Riley Mack Stirs Up More Trouble

Gr 5–7—Riley Mack and his madcap gang, the Known Troublemakers, are back with a new mystery to unravel. School may be out for the summer, but the friends smell something fishy at the local pond, which means that they have to dust off their biology and chemistry skills. Fish are dying, there is an obvious cover-up, and they feel somehow that the father of their nemesis, Sara Paxton, is behind it. Mr. Paxton is the CEO of Xylodyne Dynamics and president of the country club. With Briana's disguises, Riley's elaborate plans, and a little luck, the young detectives hope to expose what's buried at the golf course. When Riley's dad, stationed in Afghanistan, gets embroiled in the scheme and his mom steps in to help, it is up to Riley to solve the mystery before it is too late. The plot is more than a little far-fetched, but readers might enjoy following the kids' sleuthing.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA