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Mystery in the Pirate Oak
Chad and Ellie discover they are not alone in their search for a silver box with unknown contents, placed in the hollow of an oak tree sixty years earlier. Illustrated by Robert Doremus.
114 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 1949
About the author
Helen Fuller Orton
44 books10 followersOrton began writing at 48 when her children had grown up and her love of history and historical research informed many of her books. Her goal was to include history in the lives of ordinary people so her books often featured historical mysteries. She lived much of her life in the New York City area.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 14, 2010
I'm reading this blast from the past to my daughter, and it's such a hoot. It is SO different from the Junie B. and Babysitter's Club series that are popular now.
The two main characters in this book apparently wake up every morning and do their chores, eat breakfast with their mother and then go help the elderly woman across the street by mowing her lawn or bringing her mail. She then gives them milk and cookies while they happily listen to stories of her youth.
On summer afternoons he and his sister sit companionably on the porch while he looks over his stamp collection and she sews stylish clothes for her dolls. Or else they play chinese checkers in their tree house. Tonight I was amused when the book took an opportunity to specifically point out the boy is a Boy Scout, and how he applied his first aid knowledge.
Was life ever really like this, or is the depiction as fictional as the plot? Do we set ourselves up for disappointment if we dream of living this kind of blissful existence?
Regardless, it's a fun story and my daughter is just as anxious to solve the mystery as I was when I read it as a child.
The two main characters in this book apparently wake up every morning and do their chores, eat breakfast with their mother and then go help the elderly woman across the street by mowing her lawn or bringing her mail. She then gives them milk and cookies while they happily listen to stories of her youth.
On summer afternoons he and his sister sit companionably on the porch while he looks over his stamp collection and she sews stylish clothes for her dolls. Or else they play chinese checkers in their tree house. Tonight I was amused when the book took an opportunity to specifically point out the boy is a Boy Scout, and how he applied his first aid knowledge.
Was life ever really like this, or is the depiction as fictional as the plot? Do we set ourselves up for disappointment if we dream of living this kind of blissful existence?
Regardless, it's a fun story and my daughter is just as anxious to solve the mystery as I was when I read it as a child.
February 6, 2013
I always appreciate writers who gave their stories to us a long time ago and don’t judge social differences. A story is current when it is published, after all. I forgive the bizarre dialogue of "Mystery In The Pirate Oak" not just because Helen Fuller Orton wrote it in 1949. She was elderly and died just six years later. Perhaps Chad and Ellie’s expressions aren't so strange, considering their author was born in 1872! The history of postage stamps that she talks about, had just begun!
I learned a lot, am fond of the neighbour Grandma Hale, and the children's mother earning their living alone. There’s an excellent plot: a lady returns to her childhood house, to find a silver box she left in an oak tree. My review is regretfully low, because the details didn’t come together in a way that made sense. I will minimize direct discussion of plots as I explain. My Dad has a variety of childhood pictures although I imagine they were more scarce in the 1940s. But if you only had one picture of your brother and he passed away; wouldn't you go and get it as soon as possible? Perhaps write a letter to neighbours?
At the end, Grandma Hale remarks she's never seen an ocean. However we're told it is only 5 miles away. Surely there was occasion to see it, even a detour when her Grandson brought her back. The largest detail is that Chad and Ellie are pessimistic about the silver box, declaring it probably isn't there after sixty years. Any kid would jump for joy to go on a search but they are nonchalant, until they are banned from the tree. If this were re-written a bit, it would be a lot of fun in any day and age.
I learned a lot, am fond of the neighbour Grandma Hale, and the children's mother earning their living alone. There’s an excellent plot: a lady returns to her childhood house, to find a silver box she left in an oak tree. My review is regretfully low, because the details didn’t come together in a way that made sense. I will minimize direct discussion of plots as I explain. My Dad has a variety of childhood pictures although I imagine they were more scarce in the 1940s. But if you only had one picture of your brother and he passed away; wouldn't you go and get it as soon as possible? Perhaps write a letter to neighbours?
At the end, Grandma Hale remarks she's never seen an ocean. However we're told it is only 5 miles away. Surely there was occasion to see it, even a detour when her Grandson brought her back. The largest detail is that Chad and Ellie are pessimistic about the silver box, declaring it probably isn't there after sixty years. Any kid would jump for joy to go on a search but they are nonchalant, until they are banned from the tree. If this were re-written a bit, it would be a lot of fun in any day and age.
September 11, 2024
Quite a bit of editing going on since it appears I didn't proof read it 4 years ago. I'm usually much better than that.
I read this book decades ago (about 5 of them), so my review is based on memories rather than having it in front of me. The question of what started a lifelong love of mystery stories came up in a Facebook group today and this story immediately came to mind, because it may have been the first one I ever read and I have always loved it. I was in elementary school and went on to read all of the children's mysteries available there and in the public library. I read this particular story one other time, maybe 20 years ago, and still enjoyed it. It was written in 1949 by an author who was born in 1872, so the language and characterizations feel a bit odd at this point in time, but back when I was a child it was all terribly exciting. Along with the Tom Swift books that my older brother owned (he had the entire series, I think), this book and others by the same author and her contemporaries were my introduction to mysteries. I will always have a special place in my heart for these books.
I read this book decades ago (about 5 of them), so my review is based on memories rather than having it in front of me. The question of what started a lifelong love of mystery stories came up in a Facebook group today and this story immediately came to mind, because it may have been the first one I ever read and I have always loved it. I was in elementary school and went on to read all of the children's mysteries available there and in the public library. I read this particular story one other time, maybe 20 years ago, and still enjoyed it. It was written in 1949 by an author who was born in 1872, so the language and characterizations feel a bit odd at this point in time, but back when I was a child it was all terribly exciting. Along with the Tom Swift books that my older brother owned (he had the entire series, I think), this book and others by the same author and her contemporaries were my introduction to mysteries. I will always have a special place in my heart for these books.
May 20, 2025
Darling, wholesome book. I wouldn’t rate it as high as my children, but since they are the target audience, their rating stands. I liked that there was a mean neighbor kid who (spoiler alert?) changed. The book offered great examples of how that isn’t fun to deal with, but other kids don’t have to stoop to that level.
August 29, 2019
This story doesn't flow well and the character's choices don't make sense at times. While having a working single mother seems somewhat innovative for the time, much of the story is simplistic and predictable.
July 25, 2025
This is a fun story! Yes, it was written for children, but I enjoyed it too. The mystery wasn't scary or dangerous. There were no bad guys or kids being unwise. I enjoyed Chad and Ellie and how they made friends with even those who weren't very friendly.
January 10, 2024
Average story with lots of spelling errors. Felt as though it was written by a student in primary school.
March 1, 2024
I read this book in 4th grade (1960s) and have remembered it always (hence the 5 stars). A summer mystery that involves a lost box and a stamp collection.
January 5, 2025
What a sweet story - it was one of my husband's favorite stories as a child and he found it when cleaning out his parent's house.
August 10, 2025
A bit of nostalgia. I came across Helen Fuller Orton’s books in the public library when I was about 8. At that time her books were already 25-30 years old, but I loved them.
August 29, 2015
Helen Fuller Orton is the firsts author I can remember following. I remember where they were shelved at The Frank Lloyd Wright library in Lawrence School in Springfield, IL. At the time I had no idea about Frank Lloyd Wright. I was in third grade. I read every one of her books and learned to love mysteries.
July 14, 2008
I think I read every one of Helen Fuller Orton's mysteries when I was in elementary school, and long before I ever encountered Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys. These books were instrumental in developing my love of mysteries!
September 2, 2011
I thought that it was a great mystery.
January 24, 2013
When I was a kid, I couldn't put this series down!
April 21, 2013
Dated now, but loved it as a kid.
February 2, 2015
I read this when I was young. I think it might have been the first mystery I ever read. I loved it!
July 22, 2014
Charming children's mystery. Loved the cover illustration.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews