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Arthur Chapter Books #1
Arthur's Mystery Envelope
It looks like trouble when the principal asks Arthur to take home a large envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL. His friends try to guess what's inside. It just might be information on ... summer school! Will Arthur face the consequences or pretend to lose the envelope? - In chapter book format, for children who are ready to read on their own, this mysterious adventure will surely be a hit among Arthur fans.
64 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1998
31 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Marc Brown
558 books388 followersMarc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.
He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.
He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 29, 2017
Age: Grades 3-5
Genre: Modern Fantasy
I grew up watching the show Arthur and when the book series came out it was a good book for me to pick up and read because I have already knew the characters and story. It might be harder for students to pick up this book because Arthur is no longer on TV so it might not spark the interest of kids like it did for me. The story of Arthur is realistic because he has siblings, goes to school and does things that kids would do in their age. So it does have to qualities of a good contemporary realistic as well. I think I would put these books in my classroom to try and spark the interest of the students to read them.
Genre: Modern Fantasy
I grew up watching the show Arthur and when the book series came out it was a good book for me to pick up and read because I have already knew the characters and story. It might be harder for students to pick up this book because Arthur is no longer on TV so it might not spark the interest of kids like it did for me. The story of Arthur is realistic because he has siblings, goes to school and does things that kids would do in their age. So it does have to qualities of a good contemporary realistic as well. I think I would put these books in my classroom to try and spark the interest of the students to read them.
September 22, 2015
Description
- Arthur's Mystery Envelope It looks like trouble when the principal asks Arthur to take home a large envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL. His friends try to guess what's inside. It might just be information on...summer school! Will Arthur face the consequences or pretend to lose the envelope? In chapter-book format, for children who are ready to read on their own, this mysterious adventure will surely be a hit among Arthur fans.
My review
- This is the story about what happened in classroom. So children doesn't feel burden for this, I think. Because this is based on their experience.
- Arthur's Mystery Envelope It looks like trouble when the principal asks Arthur to take home a large envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL. His friends try to guess what's inside. It might just be information on...summer school! Will Arthur face the consequences or pretend to lose the envelope? In chapter-book format, for children who are ready to read on their own, this mysterious adventure will surely be a hit among Arthur fans.
My review
- This is the story about what happened in classroom. So children doesn't feel burden for this, I think. Because this is based on their experience.
April 2, 2021
review coming soon
October 28, 2019
Growing up, every day after school, I would rush to come just to watch the Arthur show. I love the show but I love reading Arthur books too. Arthur's mystery envelope is one of my favorite books because it is about Arthur being asked to take home a big envelope that the school principal gives him. His friends try to figure out what the envelope could be since it says "confidential" but Arthur doesn't know if whether he should pretend to lose the envelope or face the consequences and give the envelope to his parents. Such a mystery book, I LOVE IT.
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November 11, 2020Fantasy Fiction
Independent
I would use the Arthur series as an independent read. I could assign pages to read for homework and have a class discussion after. If I incorporated the series we could read them in a row and reflect on what we learned. I enjoyed reading this book and think it would be great for young students.
November 2020
Independent
I would use the Arthur series as an independent read. I could assign pages to read for homework and have a class discussion after. If I incorporated the series we could read them in a row and reflect on what we learned. I enjoyed reading this book and think it would be great for young students.
November 2020
December 11, 2024
Very appropriate for young kids. Good story about learning to do the right thing even if there might be bad consequences. Good plot development, too, I had to read ahead because I was curious.
Spoiler: the mystery envelope contained the principal’s tax documents because he’s Arthur’s mom’s client and she was going to do his taxes.
Spoiler: the mystery envelope contained the principal’s tax documents because he’s Arthur’s mom’s client and she was going to do his taxes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2018
My daughter loved it (5) and we had a great time reading it together. She kept saying "Arthur would feel better if he told his mommy" so I feel it's also a good moral story as well as entertaining. For Arthur fans, it doesn't disappoint!
February 21, 2021
I like this book about What's inside the envelope the principal gives to Arthur. Arthur imagines all kinds of BAD things that might be inside the envelope. It was a fun story and Arthur does the right thing in the end and the Mystery is solved.
February 15, 2021
Was Marc Brown a writer on Lost? He somehow was able to stretch a tale about"What's in the envelope?" over ten chapters.
February 15, 2021
This was a fun read for my youngest daughter. I watched the show as a kid and I love introducing these same characters to my kids.
January 4, 2025
Su mamá estaba buscando el sobre.
December 28, 2025
Found this one at the thrift store and grabbed it for nostalgia. I remember reading this one and it's still cute for those growing up and learning to read.
March 4, 2026
I've been collecting the Arthur books for my future children because I grew up with them. Very cute, easy, and short reads for young kids. The book series is short but gets to the point where young readers won't be distracted. In this book, the moral lesson is to make sure you tell your parents what is going on at school just in case your principle needs help filing taxes or in case something is going on with the student. It also shows to trust your parents and tell them what is going on, school or not and do not hide the truth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2013
Arthur's Mystery Envelope is a charming book that follows Arthur the Aardvark as he gets a note from the principal to take home to his mother. Arthur spends all day fretting about the consequences he will face when he gets home due to the mystery contents of the envelope. All of Arthur's friends hypothesize about what is in the envelope, which makes Arthus panic even more. When Arthur's mom finally opens the envelope, after almost losing it, the contents surprise everyone and leave Arthur out of trouble.
I think this book would be great for a classroom library and is easily relatable for students. All students find themselves in apprehensive situations and this book teaches a great lesson. Don't avoid the truth, it will only come back to haunt you.
I would use this book as a supplementary text in teaching students how to write letters. I think it would be really fun to have students write each other letters (proof read of couse for appropriateness and making sure students were using kind words) and then deliver them one afternoon for students to take home and read.
I think this book would be great for a classroom library and is easily relatable for students. All students find themselves in apprehensive situations and this book teaches a great lesson. Don't avoid the truth, it will only come back to haunt you.
I would use this book as a supplementary text in teaching students how to write letters. I think it would be really fun to have students write each other letters (proof read of couse for appropriateness and making sure students were using kind words) and then deliver them one afternoon for students to take home and read.
July 18, 2016
Oh the anxious anticipation of the dreaded note from school. But this is a big envelope and Arthur hasn't done anything wrong, has he?
This is a funny story in the Arthur Chapter book series and is was short enough and engaging enough for us to read all at one time.
It's a good lesson about not putting off talking to your parents when you are upset or nervous about something, especially since it may turn out to be nothing at all. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
July 2016 update: Listened to Mark Linn-Baker narrate this story as part of a 4-story Anniversary collection audio CD. Still as entertaining as ever and it kept the six-year-old traveling with us engaged for the entire trip.
This is a funny story in the Arthur Chapter book series and is was short enough and engaging enough for us to read all at one time.
It's a good lesson about not putting off talking to your parents when you are upset or nervous about something, especially since it may turn out to be nothing at all. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
July 2016 update: Listened to Mark Linn-Baker narrate this story as part of a 4-story Anniversary collection audio CD. Still as entertaining as ever and it kept the six-year-old traveling with us engaged for the entire trip.
October 30, 2013
Interest Level: 3-5
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.5
Lexile Measure: 370L
Arthur's principal calls him to the office and gives him a yellow envelope that is labeled "confidential." The principal tells Arthur that it's for his mom but he doesn't tell Arthur what it is. Arthur now thinks that he is in trouble and that there is a possibility that he might have to go to summer school. The book tells us that his mom is an accountant and when she gets home she has a phone call with someone telling them that she is trying to reach the principal but she uses his name instead. Arthur doesn't know his first name so he has no idea that what is in the envelope is his principal's tax information. Advanced readers will figure it towards the middle of the book because there are clues that predict the end.
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.5
Lexile Measure: 370L
Arthur's principal calls him to the office and gives him a yellow envelope that is labeled "confidential." The principal tells Arthur that it's for his mom but he doesn't tell Arthur what it is. Arthur now thinks that he is in trouble and that there is a possibility that he might have to go to summer school. The book tells us that his mom is an accountant and when she gets home she has a phone call with someone telling them that she is trying to reach the principal but she uses his name instead. Arthur doesn't know his first name so he has no idea that what is in the envelope is his principal's tax information. Advanced readers will figure it towards the middle of the book because there are clues that predict the end.
October 20, 2013
Reading Level Equivalent: 3.5
Summary: Arthur is a nervous wreck after he is called down to the principal's office and given an envelope to deliver to his mother. Arthur has no idea what is in the envelope, but his friends brainstorm about what may be inside. In this mystery, Arthur must not only discover what's in the envelope, but also himself. He must decide whether to deliver the envelope or not(since it might be a bad report about Arthur), or do what he knows in his heart is right thing.
Lesson Integration: This book can be utilized to teach the fundamental principles of honesty and responsibility to the children. The story presents the conflicting emotions that Arthur feels and the difficult decision he must make, in order to do his duty. He must be responsible and honest to his mother and principal, even if the news within the envelope is troublesome.
Summary: Arthur is a nervous wreck after he is called down to the principal's office and given an envelope to deliver to his mother. Arthur has no idea what is in the envelope, but his friends brainstorm about what may be inside. In this mystery, Arthur must not only discover what's in the envelope, but also himself. He must decide whether to deliver the envelope or not(since it might be a bad report about Arthur), or do what he knows in his heart is right thing.
Lesson Integration: This book can be utilized to teach the fundamental principles of honesty and responsibility to the children. The story presents the conflicting emotions that Arthur feels and the difficult decision he must make, in order to do his duty. He must be responsible and honest to his mother and principal, even if the news within the envelope is troublesome.
August 7, 2009
These Arthur chapter books, beginning with this one, will for the most part be well liked by Arthur fans despite the fact that Marc Brown is not the author. Stephen Krensky sticks to the television scripts well and reshapes the humor of the episodes into book form with substantial skill. The result in this particular book is a story that is as entertaining on the page as it is on the small screen.
July 14, 2012
Nice transition from the picturebooks and easy readers to a beginning chapter book. Does not give a lot of background or character information so if you don't know a lot about the characters your experience reading the book will be different from a reader who has read and knows the piturebooks and easy readers.
January 20, 2010
Riley enjoys the Arthur stories, but they can be a little long. We break them down and just read a chapter or 2 at a time, which helps, but even then, they sometimes 'veer' from the main point and I lose him! But good 'mystery' overall!
July 16, 2013
This is a great beginner chapter book series for young readers. They are already familiar with the characters because of TV and picture books so this is a great next step. The books are short, but still have a plot to follow. Both boys and girls will enjoy this series.
March 22, 2015
A well-written, easy read about the Arthur's anxiety over a confidential letter from his principal to his mother, and how he handles the various dilemmas it entails. A fine tale with a well-handled moral.
November 26, 2019
Arthur is asked to take home a big envelope that the school principal gives him. Arthur doesn't know if he should pretend to lose the envelope or face the consequences and give the envelope to his parents.
March 15, 2008
Arthur learns that you can't hide the truth and that he should never keep a secret from his Mom. A good message, and my kids enjoyed the story.
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March 18, 2008JF Bro
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May 2, 2008i haven't read any of the books at least i dont think i have maybe just one ot three but i just like to watch the shoew mostly
June 12, 2008
My favorite part was when the principal was giving the package to Arthur and he thought he was going to be in trouble so Arthur was asking his friends advice...
January 22, 2009
This was a fun book to read with Ruth. It's a mystery with a topic suitable for young preschoolers. Quick read and interesting for all those involved. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews