The Clue at the Zoo

By Patricia Reilly Giff and Blanche Sims

Arno Eliot is always causing trouble—and when he disappears at the zoo, Dawn Bosco will have to solve a mystery to set things right It’s almost the end of the summer, and Dawn Bosco is hoping for one last mystery before school starts. Then Noni, Dawn’s grandmother, has to babysit Arno Eliot, the worst six-year-old Dawn has ever met, for the whole week! Dawn doesn’t want to spend her last week of summer vacation watching Arno. When Arno says he wants to go to the zoo, Dawn knows there will be trouble—and maybe a mystery, too. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Patricia Reilly Giff including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Media
• Release date: Jun 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781453220467

Patricia Reilly Giff

Patricia Reilly Giff is the author of many beloved books for children, including the Kids of the Polk Street School books and the Polka Dot Private Eye books. Several of her novels for older readers have been chosen as ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Books and ALA-YALSA Best Books for Young Adults. She won the Newbery Honor for Lily's Crossing (a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book) and Pictures of Hollis Woods. She lives in Connecticut.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

WHAT DO YOU want to do today? Dawn Bosco asked.

I don’t know. Jill Simon shook her head. The green plaid bows on her four braids shook too.

Dawn squinched her eyes almost shut. She peered out the screen door. I have to find a mystery before school starts next week. Just one little—

Dawn’s grandmother put a bowl of grapes on the table. I know what we’re going to do today, Noni said. She pointed to the street.

A car was stopping in front of the house.

Jill leaned forward. Is that Arno? Arno Eliot and his mother?

I don’t believe it, Dawn said. What’s that kid doing here?

They had met Arno and his mother at the beach two weeks ago.

Noni and Mrs. Eliot were friends now.

Too bad.

Arno had to be the worst six-year-old kid in the world.

Dawn jammed her Polka Dot Private Eye hat down over her eyes.

She and Jill made gagging noises.

Ssh, said Noni. Here they come.

Arno was hopping up the path in front of his mother.

He had a yellow knapsack over his shoulders. The straps were flying all over the place.

Arno had long skinny legs.

He had big fat knees.

He had a button that said:

I CAN SPELL . . . ALMOST.

Arno’s mother looked worn out.

Anyone would be worn out if she had to take care of Arno, Dawn thought.

Now, listen, girls, Noni whispered. Don’t make a fuss. Mrs. Eliot has to work. She needs a baby-sitter for Arno.

Dawn wiggled her nose. She made an anteater face. I’m not going to baby-sit that—

Of course not, said Noni. I am. I’m going to watch Arno all week. She smiled at Dawn. And you can help.

Arno reached the top step.

He gave the screen door a kick.

Open up, he yelled.

Dawn shuddered. She pushed open the door.

Behind Arno came Mrs. Eliot.

She was carrying about a hundred games and toys.

She dumped them on the floor. Games that make you think, she said. Arno always wins. He likes to think.

Dawn looked at one