Hero Dog!: A Branches Book (Hilde Cracks the Case #1) - by Hilde Lysiak & Matthew Lysiak (Paperback)

About the Book

Based on a real-life super-sleuth and media sensation, this launch of a new chapter book series follows nine-year-old aspiring reporter Hilde Lysiak as she investigates break-ins and missing baked goods with the help of Zeus, a little dog with a big bark. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

Real-life super-sleuth and media sensation Hilde Lysiak's reporting skills are put to the test in this fun early chapter book mystery series!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!Nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is starring in her very own early chapter book series -- inspired by news stories Hilde wrote in real life! In this first book, there's been a break-in on Orange Street! Cupcakes have been stolen, and soon a pie goes missing, too. Hilde and her sister/photographer, Izzy, must interview witnesses and follow the clues. Can Hilde crack the case in time to post her news story online? Joanne Lew-Vriethoff's personality-filled illustrations appear on every page, bringing Hilde's adventures to life for young readers!

From the Back Cover

CRIME REPORTER HILDE LYSIAK ALWAYS GETS THE SCOOP!

There's been a break-in on Orange Street! Cupcakes were stolen. Soon a pie goes missing, too! Is someone trying to ruin the big Selinsgrove Bake-Off Bonanza? Hilde and her sister Izzy will have to follow clues and interview witnesses to save the contest. Can they catch the thief and post their news story before the deadline?

Review Quotes

Praise for Hero Dog! (Hilde Cracks the Case #1): "This mystery series is sure to win over readers diving into beginning chapter books. Like other titles in the 'Branches' line, pictures and text work together to tell the story. Fast-paced action helps maintain budding readers' attention. Pages from Hilde's notebook introduce new vocabulary and model questioning. The right amount of support and repetition is given for students transitioning into a more independent phase of reading, and many will find themselves working to solve the mystery alongside the protagonist. Teachers will appreciate using this series to teach questioning words.... VERDICT: A solid addition to most chapter book collections, especially where there are mystery fans." -- School Library Journal"It's a light, quick-moving mystery, and the young author's backstory will undoubtedly inspire many aspiring writers, reporters, and sleuths." -- Publisher's Weekly"Entertaining and fast-paced." -- Kirkus ReviewsPraise for Branches books: "A nice stepping stone to more advanced chapter books." -- Booklist

About the Author

Hilde Lysiak is the 11-year-old publisher of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania's newspaper, the Orange Street News. The paper has 700+ paid subscribers and is read by thousands more online. Hilde's journalism efforts have been profiled by the New York Times, Columbia Journalism Review, NBC Today, and hundreds of other newspapers and television stations around the world. Hilde is cowriting the Scholastic Branches series Hilde Cracks the Case with her dad, Matthew Lysiak.
Matthew Lysiak is a nationally recognized journalist and author. He has reported for the New York Daily News, Newsweek, the New York Sun, AM New York, and the Guardian. He has also appeared as a contributor on The Today Show, MSNBC, and countless other media outlets to discuss his work. He coauthored the young adult memoir of teen scientist Jack Andraka, Breakthrough: How One Teen Innovator Is Changing the World, and was the author of Newtown: An American Tragedy. Matthew is cowriting the Branches early chapter book series Hilde Cracks the Case with his daughter, Hilde Kate Lysiak.
JOANNE LEW-VRIETHOFF is the acclaimed illustrator of many picture books, including Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty, named among School Library Journal's 2016 Books with a Message. She is a Mom's Choice Gold Award medal winner whose illustrations can be found in The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli and Peace, Baby! by Linda Ashman. Joanne also is the illustrator of the Hilde Cracks the Case series by Hilde Lysiak. She lives in Amsterdam with her husband and two children.