The Missing Baseball

The Zach & Zoe Mysteries #1

by Mike Lupica

Perfect for fans of Cam Jansen, #1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica begins an exciting new chapter-book series, featuring his trademark sports action and heart, and a lovable twin brother-sister duo who solve sports-related mysteries.There's nothing eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe Walker love more than playing sports and solving mysteries. And when those two worlds collide . . . well, it doesn't get any better than that. So when a baseball signed by Zach's favorite major league player suddenly goes missing--the search is on! Luckily, amateur sleuths Zach and Zoe are on the case. Can they solve the mystery and find the ball before it's lost for good?In this first book of the Zach and Zoe Mysteries, bestselling author Mike Lupica begins a series for a new and younger audience, introducing readers to a sports-loving detective duo who can swing for the fences and catch the culprit in one fell swoop. With a recipe equal parts sports and mystery, the Zach and Zoe Mysteries break fresh ground for an author who has been called the greatest sportswriter for kids.

Genres: Sports, Mystery, Chapter Books, Childrens, Baseball, Realistic Fiction

76 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2018

About the author

Michael Lupica is an author and American newspaper columnist, best known for his provocative commentary on sports in the New York Daily News and his appearances on ESPN.

Reviews

[Blaire Malkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. My son liked this and we were able to finish it in just a couple of nights, but I found the lessons about being a good sport too heavy handed. E.g. “like my dad always says, sports are about having fun.” It was filled with platitudes about being a good friend and person and how that’s better than winning. Lots of showing the lesson and then explicitly explaining it. Of course my son immediately wanted to start the next in the series -so appealed a lot to my sports loving 7 year old.

[LeeLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really think my students will like this book series. I was happy to see the kindness portrayed in this book. The brother and sister get along and encourage each other. They are happy for the each other when they win and are not bad sports when they lose. I also liked that Zach wanted the new boy to get a chance at a shot, so he passed the ball to him.

[Carrie Strine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brother and Sister Duo who have a dad that used to play professional sports but is now a sports broadcaster.

Easy reader - not super mysterious but might be a selection for sporty kids as the author is well known for his sports stories.

[Sara-Zoe Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, ok - there is a lot of focus on the characters themselves - this would be much more of a character book than a mystery really. 7/30 #30booksummer

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good elementary mystery with plausible plot and resolution - sporty theme and characters widens the appeal

[Lisa D]

Cute sports/ mystery series for elementary age kids! Loved it! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I listened to this on audio. The narrator was great. This story is masterfully told. Zach and Zoe have a mystery to solve, they have classmates and teammates to interact with, and they have supportive parents. I have read a few Mike Lupica stories for upper elementary and teens, so I shouldn't be surprised at how great this was. But not every author can transition between age ranges so successfully. I will have no problem pitching this to my 5th graders. It will draw in those who like sports, drama, or mystery.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for kiddos who like mysteries and/or sports. Not as many pictures, can definitely tell this is a harder easy chapter book. But a shorter book with fairly short chapters that shouldn’t be too overwhelming. All of the reminders about teamwork and such are a little grating, but probably just because I’m a cynical old hag :)

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of sports references including baseball, soccer, and basketball. A cute mystery on where the autographed Will Hanley home run ball disappeared to. Thought it was a good level with more specifics on how Zach and Zoe played each sport- lots of references to hard work and competition making you a better version of yourself- life lessons quotes. Would read other books in this series.

[liso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty formulaic like a lot of these younger series characters that are good kids, stick up for each other without being super goody-goody and they have good sportsmanship. Good for younger readers getting into sports.

[Jane Hotzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reviewed this for my sports loving grandkids. The story was fun and the good sportsmanship message was nice. I would recommend for good third grade readers and fourth grade readers that love sports!!

[Maggie Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series! Would be a really good read for younger kids - maybe under 10? However, i also enjoyed reading these books in 6th and 7th grade as a quick and relaxing story! No one is too old to enjoy a children’s story!! Highly recommend!

[Rea Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't my personal cup of tea, but if you have a young reader who loves sports and mysteries, give this series a go!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read - good book for beginning chapter book readers that enjoy sports!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good for my 7 yo to read. Short chapters. Easy vocabulary.

[Dominick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boom!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great size and reading level for new chapter book readers. I thought the mystery was compelling and it interspersed the story with some sports action.

[Sarah Banaszynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book with my 2nd grade students. They really enjoyed it!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done and a big big with my Boys!