Bread N' Butter: Private Rye

by A.J. Cosmo, Angela Pearson (Editor)

Something's rotten in the kitchen that always stinks. Luckily there's Bread and Butter, Private Rye, to wok the streets and keep the bad eggs in check.

When a sweet stalk of broccoli comes to Bread with her troubles the duo finds themselves in a stew of intrigue. Do they have what it takes to solve the case or will they wind up toast?

4.5k words, 9 full color illustrations, suitable for second graders and up (2.7 reading level) A great introduction to the crime genre!

37 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 25, 2013

About the author

A.J. Cosmo's stories are crafted to help parents teach their children
simple everyday lessons in an easy to understand manner. By artfully
marrying beautiful illustrations and language, children are challenged to
explore his magical worlds. Written for the transitional reader, A.J.'s
stories allow your child to develop and master a new level of reading.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a witty cartoon for adults

This book reads like a 1930's or 40's private eye story only with food! The witty word changes and clever story line certainly put a smile on my face. It would be over a kid's head, very amusing.

[Barbara Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Floret Viridian, a beautiful head of broccoli, comes to visit Private Rye in the fridge, he suspects trouble. Floret asks him to find out who stole the royal jelly from her last night. She is the maid for the Dom, who will be furious with her when he finds out. Rye goes with his sidekick butter to Cereal Box Alley, the seedy side of town. There he interviews a potato who tells him that Leek is a suspect. The trail leads to the Carton Egg section and eventually to the Soda Can Diner. Eventually Rye solves the mystery after the plot takes a surprising turn.
There is lots of humor and some clever lines filled with creative analogies and plays on words. This beginning chapter book is perfect for reluctant readers. Clever characters, mystery, and humor set up a winning combination. Recommended especially for seven to ten year old readers.

[Ursula · Rating 5 out of 5]

 
This is so much FUN! I like gangster stories, and this is definitely a perfectly G-rated gangster tale! :D AJ does it again with cleverness and class! Read it. Enjoy!
 

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bread isn’t your usual run-of-the-mill detective. He’s been around the block a few times, and the moment Floret walks into the Private Rye office, Bread knows something’s up.

I love the language Cosmo used in this book. Everything was written with the eye of a detective – a humorous detective. It’s easy to see how this appeals to middle grades students, and a great introduction to the crime genre.

As the plot unfolds, and Bread and Butter follow Floret’s story on a wild goose chase, Bread already has it figured out. Although the Private Rye team suffers a casualty, it doesn’t keep the good men down, and they are hot on the trail of the culprit.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book by this author so far! It was Food Noir. This would have been so much fun to read to my kids. It was so much fun to read to me!