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A to Z Mysteries #14
The Ninth Nugget
Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are spending a week at a dude ranch. Everything is normal in a cowboy kind of way-until Josh finds a huge gold nugget Just as they are deciding what to do with their newfound riches, the nugget disappears. Will the kids be able to track down the thief before it's time to mosey on home?
87 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
251 people are currently reading
851 people want to read
About the author
Ron Roy
249 books386 followersRon Roy has been writing books for children since 1974. He is the author of dozens of books, including the popular A to Z Mysteries®, Calendar Mysteries, and Capital Mysteries. When not working on a new book, Ron likes to teach tricks to his dog Pal, play poker with friends, travel, and read thrilling mystery books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
January 13, 2021
My 10-year-old liked this introduction to the “A to Z Mysteries” series, while I pondered the following questions:
Why are authors who write middle grades fiction obsessed with the words “peered” and “glanced?”
How old are these three protagonists, Ruth Rose, Dink and Josh, and why did their respective parents allow them to fly alone from Connecticut to Montana?
How many kids visit “dude ranches,” during the school year, without their parents?
How stupid are these parents, to let their almost-teen daughter bunk alone in a cabin with two almost-teen boys?
The 12-year-old: “Revolting. Two stars.”
The middle-aged mom: “Call the editor.”
The 10-year-old: “I liked it! Four stars.”
Why are authors who write middle grades fiction obsessed with the words “peered” and “glanced?”
How old are these three protagonists, Ruth Rose, Dink and Josh, and why did their respective parents allow them to fly alone from Connecticut to Montana?
How many kids visit “dude ranches,” during the school year, without their parents?
How stupid are these parents, to let their almost-teen daughter bunk alone in a cabin with two almost-teen boys?
The 12-year-old: “Revolting. Two stars.”
The middle-aged mom: “Call the editor.”
The 10-year-old: “I liked it! Four stars.”
October 10, 2019
Josh finds a big gold and it gets stoling
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2015
A Solid, Dude Ranch Themed, Chapter Book Mystery
I read one of Ron Roy's "A to Z" mysteries, ("The Falcon's Feathers"), and was so impressed that I grabbed another to see if the whole series was as accomplished as that sample. That second book was just as good, so now I pick one up every now and then just to check in. I'm happy to report that this "N" volume was just as entertaining, and the series remains strong.
Roy has three sets of mysteries. The "A to Z" mysteries, (26 volumes for the 26 letters and then three bonus volumes), are for older chapter book readers. The "Calendar" mysteries, (surprise - 12 volumes), are for younger readers and, in a clever twist, feature the younger siblings of the protagonists from the "A to Z" set. The third series features mysteries that take place at various national landmarks in Washington, D.C.
The "A to Z" books showcase an appealing set of characters, fair mystery plots, a bit of action and decent secondary characters. They are like junior versions of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries. They have younger heroes, they are much briefer, there are fewer twists and turns, there's a bit less danger, and the mysteries are a bit tamer. But that said, they have the same corresponding strengths. The three heroes, (Josh, Dink and Ruth Rose), play equal roles, with no apparent bias between boys and girls. There is the same kidding friendship among them. Adults are generally dependable, (when they aren't the villain in disguise). There is a good balance between clue hunting, figuring things out, and being chased and trapped. The mysteries are conventional, but I mean that in a good way - clues are fair, red herrings are fair, and the resolutions are logical. There are some convenient coincidences, but that's par for the course, especially in a relatively short chapter book.
In this book we have an extended and colorful build up of a dude ranch setting and then the theft of a valuable gold nugget. Who dunnit? How? It had to be a guest at the dude ranch, so we have a cowboy version of a classic country-house mystery. Set up the suspects, discover the crime, collect clues, think it through, nab the villain.
These aren't kiddie books and they aren't silly. They treat the young chapter book reader with a lot of respect and I would expect they would be a satisfying read for that youngster. I doubt you can ask for much more than that at this level and I could see a kid just eating these up.
Please note that I bought this book as a gift for a grandchild and sneaked a read before wrapping it up. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
I read one of Ron Roy's "A to Z" mysteries, ("The Falcon's Feathers"), and was so impressed that I grabbed another to see if the whole series was as accomplished as that sample. That second book was just as good, so now I pick one up every now and then just to check in. I'm happy to report that this "N" volume was just as entertaining, and the series remains strong.
Roy has three sets of mysteries. The "A to Z" mysteries, (26 volumes for the 26 letters and then three bonus volumes), are for older chapter book readers. The "Calendar" mysteries, (surprise - 12 volumes), are for younger readers and, in a clever twist, feature the younger siblings of the protagonists from the "A to Z" set. The third series features mysteries that take place at various national landmarks in Washington, D.C.
The "A to Z" books showcase an appealing set of characters, fair mystery plots, a bit of action and decent secondary characters. They are like junior versions of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries. They have younger heroes, they are much briefer, there are fewer twists and turns, there's a bit less danger, and the mysteries are a bit tamer. But that said, they have the same corresponding strengths. The three heroes, (Josh, Dink and Ruth Rose), play equal roles, with no apparent bias between boys and girls. There is the same kidding friendship among them. Adults are generally dependable, (when they aren't the villain in disguise). There is a good balance between clue hunting, figuring things out, and being chased and trapped. The mysteries are conventional, but I mean that in a good way - clues are fair, red herrings are fair, and the resolutions are logical. There are some convenient coincidences, but that's par for the course, especially in a relatively short chapter book.
In this book we have an extended and colorful build up of a dude ranch setting and then the theft of a valuable gold nugget. Who dunnit? How? It had to be a guest at the dude ranch, so we have a cowboy version of a classic country-house mystery. Set up the suspects, discover the crime, collect clues, think it through, nab the villain.
These aren't kiddie books and they aren't silly. They treat the young chapter book reader with a lot of respect and I would expect they would be a satisfying read for that youngster. I doubt you can ask for much more than that at this level and I could see a kid just eating these up.
Please note that I bought this book as a gift for a grandchild and sneaked a read before wrapping it up. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
May 22, 2013
"The Ninth Nugget" by Ron Roy is a book about an adventure that Josh, Dink and Ruth Rose have when they go to visit a dude ranch in Montana. While they were there they panned for gold with all the guests of the ranch. Everyone found a gold nugget except Dink, so he moved upstream. While there, he fell in the water and found a nugget the size of a potato. When they returned to the cabin, Pa Wheat, the owner of the ranch, offered to keep the nugget in his safe in the kitchen. The next morning a thief came into the kitchen and bound and gagged Lulu, the cook, and then proceeded to steal the nugget from the safe. Read the book to find out how Josh, Dink and Ruth Rose solve this mystery. I felt this book was a fairly good book and would recommend it to children ages 8-12 or anyone who enjoys a mystery.
December 10, 2012
My 5 year old loved this and wants to read the other books in this series. It was a slow starting mystery, but there was a mystery and that's what my son will tell you his favorite kind of books are. He was so excited that he was able to figure out who the bad guy was and he even explained how he knew. So not only do I need to find the rest of the books in this series, we need to go "hunting" for gold as well!
February 24, 2018
I am reading this series in audio, for free on Overdrive. (Go libraries!) The audio is in collections of 3 or 4 books each. The collection with this book is K-N, 4 books, and all four have been 1-star books. If I had not grabbed most of a set of the series for my nephews I would have already stopped but as it stands I will get the next collection from overdrive and probably then stop. This series started out so well, and I will awknowledge that writing short mysteries for children and solved in-universe with children is asking a lot, but with a prescribed end (not an unending series) I am disappointed in how it has turned.
- Only 1 female horse of 9? And "the gentlest ride", for the girl MC. Why not just leave the girl in Green Lawn and save the writer more effort?
- How is a bad ankle a reason not to ride? Hobbling back to a cabin is more on the ankle than riding would be. At least sit on the horse and have someone lead it back.
- Breaking News: Children who have never ridden before (and were given no instruction and told to lead) have ZERO soreness after riding. Bullshit.
- More missing obvious questions/clues
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- Only 1 female horse of 9? And "the gentlest ride", for the girl MC. Why not just leave the girl in Green Lawn and save the writer more effort?
- How is a bad ankle a reason not to ride? Hobbling back to a cabin is more on the ankle than riding would be. At least sit on the horse and have someone lead it back.
- Breaking News: Children who have never ridden before (and were given no instruction and told to lead) have ZERO soreness after riding. Bullshit.
- More missing obvious questions/clues
-
January 11, 2022
This book is the best one yet because its mystery and its about these kids who go to a ranch to spend a few day there and one of the kids named Josh found a nugget and someone stole it when they were gone and I thought it was this guy named thumbs but it was actually a magician named ed i believe and I had no clue because he didn´t seem inocent but overall this is the best book i have read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2022
Grazie a questo libro ho sempre sognato di trascorrere una vacanza in un ranch e di trovare una grossa pepita d'oro
November 6, 2014
This book is a teaching book and easy to follow. What I like about this book is they went gold mining and Josh got a nugget. What I did not get is how in the world can Ed get a safe open without a combination. No one knew Ed and never gave him a combination. This book is about three friends on a adventure. They were helping a friend out when his lottery ticket was stolen. It was a winner and they found the ticket. For a reward they go on a trip to Montana at a ranch.
When they were at this Wheat Ranch they learned new things. When they were there, they did at least two trips. Their first one was horse riding. The three friends did not know how to ride a horse. Jud quickly showed the three friends how to ride a horse. The second trip was to a stream to do pan mining. The type of pan mining they did was gold mining. Thumbs showed them what they needed to do and what not to do. Josh got tired after an hour and went up stream. Find out what happens to Josh’s big gold nugget.
The setting is Bozman Montana at Wheat Ranch. They came from Greenfield Connecticut. The story's time period is modern time.
I recommend this book to little kids. This book is a mystery and a fun to read. It has everything that a kid would like such as horses and adventures. It's a book to make the kids think and laugh.
When they were at this Wheat Ranch they learned new things. When they were there, they did at least two trips. Their first one was horse riding. The three friends did not know how to ride a horse. Jud quickly showed the three friends how to ride a horse. The second trip was to a stream to do pan mining. The type of pan mining they did was gold mining. Thumbs showed them what they needed to do and what not to do. Josh got tired after an hour and went up stream. Find out what happens to Josh’s big gold nugget.
The setting is Bozman Montana at Wheat Ranch. They came from Greenfield Connecticut. The story's time period is modern time.
I recommend this book to little kids. This book is a mystery and a fun to read. It has everything that a kid would like such as horses and adventures. It's a book to make the kids think and laugh.
May 16, 2013
"The Ninth Nugget" is a book about three friends named Josh, Dink, and Ruth Rose. They travel to a dude ranch for a week. One day into the camp the three go panning for gold. Josh finds a nugget the size of a potato. The owner of the ranch locks the nugget up and says he wiill take Josh to town the next day to get it appraised. The next day the friends go out on a horseback ride. When they come back some of the workers are tied up and Josh's gold nugget is gone. They three friends look for clues on who stole the nugget. They find the robber. Can they find a way to stop him? This book is recommended for kids who love mysteries and love the A to Z Mysteries series.
May 10, 2013
This book was a bit predictable, but had a good plot line. The author gave away what was going to happen too easily. It was obvious who stole the nugget after Josh put it in a safe. I rated this book three out of five stars, because it had a good plot and it was predictable. I would recommend this book to younger readers around the age of thirteen and boys and girls would enjoy this book. This mystery book did not keep me on my toes like Ron Roy’s other mysteries, but it was still very enjoyable
May 24, 2013
I read "The Ninth Nugget", by Ron Roy. In this book three kids named, Josh, Dink, and Ruth Rose go to a cowboy camp in the west. The three kids go out, and pan for gold. Then Dink finds a golden nugget the size of a potatoe, but it gets stolen. The three kids try to figure out who the thief is throughout the story, and eventually do. I would reccomend this book to anyone interested in a good mystery, or for ages 13 and under, because its not that difficult of a book to read.
February 13, 2013
I enjoyed the mystery to this book. It's about a boy and his two other friends who go to camp where they pan for gold. One boy finds a gigantic nugget of gold, but it gets stolen. The case to solve the mystery on who stole the nugget is on-going. I suggest this book to anyone who likes mystery books.
May 17, 2013
Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are spending a weekend at a ranch. One day they are all out gold mining in the river close by, and Josh strikes rich with a chunk of gold the size of a potato. A couple days later the gold was stolen, and the kids are determined to find who took it. I recommend this book to everybody in high school and younger, because its fun to read but it is pretty childish.
October 25, 2016
This a amazed stories, how interesting it is. Josh actually finds his gold nuggets. He was holding a chunk of gold the size such as potato. But he decide to leave the gold in Ma and Pa's house. He want them sell it and use the money to save the ranch.
March 6, 2023
I thought the book was an awesome one. I was able to visualize what events were happening. I love how Josh has a funny personality, and he has different ideas about funny things. I love how Ruth Rose is optimistic, and she predicts smart thoughts of who is at fault, and why. Dink is a rather smart boy, with the abilities to think of ideas of how he can do things with his friends. In this book, the kids all work together to find out who stole something valuable. Find out what it is, and find out who is the one at fault! I’m going to make a Youtube channel, so make sure to subscribe! Always make sure you are healthy and active, and enjoy reading exciting books about certain things that you love. If you want a challenge, read two hours a day!
I recommend this book for kids because it is funny, appropriate, and the kids in the book are optimistically inclined! It is awesome to see people wonder around the world, and it is nice to read mysteries and think about the possibilities that can happen.
I recommend this book for kids because it is funny, appropriate, and the kids in the book are optimistically inclined! It is awesome to see people wonder around the world, and it is nice to read mysteries and think about the possibilities that can happen.
June 23, 2018
My 6-year-old daughter says:
I liked it because you get to hear a story that Thumbs (one of the characters) told. I liked it also because Josh found a nugget.
My 4-year-old son says:
I liked it because the nugget was super big, but nugget means small. Josh found a big nugget but that can't be real.
Mom says:
Despite the linguistic controversy concerning the word "nugget" this one was a fun one for the kids. I got to feel smug because I worked out the mystery pretty early. (That happens in many of the A-Z books for me because I'm basically Poirot).
I liked it because you get to hear a story that Thumbs (one of the characters) told. I liked it also because Josh found a nugget.
My 4-year-old son says:
I liked it because the nugget was super big, but nugget means small. Josh found a big nugget but that can't be real.
Mom says:
Despite the linguistic controversy concerning the word "nugget" this one was a fun one for the kids. I got to feel smug because I worked out the mystery pretty early. (That happens in many of the A-Z books for me because I'm basically Poirot).
April 26, 2019
Read these books when I was a kid and greatly enjoyed them, figured I'd give them a second read for kicks.
I certainly recommend any young mysteries fan devote time to this series, it's certainly a grand adventure for a young mind, the imagery of Ron Roy's words and his settings and unique character descriptions and personalities really help kids imagine a whole movie in their heads as they read each exciting page.
I certainly recommend any young mysteries fan devote time to this series, it's certainly a grand adventure for a young mind, the imagery of Ron Roy's words and his settings and unique character descriptions and personalities really help kids imagine a whole movie in their heads as they read each exciting page.
October 11, 2019
I think this book is not that good. The book is about how the kids go panning for gold on there trip. Josh is the only one that can't find gold so he goes up the river to look. Eventually he finds a big gold nugget, but someone steals it and they have to go get it back. One of the theme is value your belongings. I learned nothing form this book and I did not enjoy reading. I would recommend this to kids that don't have taste.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2020
After helping Lucky O'Leary find his missing lottery ticket, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are rewarded with an all expense paid trip to spend a week at Wheat Dude Ranch in Bozeman Montana. While panning for gold, Josh finds a huge nugget, but it is stolen from the ranch's safe where it was put for safe keeping. The trio now must follow the clues to recover the stolen loot, and unmask the thief.
October 24, 2020
I read this with my six year old daughter, she gave it four stars. She says it's a good book. "I liked this part," she says pointing to the book's exciting ending.
I thought it was around 3 stars, just because we didn't get to the actual mystery until the middle of the book. It was fun taking a Montana vacation with the gang.
I thought it was around 3 stars, just because we didn't get to the actual mystery until the middle of the book. It was fun taking a Montana vacation with the gang.
June 25, 2018
I guessed the answer. I think it was awesome that Thumbs turned out to be so friendly, and Josh was amazing when he left his gold to the ranch. Not many kids would do that; not even many adults would.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2020
Some mild language, lying and laughing about it, jokes about kissing... Wish there were more books out there for a 6-year-old that were actually appropriate for a 6-year-old. (Book says “Ages 6-9” on the back.) Sigh.
January 15, 2021
The kids are using their lottery reward to head to a real ranch and live the cowboy life. While there one of them finds a huge gold nugget which gets stolen. Can they find the culprit before it's too late. Elmentary
October 14, 2023
he was suspicious from the start
I guessed who the thief was as soon as they introduced everyone in the story. It’s funny that just the description of people now tells me who is who. It’s always someone you wouldn’t suspect.
I guessed who the thief was as soon as they introduced everyone in the story. It’s funny that just the description of people now tells me who is who. It’s always someone you wouldn’t suspect.
November 5, 2023
This mystery was actually pretty good.
-- This is a series review. --
I love this series. The kids are solving real mysteries around their neighborhood (as opposed to their siblings), and they find out things that the adults couldn't.
-- End series review --
-- This is a series review. --
I love this series. The kids are solving real mysteries around their neighborhood (as opposed to their siblings), and they find out things that the adults couldn't.
-- End series review --
October 19, 2017
This mystery takes place on a dude ranch where one of the activities is panning for gold. I like the kids in these stories and I think the mysteries are fun.
November 19, 2017
I would want to keep my nugget with me so no one would take it. Plus also Thumbs would creep me out a bit.
November 27, 2017
I want to go to a dude ranch!
May 26, 2019
The best
Kids loved the tricks in the book and always a good series to read with the kids. Thank you Ron Roy!
Kids loved the tricks in the book and always a good series to read with the kids. Thank you Ron Roy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews