Award winning children’s author Donna Jo Napoli and her son, Robert Furrow, write the Sly the Sleuth Mystery series. Sly is short for Sylvia. She is an amateur detective. Sleuth for Hire is the name of her agency. Taxi is her cat and assistant. This pair uses their wits and reasoning to solve their friends and neighbors’ problems.

The Sly the Sleuth series contains three mystery stories in each book. They are early reader chapter books. The books help children make the transition from picture to chapter books. Sly the Sleuth Mystery books contain sketches to give children visual clues to the story's action.

Donna Jo Napoli and Robert Furrow create a little girl who is spunky and fun. Children like the ten-years-old character and her friends. They love to solve the mysteries with with the girl sleuth. Believe it or not, Taxi the cat is a powerful helper. Sly’s next door neighbor, Brian, is a handful. He is a youngster we all know. The type of kid who gets into the most intriguing situations.

Sly the Sleuth and the Pet Book is the first in the series. Sly opens the Sleuth for Hire agency. In the book, she solves her neighbors and friends’ problems. She is a busy girl with school and chores, too. The Beta fish mystery is known as the Wish Fish mystery.

Sports play a prominent role in Sly the Sleuth and the Sports Mysteries. Do you know children who love mysteries and sports like Sylvia? This book’s three mysteries deal with soccer, ballet, swimming and basketball.

Sly the Sleuth and the Food Mysteries deals with everyone’s favorite, food. How many mysteries are there concerning food? A lot! Readers, there are no cat food ingredient mysteries. Sly the capable detective gets to the bottom of the problems.

The Sly the Sleuth Mystery series is appropriate for children six-years-old and older. The chapters are short and easy to read. The conclusion of the mysteries are satisfying and not trite. Characters are believable and children enjoy them.

The books are listed for children ages 4-8. If your child (4-6) is a strong reader, he will be able to read the series. This true for all early chapter books. Know your child before buying a book. First try out a few books at the library. Read the book with the child and check reading comprehension. The Sly the Sleuth Mystery and other early reader chapter books are available at the local library. See the below list for more options.



Children Book Reviews
Early Reader Chapter Books for Children
Children Books with Kittens and Cats


More Children Books

List of Dr. Seuss Books
Don Freeman's Books
Stan Berenstain's Books
List of Magic Tree House Books
Chronicles of Narnia Books
A Series of Unfortunate Events Books