The Missing Case

Hal Junior #2

by Simon Haynes

The Missing Case is the second book in the Hal Junior Series. Middle-grade science fiction. 32,000 words, 190 pages, 20 illustrations. Middle-grade science fiction (funny books for kids). Book one, The Secret Signal, is also available in paperback and Kindle ebook editions.

With its funny illustrations, engaging characters and easy-to-read text, Hal Junior is ideal for reluctant readers.

Reluctant boys will especially enjoy troublemaker Hal Junior's hair-raising adventures.

In time, this middle-grade series for 9 to 12 year olds is sure to join the ranks of middle grade fiction best sellers.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2012

About the author

Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock, Harriet Walsh and Hal Junior (MG) series. He divides his time between writing fiction and computer software, with the occasional bike ride thrown in for a laugh.

Simon lives in Perth, Western Australia.

Reviews

[Jas]

I loved this one more than the first, you start to feel connected to Hal and it was a good laugh and good chase.

[Bonnie Dale Keck]

kindle unlimited

Space Station Oberon is hosting an important visitor, and everyone is on their best behaviour. Even Hal Junior is doing his best to stay out of trouble.
No chance! From multi-coloured smoke bombs to exploding space rations, Hal Junior proves trouble is what he's best at!


Hal Junior 1: The Secret Signal: science fiction for ages 8-12
Hal Junior 2: The Missing Case: science fiction for ages 8-12
Hal Junior 3: The Gyris Mission: science fiction for ages 8-12

Hal Spacejock 1: A robot named Clunk
Hal Spacejock 2: Second Course
Hal Spacejock 3: Just Desserts
Hal Spacejock Omnibus One {Hal Spacejock Omnibus One Hal Spacejock #1-3, PLUS a bonus short story: Hal Spacejock Visit/4.2}
Hal Spacejock 4: No Free Lunch
Hal Spacejock 4.1: Framed
Hal Spacejock 4.2: Visit
Hal Spacejock 5: Baker's Dough
Hal Spacejock 6: Safe Art
Hal Spacejock 7.1: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.2: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.3: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.4: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.5: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.6: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.7: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.8: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.9: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.10: Big Ban
Hal Spacejock 8: Double Trouble

[Tsana Dolichva]

Hal Junior: The Missing Case by Simon Haynes is the second of his Hal Junior books, although they stand alone and reading order isn’t important. The Hal Junior series is itself a spin-off of Haynes Hal Spacejock novels for adults.

Hal Junior is a kid growing up on a space station who is particularly adept at getting himself into trouble and causing havoc. In The Missing Case, he is given the important task of entertaining and looking after a VIP visitor’s son Alex. Except that it turns out Alex isn’t the VIP’s son, but his daughter, much to Hal’s dismay. Alex is also entrusted with looking after her father’s very important (and titular) briefcase. Shenanigans ensue.

Since I started reading the Hal Junior books, I’ve been very curious as to how they fit into the larger Hal Spacejock universe. Initially I thought Hal Junior was going to be about Spacejock’s childhood, but this is obviously not the case once you start reading. There was a hint at the end of The Missing Case which suggests that maybe we’ll find out more soon, hopefully in Hal Junior 3 (which I think isn’t that far off).

The Missing Case is a quick fun read and good for a few laughs. I would also recommend it to kids (I believe the US category is called “middle-grade”, but in Australia I’ve only seen it called “for younger readers”) who enjoy space adventures or reading about general mischief-making.

4 / 5 stars

You can read more of my reviews on my blog.

[Simon]

Out on Amazon Kindle in the next few hours, paperback edition to follow within the next couple of weeks.