School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2The child detective of chapter-book fame now appears in a beginning-to-read series. Dinosaur Game, however, does not quite measure up to Adler's earlier tales. Cam and her friend Eric are invited to a birthday party, where everyone has a chance to guess how many toy dinosaurs are in a jar. When Robert guesses the exact number, Cam becomes suspicious and sets out to prove that he cheated. She is the only one to realize that there is a problem, so there's no shared experience of problem solving. Missing Cookie has suspense and humor. Cam and Eric solve the mystery with the help of her photographic memory. Adler explains the girl's amazing mental abilities through a sequence in math class. Later, Cam puts them to the test when Jason's chocolate-chip cookie disappears from his lunch box. Natti's illustrations in both books will win the approval and attention of young readers. The sharp, detailed strokes and bright colors complement Adler's simple texts. However, each adventure is concluded in 32 pages, which really limits plot and character development.Mary Ann Bursk, Bucks County Free Library, Levittown, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
At Jane's birthday party, everyone guesses the number of toy dinosaurs in a big jar. Jennifer 'the Camera' Jansen's photographic memory helps her nab Robert, who has cheated in order to win all the dinosaurs. Observant readers can follow Cam's reasoning and solve the mystery, too. This amiable chapter book is designed for a younger audience than the one targeted by previous Cam books. From HORN BOOK 1996, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 1^-2. Adler's beginning reader series features the young (primary-grade) Cam Jansen, who solves minor mysteries using her photographic memory. In Dinosaur Game, Cam uncovers the misdeed of a boy who cheated to win a prize at a birthday party. When she tells him what she knows, he confesses to his hostess, and gentle justice prevails. Missing Cookie takes place in the school lunchroom, where Cam's friend Jason discovers that someone has stolen a cookie from his lunchbox. While he storms around seeking the stolen goody, Cam deduces that Jason's dog ate the evidence. Susanna Natti's colorful line-and-wash illustrations appear on every page, brightening the books and creating likable characters in familiar settings. Like Adler's familiar chapter books featuring Cam, these appealing minimysteries will find a ready audience. --Carolyn Phelan
