Field Trip Mysteries: The Ghost Who Haunted the Capitol

By Steve Brezenoff and Chris Canga

A field trip to Washington, D.C. turns into a middle-grade mystery! In this Field Trip Mysteries book, sixth-grader Edward "Egg" Garrison and his friends travel to the nation’s capital. But when they arrived at Union Station, people scream and flee the popular landmark. They’ve seen a ghost, the ghost of George Washington, the first U.S. president! The four friends find themselves smackdab in another mind-bending mystery. And if they don’t act fast, the United States Capitol will soon become a haunted house. Written by acclaimed author Steve Brezenoff, this easy-to-read chapter book is sprinkled with visual and verbal clues, allowing emergent readers to solve the mystery themselves. A perfect choice for budding mystery lovers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Apr 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781434298799

Steve Brezenoff

Steve Brezenoff is the author of the young adult novels The Absolute Value of -1, which won the IPPY Gold Medal for young adult fiction, and Brooklyn, Burning, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book, was a Best Fiction for Young Adults selection by the American Library Association, and won the ForeWord Book of the Year Gold Medal for young adult fiction. Born on Long Island, Steve now lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Beth, and their son and daughter, Sam and Etta. His main is a Blood Elf monk, but he's been known to run a Night Elf priest from time to time.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

ON THE TRAIN

Washington, D.C., is a great place to take pictures. Since I’m a photography nut, you can understand why I was very excited for the sixth-grade class trip to D.C.

Of course, I was also excited to be going on a trip for a weekend with my best friends, who are all in my class: Gum, Sam, and Cat. Oh, and I’m Edward G. Garrison, but my friends call me Egg.

My friends and I were sitting together near the back of the train. Gum and I were sitting across from Cat and Sam.

When does the lunch cart come around? Gum asked. I’m starving. I feel like I haven’t eaten in days!

Cat laughed. I don’t think there’s going to be a lunch cart, she said. That’s why Mr. Spade told us all to bring a bag lunch.

Gum frowned and flopped back in his seat. I know, I know. But I was hoping for a little extra something, he said. Such as dessert.

Hey, look at this, I said. I leaned forward and opened up the magazine I’d been flipping through: Cameras and Photography This Week.

There’s a big sale in Washington, D.C., this week at a place called Washington’s Photography, I said, pointing to the full-page ad. What a lucky coincidence!

Gum shrugged, and Sam smiled a little. That’s terrific, Cat said nicely. I know my hobby isn’t too interesting to my friends, but Cat is always so encouraging anyway.

Yup, I said. I’ve been meaning to get a new tripod! And there are some lenses that seem good.

Just then, Gum’s mother pushed through the door from the next car. She was one of the parent chaperones for the trip.

Hello, kiddies! she shouted, waving at us. Everyone in the car looked at us.

Gum covered his face. Oh no, he groaned.

Sam leaned over and tapped his knee. This might not be as bad as it seems, Gum, she said quietly. She’s carrying a paper sack.

Gum perked up, but still kept his hand