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I’m so glad I discovered the Tree Street Kids books last winter. Each one has offered something fresh and fun, and this fourth book, The Mystery in Crooked Creek Woods, is another great installment. Each book in the series centers around a specific theme, often with nods to classic literature. This one is a mystery, full of fun references to great detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and even Encyclopedia Brown. As a longtime fan of classic mysteries, I appreciated this literary twist.
The story follows Jack and Ellison as they enter a school writing competition and decide to create a mystery story. In true Tree Street Kids fashion, their writing project soon becomes a real-life investigation when Ruthie hires them to figure out what’s going on in her yard. Their missteps and mistaken assumptions are both humorous and insightful, gently guiding young readers toward lessons about discernment and humility.
What sets this series apart—and what makes it such a gift for Christian families—is its deeply respectful and faith-filled worldview. Amanda Cleary Eastep has created a world in which Christianity is not just tolerated but honored. This morning, I spoke with a mom from my library whose son was unsettled by the casual irreverence in a popular secular series. She was looking for books that wouldn’t offend or bruise his spirit. The Tree Street Kids series is exactly that: smart, wholesome, and creative.
This particular volume also dives into deeper questions of identity and history. As the boys try to solve their mystery, the story thoughtfully raises issues about who we are, where we come from, and how to honor the past. There’s also a respectful subplot about Native American artifacts and the importance of protecting sacred spaces—handled with clarity and sensitivity.
I would recommend this book to readers who already enjoy the Tree Street Kids series, young mystery lovers, aspiring writers, and librarians or educators seeking middle grade fiction that is both entertaining and edifying.