some cool drinks, to enjoy
while listening to the story.
Debra H.
the whole book through. From cover to cover. This one had twists
and turns all the way through, along with a few surprises. But you. will have pick up a copy to read yourself, and while you're you're at it, sit down and read itto the rest of the family too. In side, or out in the yard. on a blanket.Maybe at the patio table with some cool drinks, to enjoy
while listening to the story.
Debra H.
April 23, 2020
There are so many things I love about these stories. I think the main thing is the powerful message that explains more about God’s Word in each one. In this one, we learned in a very real way that we have to be saved before we can follow Jesus. Very well done!
January 27, 2021
This short, but quality, book by Paul Hutchens recounts another of the adventures of the Sugar Creek Gang - a group of boys who throughout the series continue to grow as Christians. It emphasises the important role that God has in all of life in a way that is relatable for younger people.
June 5, 2024
This one was not as interesting. Did not have as much character development.
October 16, 2012
it was ok and was ful of excitement.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews