The Case of the Lost Boy

Buddy Files #1

by Dori Hillestad Butler, Jeremy Tugeau (Illustrator)

"My name is King. I am a dog. I am also a detective.

King has a very big mystery to solve. His family is missing, and he's been put in the P-O-U-N-D. Why doesn't his beloved human (Kayla) come to get him? When King is adopted by Connor and his mom, things get more confusing. The new family calls him Buddy! And just as Connor and Buddy start to get acquainted, Connor disappears! Buddy (aka King) has big problems to solve, but with some help from his friend Mouse (a very large dog) and the mysterious cat with no name, he shows what a smart, brave dog can do. Mystery fans and dog lovers will be swept up in Dori Hillestad Butler's funny, satisfying story...and left eager for Buddy's next adventure.

Genres: Mystery, Animals, Childrens, Dogs, Chapter Books, Fiction, Adventure

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Dori Hillestad Butler is an American author of more than 40 children's books, as well as magazine stories, plays and educational materials. Her first book, The Great Tooth Fairy Rip-Off, was published in 1997. She is known particularly for The Truth about Truman School, a 2008 young adult title focusing on the subject of cyber bullying, and for My Mom's Having a Baby (illustrated by Carol Thompson), which in 2011 appeared on the American Library Association's list of most commonly challenged books in the United States for its portrayal of conception and childbirth. Her 2010 mystery title, Buddy Files: Case of the Last Boy, won the 2011 Edgar Award for the best juvenile mystery published in 2010. Before becoming a children's author, Butler worked for three years as a page at a library.

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first chapter books that had my non-fiction loving 7 year old begging for one more chapter, and then another. He liked that there were real problem that the characters were facing. He really connected with the characters and was genuinely concerned for the boy's safety. Great for my second graders.

[l i z [save the sharks‼️] · Rating 4 out of 5]

yes I read this to help my brother with his book report yes I'm adding it to my reading goal yes I'm giving it 4 stars

[Robin J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'am currently reading the book The Case of the Lost Boy, The Budy Files by Dori Hillestad Butler. In this book there is a dog, and his name is king. His owner (Kayla) left him at the pound. King feels like his owner Kayla left him and now he's sad, But I think Kayla really went on trip It doesn't say that in the book but that is my infrence. Once my mom was late from picking me up and I thought she had forgot about me, But it was just really bad traffic.
A family came to the pound and was looking for a dog, so they bought king. The people who bought king, were named Connor and mom (It dose'nt say the mom's name). The family just moved from californa and Connor's mom and dad got divorst. Connor is going out to walk king, And they stop by Kaylas house, king goes and checks out the backyard to see where Kayla is, But all the lights are off and is no one in the house. When king gets back around to the front of the house Connor is gone. I Bet that king is wondering where Connor is. Once me and my freind were at the park and we could'nt find my mom anywere. King goes back to Connors house, and Connor isn't there, King checks the park and Connor isn't there. King goes to Connors house and goes inside he tried to tell the mom but he can't speak so he just sits on the floor, and whats for the mom to notice that connor is'nt there. She soon figures out and starts shouting for him! I like this book becuase you never now what will happen next, Its a good mystery book. Will thay ever find Connor I dont Know you'll Have to read the book to find out!

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, this is a truly great book. I don't usually write reviews of children's books because I like to be totally honest in my reviews and I don't want to hurt the feelings of any of my fellow writer friends or friends-to-be. But this was SO GREAT that I have to shout it out. Butler captures a dog's psyche better than anyone (including the author of The Art of Racing int the Rain) - I am convinced that she speaks DOG as well as, well, any dog. I mean, she states that dogs never say the word P-O-U-N-D - (well, duh, of course they only spell it) - she knows!!! She keeps the excitement and mystery going on every page AND there are some touching moments. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. The highest compliment I can give a book is to say that I wish I'd written it. This book is one I wish I'd written.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It says "currently reading" but I'm actually eavesdropping as my office mate reads it with a group of students. They keep stopping at cliff-hangers though!!

I couldn’t wait, I got it from the library. I love that it’s written from the dog’s perspective. Very fun beginning chapter book!

[Jane]

I might try reading this to my son, as a chapter book, in a few months. For a super quick read, it's kind of fun.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken]

Eleanor says: I loved this book. The dog solves mysteries. We still have to solve one mystery that was not solved in the first book. I wonder if Buddy will find his family. His real name is King.

[Sarabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect mystery to keep the Kindergarten set entertained.

[Thedesibookthief · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery book for children.

[Joan Gagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

King, the Golden Retriever has been put in the P-O-U-N-D and he doesn't understand why. His family has disappeared and he must solve the mystery of where they went. At the pound, he gets picked by a mother and her son who smell like King's old neighborhood. Instead of being called King, he is now called Buddy. Buddy, really? "That's a wimp's name." Soon not only does Buddy need to solve the mystery of what happened to his family, he needs to find the boy who took him from the pound. While walking the dog, the boy goes missing. Buddy is certain it was the stranger they met on their walk. When Buddy overhears the police talk about an attempted kidnapping in the neighborhood, he gets really concerned. What has happened to the boy and will Buddy find him in time?
This book will be fun to read to early to middle elementary students. I can't wait to start it for a bookclub.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a huge fan. I guess the kids will like it OK. This is one I will have to feign some enthusiasm for, though. Will remind myself that some of them really will really enjoy the "dog voice." :X

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery: The Case of the Lost Boy (The Buddy Files) by Dori Hillestad Butler
This is the first book in a series of early elementary mystery series about a dog detective. This book debuted in September 2010, starting off a series of fun, mystery, and adventure for the younger readers. This book opens up with King (Buddy) locked in the pound wondering what happened to his old family. Were they coming back for him? Did they just leave him? A few days later King (Buddy) was adopted by Connor and given the new name of Buddy. Neither Buddy or Connor knew that the other was just what they needed in life. Then the mystery of the story comes into play: Connor disappears. It is up to Buddy to solve the mystery of the missing boy! This book follows as Buddy works alongside his pal Mouse as they search for Connor. This is a great chapter book for early readers. It is a good level for a second to third-grade independent level reading. This book would also be a fun read-aloud for kindergarten to start having them work on sequencing events. An activity would be to put the events in order that happened in the book. The students will spend time either being read to or reading this independently and think about how the events occurred within the pages. They will color important scenes in sequence. By doing this type of activity it will allow the instructor to take a look at the students’ comprehension of the text. It will also show if the students are able to pick up on an order of events. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and definitely plan to look further into the complete series. I mean who doesn’t like a dog detective?!

[Checkthebook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept here! This series "The Buddy Files" is a spin-off of "King and Kayla," and the dog is the same dog! Kayla had to move away, and the new owner named the dog "Buddy." The reading level is a step up. Whereas the K&K series was a 1st-2nd grade reading level, this is a 3rd grade level. Both series model logical thinking on a child's level in a way that I think must be very effective and suitable for the youthful audience. (Although I haven't polled any of them.) The characters make basic lists: what do we know? What do we not know? How should we proceed? It serves as a simple way to anchor the story and set up the mystery plot, as well as a good way to teach children how to think clearly.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to some strange events, King has ended up at the P-O-U-N-D instead of with his family or the kennel he stays at when they are on a trip. At the P-O-U-N-D, another family chooses him, and they live in the same neighborhood as his old family, so he can solve the mystery of his missing family! But shortly after joining this new family, the boy goes missing too. Butler does a great job telling a mystery story from the perspective of a dog. I liked how many favorite foods King has. This is an older first chapter book, but I wish there were more illustrations. The underlying mystery of King's original family will keep readers going. The King and Kayla series must be the follow-up series to The Buddle Files. For fans of dogs and the J. J. Tully Mysteries.

[fer_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of "The Buddy Files" series. I read it with my second grader and we absolutely enjoyed it. Buddy is a golden retriever who has found his way to the P-O-U-N-D. He has set himself on a mission to find his family, after they left for a short trip without him. However, one day, Buddy gets adopted by Connor and his mom. Although Buddy likes Connor, he still wants to be reunited with his old family. Until one day, Connor goes missing and Buddy feels the need to help find him.

Buddy is a cute character, not surprisingly- I mean who doesn't love dogs? But, we will not be continuing with the series.

[Hayley Schmolze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my first graders and they loved it! I also really enjoyed it. It's told from the perspective of a dog, which makes for a really fun read. The mystery in this book kept us entertained the whole time. Although it does bring everything to a close at the end, it still kind of ends on a cliffhanger. My kids' faces were priceless when they realized we had reached the end of the book and still didn't know how certain things would turn out.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really surprised me! Told from the perspective of Buddy the dog looking for his missing family, it mixes humor with introspection and genuine deep emotions:
"If I were human, I could let the sadness and frustration I'm feeling drip out of my eyes. Since I'm not human, I have no choice but to carry the sadness and frustration in my heart."
Bonus: the mystery elements of the story are actually quite suspenseful!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my son and daughter (ages 9 and 6). It was such a fun and well written book. The narrator--a dog--is funny and loveable. It's a different and enjoyable perspective. We really wanted to know what happened and the book had good foreshadowing without being predictable. When we picked it up we didn't know that it was connected to the young reader series King and Kayla, which was a wonderful surprise to discover! (You can enjoy this book never having read the King and Kayla series.)

[Denise Kettering · Rating 4 out of 5]

King is adopted by Connor and his mom from the pound and they rename him "Buddy." But he is still trying to figure out what happened to his previous family. When he moves to the same neighborhood, all he can think about is investigating the case, but then Connor disappears and he realizes that he needs to help this family. This is a great early chapter book with a fun narrator voice with King the dog telling the story. The mystery element kept my kids interested and engaged in the story.

[Emma M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this quick, easy read. It kept me on my toes and is written in such a way that you can't help but want to read more. I especially appreciated the situation with Jerry. It's a good reminder that while it is important to stay on our toes, sometimes our first impressions of each other aren't quite right.

[Amanda Trumpower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've fallen for this series hard. Butler perfectly captures the personality of a Golden Retriever, which makes the series that much sweeter for me. I also love the presence of a series-long plot arc. Will definitely be reading this one to my kids.

[Jess Bergeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book! Samuel read it and said it was so fantastic that I HAD to read it so we could talk about it together 😍 He handed it over before his bedtime and I’ll be happy to talk with him in the morning!

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read with my daughter (3yo). Dialogue was confusing as a read out loud since Buddy “talks” to the humans, but the humans don’t understand him, which I had to keep reminding my daughter of. Predictable from the start as well, which doesn’t need to be the case even in a kid’s book.

[Ghostii · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this book in elementary school and I never finished it. So I went hunting down for this book and I’m glad I finally got to finish it. It’s such a good and cute book for kids or for any kid who loves animals I feel it really captures their spirit.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute little read-my dog lover is a big fan:)

[Shannon Massey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids loved this book. I thought it was clever, and the author did a wonderful job of nailing a dogs perspective.

[Jacquelyn Casazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious!! The dog is a wonderful narrator. He is a genuine, funny storyteller that pokes fun at humans and also shows how much he cares for them in this fast paced mystery.

[Jordan Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something unique is that the dog is the detective!!!!
Grade: 3-4 Read aloud
Genre: Mystery

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good chapter book for early readers - good mystery, doesn't treat readers like little kids - good for reluctant readers.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for battle of books - funny dog. Okay for a 1st or 2nd grader.