Max Finder Mystery Collected Casebook Volume 5

by Battle, Craig; Pérez, Ramón; O'Donnell, Liam

• ISBN13: 9781926818115
• ISBN10: 1926818113
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-03-01
• Publisher: Owlkids Books

Summary

The fifth volume in this award-winning graphic novel series contains ten mystery comics by OWL Magazine editor Craig Battle, plus two never-before-published short mystery stories by series creator Liam O'Donnell. As always, storylines are intriguing, age-appropriate, and relevant; illustrations are detailed and compelling; and dialogue is snappy. Each solve-it-yourself comic stars amateur detective Max Finder and his best friend, budding journalist Alison Santos. Seventh graders at Central Meadows Junior High, these two intrepid investigators must call upon their skills to crack each case before them. Cases in this volume include "The Case of the Graffiti Goon," "The Case of the Absent Answer Key," and "The Case of the Cafeteria Crisis." Clues appear in words and images, so readers must develop their eye for detail in order to solve the mysteries. Solutions appear at the end of each comic, explaining whodunit and why, and the clues that cracked the case. Bonus content unique to this volume includes a yearbook-style introduction to Max and Alison's classmates: bully Ben "Basher" McGintley, gossip queen Leslie Chang, prankster Kyle Kressman, and a host of others. Plus, tips and tricks from Max and Alison for readers looking to develop their own eagle eyes and other sleuthing skills! Crammed with clues and stuffed with enough suspects and red herrings to keep readers guessing until the very last panel, Max Finder Mystery Volume 5 promises to engage pre-teens with hours of whodunit fun.

Author Biography

Craig Battle has been the editor of OWL Magazine since 2006. He has worked as a reporter, camp counselor, and basketball coach, and now adds children's author to his resume. Originally from Lantzville, BC, he lives in Toronto. Ramón Pérez has been working as a cartoonist for a little over a decade. His clients include Marvel and DC Comics, and OWL Magazine. He writes and illustrates a weekly web comic called Kukuburi and lives in Toronto. Liam O'Donnell is the author of Ramp Rats, the books in the Real World of Pirates series, and 20 other books for children. He is an elementary school teacher and he frequently writes about literacy and education for national magazines. He lives in Toronto.

Table of Contents

Meet the Characters: Readers are introduced to Max Finder, Alison Santos, and the rest of their seventh grade class through the pages of the Whispering Meadows Junior High yearbook

The Case of the Cafeteria Crisis: Alex Rodriguez ruins Central Meadows chef Oliver “Ollie” Jamie’s lunch service in order to turn his ill-conceived “Chips for Charity” plan into a success

The Case of the Halloween Heist: While at a pre-Halloween party gathering at the Peeves mansion, Dorothy Pafko throws Jessica Peeves’s one-of-a-kind Ninja Queen costume out the window, prompting a Clue-esque mansion mystery

The Case of the Dastardly Defamer: Shawna, Tony Dematteo, and Basher McGintely frame Max for a series of crimes, getting Max suspended from the Knowledge Bowl, leaving Zoe and Alison to do the bulk of the detective work

Max Finder's Short Story Mystery: This never-before-published short story mystery, written by series creator Liam O'Donnell, is told from the perspective of Max Finder

The Case of the Snow Day Disaster: Max and Alison must figure out who trashed Felix Reeves's awesome new sled

The Case of the Graffiti Goon: Monica Peeves graffitis the town to get back at her father, the mayor, for not allowing her to go to New York City for art school

The Case of the Messed-up Magic Show: Jake Granger sabotages "I Want to Be in Max" contest winner Glendon McGowan’s talent show try-out in order to maintain his spot as the school’s top magician

Alison Santos's Short Story Mystery: This never-before-published short story mystery, written by series creator Liam O'Donnell, is told from the perspective of Alison Santos

The Case of the Absent Answer Key: Ethan Webster steals Mr. Reed’s carefully prepared answer key to get back at him for giving him detention, risking the class’s involvement in the Meadows Midway

The Case of the Mad Money: Hal Kogan counterfeits Meadows Money, the currency used at the Meadows Midway, in order to get food and games for free at the Midway

The Case of the Campground Crime Spree: Marta, the owner of Camp Bernie, sabotages Prog Lake Campground in order to get more business in a tough camping market

Bonus Content: Max and Alison reveal the skills they call on in order to be able to crack each case and provide tips and tricks so readers can hone their own detective skills