Module 9 - Cam Jansen: The Mystery of the Babe Ruth Baseball by David Adler

Adler, D. A. (1982). Cam Jansen and the mystery of the Babe Ruth baseball . New York: Viking Press.

Genre Category: Mystery, chapter book
Age Range: Ages 4 to 8
Assessment of the book’s quality: Short chapters with wide spacing between the lines and accompanying illustrations that facilitate and help the comprehension of the context for younger, beginning readers. Context is simple and tempting, and text is easy to read.
Assessment of the book’s potential use: It is a great book to recommend to beginning readers or struggling and reluctant readers.
Assessment of the book’s child appeal: The book will appeal to kids who like mystery, finding clues and solving problems; as well as to kids who are struggling or reluctant readers.

Summary:
The story begins with Cam and her friend Eric attending a community hobby show, where her parents have an exhibition of circus posters. There they find a baseball exhibit including collection of baseballs, posters and cards, all dedicated to the famous and loved baseball player, Babe Ruth. The exhibit belonged to an old man named Mr. Baker. Here Cam shows off her amazing and extraordinary photographic memory, attracting a crowd of viewers. First she looks at something, then says, "Click" and can accurately remember every thing she has seen. It is at this time that Mr. Baker shouts that a baseball autographed by Babe Ruth disappeared. Cam and Eric tell the security guard about the incident. At this exact moment, a boy in a green jacket sees them talking to the guard and and begins to run. They run after him, chasing him to the playground, where they finally find him quietly sitting on a bench, content with himself. They find a baseball in his pocket, which is not the ball they are looking for. So they let him go. The security guard, unconvinced that it's been stolen goes back to the exhibit, leaving the mystery to Cam and Eric to solve and find the valuable baseball. They find another suspect, only learning that she is not the thief. They go back to the park and observe kids playing, when they notice kids playing with baseball. Incidentally, they throw it too far. A boy picks it up, and throws another ball back to the kids taking it out of his own pocket. Cam and Eric follow him to an apartment building. Is he the one who stole the baseball...?

Reaction and Impressions:
I found the book to be especially fantastic for children who are beginning readers and want to finish a whole chapter book. The language and text are simple and easy to understand. The plot and the story are very interesting and attractive having the ability to keep the child hooked on the book, leaving him/her with the curiosity of knowing to learn what happens next.


"What wrongdoer is any match for Cam Jansen, the girl with the amazing photographic memory?"_ Booklist


"An uncluttered plot, a clever heroine, clear language, and a dash of humor make for a zestful mystery."_School Library Journal