The Mystery of the Mosaic

Greetings from Somewhere #2

by Harper Paris, Marcos Calo (Illustrator)

After arriving in Venice, Ethan and Ella embark on a high-speed gondola chase in the second book of this chapter book series about mystery, travel, and adventure.

When Ethan and Ella first land in Venice, they are in awe of all the canals and tiny little streets. They’re especially excited to look for a five-hundred-year-old-mosaic near Calle Farnese that Grandpa Harry tells them about. While the twins are out getting gelato later that day, they notice someone looking around suspiciously as he unties a gondola from a dock.

The next morning, the twins hear two gondoliers arguing, one of them accusing the other of stealing his most beautiful boat. The gondolier begs Ethan and Ella to help him find the boat. They agree, and also tell the man they need to get to Calle Farnese. Will the twins be able to find the stolen gondola and their Grandpa’s favorite mosaic...before dinner?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Chapter Books, Italy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 7, 2014

Reviews

[✦BookishlyRichie✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS!!!

Just as cute and fun as the first book. I think I enjoyed this one more because I got a sense of a real mystery, than something that was just misplaced. But I still enjoyed it. I will be reading the third book this month as well because these are such fun reads. :)

- Richard

[Leslie Mathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mystery book is a perfect way for students to discover facts about countries around the world right from their classroom! Follow Ella and her brother Ethan in their adventures through Venice in the book “Greetings From Somewhere: The Mystery of the Mosaic.” Students will learn many fun facts about Venice while joining Ella and Ethan in their quest to help their new friend Antonio recover his stolen gondola. Along the way, they receive clues from their grandfather to help them locate his favorite historic site in Venice – a beautiful mosaic high on a wall overlooking the city.

This is a “wow” book for me because it is packed full of information about the history and culture of Venice, while still being a fun and easy-to-read fiction book. For example, students will learn that “Buon Giorno” means “Hello” in Italian. They will also learn that some of the historic sites in Venice were named for Marco Polo, a famous explorer who was a native of Venice. The back pages of this book contain a glossary of Italian words that students will see throughout the book. I can tell the authors of this book wrote with a sense of intentionality to expose their readers to as much information about Venice as possible.

This is also a “wow” book for me because of the design of both the covers and illustrations in the book. The front and back covers are intended to look like a stamp or postcard. The illustrations throughout the book provide helpful details about the events of the story. Again, I can see the intentionality in the design of this book to add an informational element to a book of the mystery genre.

I will be using this book for my next read aloud in my classroom, and I could see many possibilities of ways to supplement this read aloud with other resources about the city of Venice. For example, I’d like to use Google Earth to take a virtual tour of Venice with my students. I know at the end of this book, many students will be ready to look for the other books of this series, as well! I would recommend this book for emerging readers, especially in 1st and 2nd grade.

[Veronica Precourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love it

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken]

Mom really liked this one. Eleanor said it wasn’t enough interesting.

[Linda Klinedinst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so in love with this Series - Greetings From Somewhere by Harper Paris - Mystery Series - Similar to Nancy Drew - The Hardy Boys

I have read Book #1 in this Series....I own the First Book
I have read Book #2 in this Series - Library Book

I am getting ready to read Book #3 in this Series - Library Book

There are 10 Books to this Series - the last one was published in 2016. I am getting them from my Local Library through the Evergreen Library System.

I am slowly buying these books to this Series.

I give this book 5/5 Stars

I highly recommend this Series to anybody from 11 years of age on up.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have found this series is the perfect length for to and from swim lessons with the youngest and she LOVES mysteries. We Finished this book and she was like NEXT ONE!!!!! She (6 years old) has been easily able to follow the story, pick up on the clues and remember the details. It holds her attention so well that my always talking child STOPS talking to listen to the book. Her input is that she loves that they automatically tell you what the more challenging and unfamiliar words mean (but in a way that makes sense to the story) and that she gets to learn more about other countries as we listen.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read for my Grade 2 child. She enjoyed reading a chapter each night before bed. She’s asked to read the entire series. Anything that sparks the joy of reading for any kid is a win in my books.

As a parent I enjoyed the history and geography that was brought through the pages. The Italian terminology was a bonus.

We were all saying “ti amo” (I love you) before bed every night after reading this book.

[Liza · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first book in this series was good... this one is not. The twins end up in Venice, Italy. They don’t know their way around and Sneak our workout telling their parents. They get on a gondola with two men they don’t know and thankful nothing really bad happens. In the ends, they don’t get in trouble for sneaking out and are proud of what they did. I don’t think these are good ideas to put into kids heads.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella and Ethan have arrived in Venice, Italy and are in awe of their surroundings. While in Venice they solve two mysteries. The first mystery was helping their new friend, Antonio, find his stolen gondola. The second mystery is finding the mosaic that their grandfather sent them to find after leaving home in the US.

I like that my son learned more about Venice, Italy, more Italian words, history, and culture.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read about a homeschooled family and their travels. There was some deception and sneaking by the children. It would have been best for them to set an example to young readers to come clean, tell the truth and take responsibility for their behavior.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my kids in preparation for our trip to Venice in a few months. I loved how the book interwove historically significant aspects of the city with a fun narrative. The plot is nothing too exciting but it is the perfect read if you want to teach your children about Venice.

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fine for the intended audience, but utterly lacking in any of the twists and reveals of a typical mystery, even for kids. Honestly, we've read I Can Read mystery books that had at least one little surprise, which is more than we've experienced with this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this series of books to Andrew while he was in 2nd grade. These books were just ok, not our top favorites, but I did love that it taught him about geography and about the country or town where the story took place.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another cute story that I feel is the perfect level for my almost 5 year old. This is about the kids time in Venice and I love that we learn more about the place, as well as have a little mystery or mission to fuel the plot.

[Wandee’s Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm gonna suspend my disbelief that the kids didn't struggle getting around in Italy due to language barrier. The story was ok the mystery wasn't that interesting if I'm being honest but the family was charming as ever

[Rachita · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

[Nam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to be introduced to some of the culture and history of Venice.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't need to read the series in order.

[Nimish Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

L

[Qduy88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good children book

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Half likes it” - Parker

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erin really enjoys these. I'm starting to learn that she doesn't like cliff hangers at the end of chapters so "just one more chapter, please, mom!!" usually turns into two more chapters.

[Tvisha C · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS this book is very very good. They find something that they didn’t know about and still found it using just two clues, it’s a very interesting book

[Tower Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

M and P

[Megan Herold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book, it was a quick read, the characters are homeschooled so it’s relatable for us and it was wholesome.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: Kids go out without parents' permission and there are no repercussions for it - in fact, they are rewarded as they solve their mystery during that time.

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great easy chapter book, lots of pictures and short chapters. The information on Venice was a great starting off point for young readers and was well put together.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan & Ella go to Venice, solve a mystery, and find a hidden mosaic that their grandfather loves . . .

[Ethan Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved this book! Was looking for early chapter books that were not so "girl" focused...this was it!

[Ali]

B rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️