Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Television Dog

Cam Jansen Mysteries #4

by David A. Adler

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Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile

58 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifth-graders Cam Jansen and Eric Shelton, along with Eric's younger twin sisters, Donna and Diane, attend a book signing with celebrity dog Poochie in this beginning chapter-book mystery. When the man in front of them in line drops a box of dog biscuits, Poochie and Cloudy (the man's own dog) get very excited and chase one another around the bookstore. When the man leaves, Cam discovers that he took Poochie with him, rather than Cloudy. Is it an accident, or is something more sinister afoot...?

I read quite a few of these Cam Jansen mysteries when I was young - I'd say when I was in third grade or so - and I always enjoyed how Cam and Eric managed to run around town solving puzzles, with little or no parental involvement. It might not have been very realistic - and probably would be considered quite dated today, given the trend of helicopter parenting that has developed in the years since this was first published, in the early 1980s - but it was quite satisfying to me as a child reader. Rereading this as an adult - part of a current project - I found the mystery and adventure here rather slight. That said, young readers just getting going with chapter-books will no doubt find it engaging, just as I did years ago.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in Spanish.

How the hell did I read so many books as a child and I have forgotten what happened in 90% of then.

[Ella Nadine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a two because the book didn’t get interesting until chapter 6 and there were 8 chapters. It was pretty obvious what was going to happen and how it was going to end.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my first grade class. It was entertaining and not too complicated. The kids could figure out the mystery while enjoying the story.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

*Please Note that the following review is the general review on the Cam Jansen Mysteries *

I loved this series as a kid. I believe I was about 6 to 8 when I read these books and it would be the beginning of my love of mysteries. Cam Jansen, about 10 years old, uses her photographic memory to solve mysteries. They remind me of Agatha Christie novels but for children beginning to read chapter books. I would call these one step above the easy readers.

[Slayermel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book that I have been reading with the children in my class during our rest time. This was a perfect book for transitioning into chapter books. The children loved the element of mystery in the story. What happened to the dog? Are they going to switch the dog back?
This was a very cute story, and Perfect for the Kindergarten age group.

[Anya Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it when Cam was able to find that dogs have been switched because spots were in the wrong place.

[Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a cute book but it gives lots of clues to the readers that hint at the dogs were switched. It’s very easy to read and the story itself is okay. I think besides having a good memory and a smart mind, the main, Cam Jansen, doesn’t really impress me. I think the character was not fully developed or built up in a way that relates to general readers, or to say, more child-like. She has detective mind and doesn’t worry about consequences. I do think it’s usually not recommended for kids to solve problems like playing pranks at the bad person’s house, that could lead into real danger. So I don’t think I recommend kids to adopt it, because it’s not realistic to do it in the real world and it’s not safe.

[Christy Bartel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was the Substitute librarian at a private school today, so with a spare thirty minutes I read this classic of a book. I remember this series from my childhood because the concept of a photographic memory was so cool. Wish I had Cam's memory, but clearly I said, "click" while reading these books because I remembered them all these years.

“Cam has what people call red hair, even though it is more orange than red.” <-- SOMEBODY HAD TO SAY IT!

“Diane held Cam’s hand to keep her from walking into things.” <-- That's a true friend.

P.S. (which I taught the kids that it means 'post script') you should look up David. A. Adler's biography on Goodreads, it's cute. Stay-at-home dads for the win.

[Annie Flanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 in a series of books on Cam Jansen. There are apparently at least 29 books in the series.

This book is illustrated by Sussana Nati. I really like the illustrations.

Cam has a photographic memory. Her real name is Jennifer Jansen. But because of her photographic memory people started calling her 'The Camera' - shortened to Cam. Her friends are Eric Shelton and his twin sisters Donna and Diane.

She and her friends go to a bookstore to buy a book about Poochie - a dog on TV. Poochie is a white dog who has distinctive spots. While at the bookstore Poochie is dognapped. Cam and her friends rescue him.

[Kira Nerys · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I picked up a used copy of this--nostalgia? I never read Cam Jansen when I was the right age for it (Kindergarten or 1st grade), but I've always been fascinated by her photographic memory. I know Adler dramatized it for the sake of the books, but it's such a fun idea, to remember everything you see. Back when I read this series for the first time, I remember playing make-believe that I too had a photographic memory.

The book maintains a vaguely Scooby-Doo feel, despite being more simplistic and less scary than the TV show can be. (It's the dog-centric story.) The A to Z Mysteries (The Absent Author), a step more difficult to read, offer a similar introduction to the mystery genre. This adventure won't befuddle anyone much but will certainly entertain readers of the right age. And as a dog person, I've gotta say: a dog doesn't suddenly obey a new trainer after a week. C'mon.

[Anna Salvesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a television dog named Poochie and he's in a store waiting for people because people want to meet him. Someone came into the store with the same exact dog named Cloudy. The trainer of Poochie accidentally took Cloudy, the wrong dog. He didn't know that it was Cloudy, but Cloudy's owner took Poochie on purpose. Then Cam, Eric, Donna, and Diane found out that it wasn't actually Poochie and they followed Cloudy to its house when he ran away. Cloudy's owner got arrested for taking Poochie on purpose.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cam has a photographic memory, which comes in handy when solving crimes!

Cam is in line to get a picture with Poochie, the amazing TV dog star, when a crime happens right in front of her! Poochie has been kidnapped, and it's up to her and her friends to find the dog movie star.

This book is great for lovers of mystery, animals, and young detectives.

A great chapter book for 3rd graders.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cam and her friend Eric wait in line with Eric's twin sisters, Donna and Diane, to get an autographed copy of celebrity dog Poochie's book. After some hubbub at the book store, Poochie is no longer obeying his trainer, so Cam and friends are on the case. Fun mystery series to read to my 1st grade daughter.

[Los libros de Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cam Jansen es una niña que tiene un gran don: memoria fotográfica. Presta mucha atención a los detalles y no se le olvida nada. Esto le permitirá a Cam vivir una gran aventura juntos a sus amigos y resolver el misterio de la desaparición de un famoso perrito que tiene su programa de televisión y hasta otorga autógrafos estampando su huella como firma.

Una lectura muy ágil y entretenida.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fun mysteries. Cam Jansen has a photographic memory and she uses it to solve mysteries. But she also uses logic and deduction. I like the characters and the mysteries. This one involves a dog napping.

[Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's about Cam meeting a famous dog but this man with an identical dog switches the television dog with Cloudy. The man holds the dog for ransom. He shaves the television dog to disguise him. Cam saves the day again. Cloudy was actually a white dog with shoe paint on him.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when two look alike dogs get together? When one is a television dog and the other is just an regular dog? Cam Jansen is on the case. Cam and Eric need to figure out what happened. Was there a puppy mix up? Only Cam will know.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great early chapter book for young readers. Cam Jansen and her photographic memory notice that a famous dog is missing. Cam and her friends are on the case to find the missing dog!

[Mr.Zhou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Cloudy , I just wondered what happened to Cloudy..

[Pamela Baracho · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this story to see if my students would like it. It's a simple story. It's a cute mystery that kids should be able to figure out.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great story for kids. It allows them to make predictions and conclusions at a primary level. The characters talk and act their age in this fun mystery.

[cul._.chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am addicted to this series since I was a primary student. Rereading this book in high school level is still such an interesting one!

[Della Tingle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can Jansen books are great for students working on building up their reading stamina to be able to read longer chapter books, and they’re fun, too!

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any story including dogs has got my seal of approval!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My student was on the edge of her seat as we read together! Cam Jansen remains the perfect beginner mystery story.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸😸

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The original Cam Jansen series follows the exploits of 10-year-old 5th grader Jennifer "the Camera" (aka "Cam") Jansen and her best friend, classmate, and neighbor Eric Shelton. Cam got her nickname because of her photographic memory. All she has to do is say "Click," and Cam can remember everything she's seen, which comes in pretty handy when trying to solve mysteries.

David Adler has written several beginning chapter book series, but Cam Jansen is one of the earliest and most successful. He's been writing the series since 1980 and now writes roughly one volume per year. He has also started a Young Cam Jansen series of even simpler chapter books. Reading level wise, I'd say children they'd interest children from kindergarden through fifth grade who are just starting to read chapter books. I didn't read any of the the young Cam Jansen books, but it looks like they're more limited in scope and probably would be considered "baby books" to anyone beyond 2nd grade.

Because the books are so short, I read essentially the first half of the series and the 25th anniversary special "The Valentine Day Baby Mystery" where Cam's mom has twins, ending Cam's only child status, and Eric's mom has her car stolen, only to be returned when Cam's quick thinking discovers the thief.

Overall I was surprised at how engaging these stories were. I would totally recommend them to children just starting to read chapter books. The print is big and there are still several black and white drawings scattered throughout the text, making them an easy transition from picture books. Plus, they're well-written enough that I think they can nudge children to move on to better quality titles as they move on to longer chapter books.

Of course they're not perfect, though. It seems that adults Cam and Eric interact with choose to not accept Cam's photographic memory only when it's necessary to create tension in the story. Otherwise most adults take for granted that this 10-year-old can solve diamond thefts and bank robberies. Still, it has to be empowering for kids to read about someone close to their age solving mysteries like that.

I was also kind of bothered by the way Cam always ends up being right. Sometimes she comes off as a little too cocky and unwilling to listen to others. In nearly every story Eric plays the wet blanket suggesting that they tell an adult what they've discovered rather than trying to catch the bad guy on their own. However Cam always forges ahead and ends up getting her suspect. Again, I'm sure kids love the feeling of accomplishment, but sometimes it feels like Cam's walking the fine line between extreme confidence and recklessness, as in the Chocolate Fudge Mystery where she trespasses into someone's back yard just because she thinks it's weird that no one's home. Her dad and Eric both tell her she shouldn't be doing this, but Cam doesn't care because she's certain there's a mystery to be solved. She turns out be right (there's a bank robber hiding in the house) and her disregard for strangers' privacy is forgotten.

And honestly, that's the problem I had with these books when I was little. While it was cool to read about a kid doing cool stuff like solving robberies, I could always tell that the stories weren't quite true to real life. I guess that's why I always preferred stories of kids doing amazing things that were based off real stories like Island of the Blue Dolphins or at least seemed more realistic.

My husband, however, loved these books as a kid and said he read every one he could get his hands on when he was younger, so I guess that's at least some proof of their appeal to both sexes. Both libraries I checked these books out from had multiple copies of the titles in this series and even then I had trouble finding all the titles actually on the shelf, so they continue to be popular titles. I think they would be great additions to a school or public library collection.

[MONICA · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book it's very nice and interesting to read.
My favorite character is: Cam become she is smart
and when she wants to remember something she says "click".
They were finding Poochie in the story.

Thanks, Monica

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cam, her best friend, Eric Shelton, and his twin sisters, Donna and Diane, are standing in line in front of Lee's Bookstore. The man just ahead of them holds a white dog with black spots. The dog's name is Cloudy, and he looks exactly like Poochie, the famous television dog. Cam takes a mental picture of Cloudy and the strange looking man with long red hair. Soon Poochie arrives for the autograph session advertising his new book. When it’s the red-haired man's turn, he drops the box of dog biscuits he is holding. Both dogs jump down after the biscuits and start barking at each other. The man grabs his dog and leaves. When Cam, Eric, Donna, and Diane shake hands with Poochie, he leaves no ink marks. Cam gets suspicious and checks her mental picture of Poochie. This dog's spots are in the wrong place. Quickly, Cam and her friends are hot on the trail of the dog-napper.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com