Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the U.F.O.

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the U.F.O.

by David A. Adler

Illustrated by Susanna Natti

★★☆☆☆

After meeting Cam Jansen in book one Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, she and her co-detective Eric see lights floating in the air.  Eric uses his actual camera to snap a picture of them, while Cam uses her photographic memory, and reason to find out what is really happening.  They follow the lights to the source and are almost caught by the creators of the floating lights, and lets just stay they were "aliens" from a place not so far, far away.  

While this book is very predictable for older readers making it maybe not so exciting, it would be great for young developing readers because it is fast paced and at an easier reading level.  I would use these books for students with 2-3 grade reading levels.
There is a support website with pages both for kids and teachers.  On this Cam Jansen website there are check lists for all of David A. Adler's books, comprehension questions for readers, and fun quizzes that test your own memory like Cam Jansen is always doing. 

New cover of the book

David A. Adler talks about the inspiration for the character Cam Jansen. He says the reason the mystery moves so fast is that the books are meant for slow readers so that as they read events unfold more quickly to keep children engaged in his books!




Citation:
Adler, David A. Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the U.F.O.  Ill. Susanna Natti.  Viking Press, New York. 1980.


ISBN: 0-670-20041-7
AR reading level: 3.4

Roman Diary - The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini

Roman Diary - The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini, who was captured by pirates and sold as a slave in Rome, AD 107

by Richard Platt & David Parkins

★★★★★

     This book is written as an illustrated journal of a young girl from a Greek Island, Mytilini, captured and enslaved in Rome.  It follows her journey of being captured, becoming a slave and learning her new position in life.  Because she is educated, she is given a position in a wealthy home helping to raise the children, but her younger brother is sent to work in the fields. The reading level is at about a sixth grade level and would be great for any middle schooler, or high schooler looking to learn more about Rome in it's height of power from a young slave's point of view.  

     I do have to warn that the content is a little hairy at times talking about ill-treatment of slaves, Gladiator tournaments, and war stories.  But it has a wealth of information, great vocabulary words and is a great history lesson in a relatively short book.  

Platt, Richard. Roman Diary - The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini, who was captured by pirates and sold as a slave in Rome, AD 107. Ill. David Parkins.  Candlewick Press, MA. 2009. 

ISBN 978-0-7636-3480-3

AR reading level: 6.0