BOOK REPORT: Best Mystery Series

In honor of National Mystery Series Week, here’s a compilation of some of the most timeless children’s mystery series. Check out these titles at your local library!

Nancy Drew, Carolyn Keene

A mild-mannered teenager, Nancy Drew stumbles into mystery upon mystery and solves crimes with wit, gumption, and help from her trusty friends, George and Bess. Follow Nancy as she recovers stolen objects, finds the truth behind spooky phenomena, and foils the crook’s plans! After first appearing in 1930, Nancy Drew has been reborn and revived throughout the years by way of computer games, movies, and updated books with modern story lines.

The Hardy Boys, Franklin W. Dixon

Frank and Joe Hardy are a pair of ordinary teenage brothers who frequently become tangled within the plots of countless mysteries. Male counterparts of Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys series was created by the same American writer and publisher, Edward Stratemeyer. Both series were penned under ghostwriters Frank Dixon and Carolyn Keene, but the stories were actually contributed by many different writers.

Encyclopedia Brown, Donald Sobol

Boy detective Leroy Brown has a brain full of trivia and operates his own detective agency. Solving the mysteries for the neighborhood children, Encyclopedia Brown picks up sleuthing tips from his police chief father and aides in the solving of many of his father’s police cases! Donald Sobol, author of this acclaimed mystery series, has collected many writing accolades, including a special Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for his contributions to the genre.

Harriet the Spy, Louise Fitzhugh

Eleven year old Harriet Welsch knows that she’ll be a famous writer someday. Dedicating all of her free time to jotting down her most inner thoughts and observations, Harriet strictly follows her daily spy route, spying on her classmates and neighbors. Harriet’s life is somewhat isolated, leaving her to channel her opinions of herself and others into a notebook. Tension ensues, however, when the notebook is discovered by her classmates and Harriet’s secret thoughts come spilling out. 

The Boxcar Children, Gertrude Chandler Warner

Four orphaned children make a home out of an abandoned boxcar and are eventually taken-in by their long-lost grandfather. As the children visit their grandfather during school holidays and travel to different locations, the Boxcar Children stumble upon mysteries wherever they travel. Including over 100 titles, this mystery series was originally written in the 1920’s by a 1st grade teacher.

Basil of Baker Street, Eve Titus

The mouse version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, Basil of Baker Street follows a mouse-detective and his biographer, Dr. Dawson. The sleuthing pair reside in a mouse community built in the basement of 221B Baker Street. Reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, Basil and Dr. Dawson solves mysteries and are in constant pursuit of Basil’s nemesis, the criminal mouse-mastermind, Professor Ratigan.

For more ideas, check out these popular children’s mystery novels:

The Westing Game, Ellen Raskin

The Invention of Hugo Cabert, Brian Selznick

Horton Halfpott, Tom Angleberger

The Wizard of Dark Street, Shawn Thomas Odyssey

The Aviary, Kathleen O’Dell

Discover more literary gems through Fairmont’s Pinterest board Literary Genius!

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images by Wikipedia, Goodreads, & Amazon

FRIDAY FOLDER: October 2

Highlights of the Week:
 

Anaheim Hills Campus

North Tustin Campus

 

 

Historic Anaheim Campus

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private School

A to Z: Community Service

Young people these days are very busy. Between school, homework, soccer practice, and more, there doesn’t seem to be much time left over. However, teaching your child the importance of community service is incredibly beneficial for his or her transition into becoming a responsible adult. Instilling manners at home, along with encouraging good citizenship and a sense of community, will help to foster empathy and self-awareness in children of any age. Engaging in opportunities to serve may help your child become more culturally diverse, learn about socio-economic differences within your community, discover specific skills or interests, and most importantly, learn the value of helping those in need.

Most communities and local organizations are almost always in need of extra hands to volunteer. Public libraries, schools, churches, and civic organizations are great resources for identifying potential causes and opportunities that might be a good match for your child. Websites such as VolunteerMatch are great for finding local community service opportunities specifically for children. If you’re still in need of ideas, think about visiting your local food bank or senior living center, donating goods to the Salvation Army or local homeless shelter, or even simply having your child take a Saturday to help friends, relatives, or neighbors with household or outside chores. Explore some of these non-profit nationally-recognized volunteer organizations:

Wounded Warrior Project

Habitat for Humanity

American Red Cross

American Cancer Society

The seeds planted when serving one’s community will take root and help your child to grow into a well-rounded, giving individual. Making community service outings a family affair is a great option which will create stronger bonds between family members, create memories, and provide an outstanding example for your children to follow.

Click to read about the different ways Fairmont students are serving their communities!

3rd Grade Students Read to Kindergarteners

September 11th Remembrance

Fairmont Prep Students Cheer Participants of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Helping Student-Athletes Give Back

Innovative Wildfire Detector Earns National Recognition for Fairmont Alumna

Fairmont Alums Give Talk on Kindness and Self-Respect During Prep’s Opening Day

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools
Image by KCHA News

EVENTFUL: Total Lunar Eclipse

This weekend, you may have noticed a total lunar eclipse, or “Blood Moon,”  while looking out upon the evening sky. This rare phenomenon occurs as a result of light and shadows. As the Earth rotates around the sun, it becomes aligned between the sun and moon, casting its shadow onto the moon’s surface. The reddish color of the moon is created by the Earth’s shadow and the light from the sun that emanates past the outer edges of the Earth. This creates a sunrise-like effect that encompasses the entire Earth and causes the moon’s surface to appear red.

 Glastonbury, England courtesy of Getty Images

Geneva, Switzerland courtesy of the Associated Press

September’s eclipse was the fourth of a four-part series of total lunar eclipses, known as a “tetrad.” A very rare occurrence, only seven more tetrads are expected until the year 2100. September’s lunar eclipse was particularly special due to the lunar eclipse and “supermoon” occurring on the same night. A supermoon refers to the times when the moon is in the closest part of its orbit to the Earth, making the moon appear larger to us on the ground.

Watch NASA’s stream of the entire eclipse:

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images & Video by Associated Press, Getty Images, & Griffith Observatory 

FRIDAY FOLDER: September 25

Highlights of the Week:

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools
 

ARTS & CRAFTS: Pine Cone Owl

It’s the first day of autumn! Celebrate the commencement of this new season by decorating your home with a few of these adorable pine cone owls! Spend time with your child as you take them outside to gather materials for this quick and fun craft!

Materials:

Acorn Cups

Leaves

Hot Glue

Googly Eyes

Orange Craft Foam

Pine Cone

Cardstock

Instructions:

1. For a base, measure and cut a circle in a sheet of cardstock to fit the base of the pine cone.
2. Cut a beak and feet from the orange craft foam.
3. Glue the feet to the flat base of the pine cone.
4. Glue the base of the pine cone to the cardstock circle, ensuring that the pine cone will stand upright once dry.
5. For eyes, glue one googly eye into each acorn cup, then glue the cups near the top of the pine cone. In order for the eyes to sit into the pine cone, you may need to remove one or two of the pine cone spines.
6. For wings, glue one leaf to each side of the pine cone.
7. Glue the beak to the pine cone just below the center of the eyes.

For more great craft ideas, visit Fairmont’s Arts & Crafts Pinterest board!

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Craft Instructions & Image by Broogly

A to Z: Better Breakfast Month

Is your child getting bored with eating cereal and toast every morning? There’s no better time to shake up your morning routine than in September, also known as Better Breakfast Month! In celebration of breakfast, here are a few fun, healthy, homemade recipes to try with your family!

Breakfast Sandwiches courtesy of Macheesmo 

Mini Berry Puff Pancakes courtesy of Super Healthy Kids Blog 

Ham & Egg Breakfast Cups courtesy of Recipe

Fruit Ring Pancakes courtesy of Listotic 

Peanut Butter & Banana Quesadillas courtesy of Listoti 

Breakfast Pizza courtesy of Listotic

 Fruit & Yogurt Cones courtesy of Listotic 

Omelette in a Bag courtesy of Favorite Family Recipes

For more ideas to spice up your family’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, visit Fairmont’s Snacktime Pinterest board!

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images & Recipes by Macheesmo, Super Healthy Kids Blog, Recipe, Listotic, & Favorite Family Recipes