Beginning readers are introduced to the detective mystery genre in these chapter books. Perfect for the Common Core kids can problem-solve with Nate using logical thinking to solve mysteries! Rosamund s baseball team has a very unusual second base--Oliver s gloopy purple plastic octopus. But one morning . . . it s gone! Nate the Great must pick up clues so he can find the missing octopus and go up to bat! Check out the Fun Activities section in the back of the book! Visit Nate the Great and Sludge! NatetheGreatBooks.com Subtle humor sparkles through the young detective s narration and his interactions with his friends. Budding mystery fans will line up for this one. --School Library Journal