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FROM: School Library Journal
RE: THE MYSTERY OF THE DANCING ANGELS
"Endearing characters, just enough suspense, and intriguing plot twists make this series entry one that deserves consideration. The message is delivered naturally, without intruding on the plot. The writing quality compares favorably with Elizabeth Levy's 'Something Queer' books (Hyperion) and David Adler's 'Cam Jansen' series (Viking). . . . Give this little gem a look."
FAN MAIL FROM KIDS
“I love the TCDC books!”
Travis, Encinitas, CA
"The Three Cousins Detective Club is like the BEST BOOKS EVER!!! I have read [books] 1–30. They are the BEST!"
Kaitlyn, Lake Wouth, FL
RE: THE MYSTERY OF THE WHITE ELEPHANT: "It was great. I’ve read it
3 times!!! It made me feel like I helped Tim, Ti, and S-J solve it. It was Neat-O."
A reader from the United States
RE: THE MYSTERY OF THE DANCING ANGELS: "[FIVE STARS] A mystery about a 100-year-old house that had angels inside! I think your books are great. They are so cool!!!!! I think you should write more of these books."
“Calie cat,” a reader from U.S.A.
“The TCDC books are funny and exciting.”
Gilbert, Lockeford, CA
“I can’t wait until the new TCDC books come out!”
Ruth, Chickamauga, GA
"This book is WONDERFUL! I liked this book because I didn’t figure out the solution to the mystery until the end of the book. It kept my attention and I couldn’t even sleep because of it! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries."
Marissa, Tallahassee, FL
“I feel like I am right in the adventures with Timothy, Titus, and Sarah-Jane.”
Ivey, Chickamauga, GA
RE: THE MYSTERY OF THE RUNAWAY SCARECROW: "Cool, I wish it was longer! It was a very good book ... they had all this cool stuff going on ... [I gave this book 4 stars], but I could have gave this book 5 stars if only it was longer."
A 9-year-old reader from Las Vegas, NV
RE: THE MYSTERY OF THE ZOO CAMP: "A Splendid Book! This is a great book with lots of action. I enjoyed reading about the snake! I thought it was very exciting."
A reader from the United States
“Elspeth Campbell Murphy is a very gifted author. The TCDC books are fun to read and will be enjoyed by the whole family!!”
Jason, Ft. Myers, FL
“My dad reads the TCDC books to us, and it only takes two days to finish one!”
Timmy, Merrillville, IN
“I read all the TCDC books twice in my home schooling.”
Peter, Sault St. Marie, MI
“Are Sarah-Jane and her cousins real people?”
Jodi, Chattanooga, TN
“That TCDC book is the best story I ever read.”
Chris, Plattsburgh, NY
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WHAT MAKES THE "THREE COUSINS" BOOKS SO POPULAR?
APPEALING CHARACTERS
As cousins, Timothy, Titus, and Sarah-Jane share a special bond (and aren’t encumbered by sibling rivalry!). And since two of the three main characters are boys, the books appeal equally well to boys and girls. In fact, most of the fan mail comes from boys!
ABUNDANT HUMOR
Mid-elementary kids can be wild and crazy people! So Cousins Mysteries are filled with humor—humor that's warm and real, and never condescending.
REALITY-BASED
Times have changed, and kids are not as free to roam and explore as they once were. So Cousins Mysteries avoid plot extremes and keep the characters out of harm's way—while still sending them off on exciting and fast-paced quests and adventures.
IMPORTANT THEMES
Mysteries and morality go together by definition: good versus evil, right versus wrong. And the moral grounding of Cousins Mysteries in classical virtues and timeless truths gives them remarkable depth and substance. The books are never didactic, but they offer parents and teachers the option of discussing with children the important themes, such as honesty and integrity, that are subtly interwoven into the stories. Many teachers use the books to teach reading and writing, and many public and school libraries have to keep replacing the books because they wear out from so much use!
WISE INVESTMENT
A clearly defined story structure—and a satisfying payoff at the end—encourage young readers to see each story through. And see them through they
do! Many fans (who range in age from 6 to 12) report that they read the books over and over again. And some of those fans keep writing to Elspeth even after they've gone on to high school and, in one case, college!
There are more than 2 million Timothy, Titus, and Sarah-Jane stories in print worldwide.
FAN MAIL FROM ADULTS ...
“The children truly enjoy the TCDC books, and are eagerly waiting for the new ones.”
Librarian, Morton Grove, IL
"We replace the TCDC books continually as they wear out from so much use.”
Librarian, Glenview, IL
“The TCDC books have been a big hit with my class. The characters became familiar friends that evoked enthusiasm and deductive reasoning as well as logical thinking skills. More schools should use these books as part of their reading curriculum!”
Teacher, Strongsville, OH
“The TCDC books are an inspiration to me and my class. I read the kids a chapter every morning, and they beg me to read more!”
Teacher, Brookville, OH
“I was able to incorporate the TCDC books so easily in [my] reading instruction. We were able to do lots of predicting, discuss character development, pick out patterns, make story maps, categorize. …These books have been read and reread and have sparked a genuine interest in reading AND WRITING that will burn for a lifetime.”
Teacher, Strongsville, OH
“My daughter devours the TCDC books in one sitting—she just can’t put them down!”
Parent, Royal Oak, MI
"The 'Three Cousins' are a favorite at our house because the kids enjoy the adventures of the three cousins’ amateur detective work. And the parents at our house like them because the 64-page novels offer a very readable print size and accessible vocabulary, both of which encourage our young readers."
Parents, in a Customer Review on the Web
“Mrs. Murphy writes with such compassion and insight into the hearts and minds of young children. Thank you for these books.”
Parent, Coroapolis, PA
THE MYSTERY OF THE WHITE ELEPHANT |
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