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Children's Fiction Mysteries & Detective Stories

The Spy in Alley

by (author) Melanie Jackson

Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Initial publish date
Sep 2002
Category
Mysteries & Detective Stories, Humorous Stories, Music
Recommended Age
9 to 12
Recommended Grade
4 to 7
Recommended Reading age
9 to 12
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781551432076
    Publish Date
    Sep 2002
    List Price
    $8.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781554695409
    Publish Date
    Jan 2002
    List Price
    $6.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Confronting a prowler in the backyard, Dinah is determined to find out why someone has taken an interest in her older sister and herself. Who is the buck-tooth burglar? Why are the Rinaldi's tomatoes always involved? And what is the connection between Madge's boyfriend and GASP, a group of well-intentioned anti-smoking activists? When it becomes apparent that Wellman Talent, the modeling agency Madge works for, is making deals with an unscrupulous tobacco company, and that the spy is out to sabotage GASPís plans to expose the connection, Dinah has to call on all her talents, both sleuthing and singing, to solve the case. In the spirit of Sammy Keyes, Dinah gets by on pluck, courage and an irrepressible sense of humor as she is catapulted into a mystery that twists and turns from the blackberry patch to the corporate boardroom.

About the author

Scottish-born and mystery-minded, Melanie Jackson is the author of Orca's Dinah Galloway Mystery Series for eight-to-11-year-olds, and young-adult suspensers such as The Big Dip and High Wire. Melanie, who lives in Vancouver with her husband Bart, is a business/advertising writer and editor. She's a member of the Vancouver Sun's Book Club, which reviews current novels in print and online. Melanie likes hiking, piano, English/Scottish history—and continually learning from the kids she works with as a writing mentor with the Vancouver School Board.

Melanie teaches a mystery unit to Grades 8 and 9 at two Vancouver secondary schools. She welcomes schools’ inquiries about her presentations for intermediate and secondary classes. For more information, e-mail Melanie or visit her blog.

Melanie Jackson's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award (RMBA)
  • Commended, Resource Links, The Year's Best Books

Editorial Reviews

"A fun lighthearted story that also deals thoughtfully with serious issues."

School Library Journal

"Leaves us wanting to see much more of the Galloway family."

Children's Book News

"Young mystery fans will look forward to Dinah's further cases. Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine

"A great hit for mystery buffs everywhere. Excellent."

Resource Links

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