The back road was exactly as Mr. Van Buren had described itquiet and beautiful. It cut through a valley surrounded by tree-covered hills. And a lazy river followed it most of the way, the sun sparkling on its rippled surface. For the first half hour...
At first the children thought Mr. Van Buren was going to be angry because they were looking for clues in his house. But as he came into the room, a smile spread across his face. Rita, my housekeeper, told me what you kids were doing, so I figured Id...
I think you were right, Henry, Jessie said, still staring at the two pictures. Mr. Finch and Mr. Van Buren dont seem to be enemies at all. And I was thinking about something, Violet added. Remember that book Mr. Finch published a long time ago called...
The Aldens minivan pulled up to the train station. Are you sure you kids dont want a ride to Allerton? said Grandfather. Thats okay, Grandfather, said Jessie. Were looking for clues around the train station. Why not take the train? The other three ch...
The children were up bright and early the next morning, talking in the kitchen. Jessie rummaged through the cabinets in the hopes of finding something they could eat, while the other three sat around the table. Maybe we should talk to Mr. Van Buren,...
The children met their grandfather at the Greenfield Diner for dinner. The place was bustling with customers. The air was filled with the hum of conversation, the clinking of silverware, and the wonderful scent of many different meals. Sitting in the...
This is just terrible, Ms. Connally said when the Aldens gave her the bad news. Ive never had this happen before. An author no-show! I hope hes okay. Well find out what happened to him, Jessie said confidently. If you cant, Ill have to call Mr. Van B...
The train had been switched off the main track into a rail yard. There were dozens of other trains there, too. It looks like a train parking lot! Violet said. Which is the one we want? Benny wondered. There are so many! Number sixteen, Henry reminded...
That man at the library had to be the rudest person I ever saw, Jessie said as they taped the last poster to a pole at the Greenfield train station. He certainly was, Henry agreed. Jessie checked her watch again. Anyway, Mr. Finchs train should be ar...
Six-year-old Benny Alden lay on the floor of the Greenfield Public Library. He was coloring a huge poster. Hows it coming, Benny? asked Violet, his ten-year-old sister. She was holding a poster of her own, which shed just finished. She gently waved i...
