The Mystery of the Missing Newspapers The Adventures of the Little Boys

By Nina Swartzwelder

Willie had wanted so desperately to please his father. And what did he have to show for it? A picture window broken so badly that it looked a giant spider web.
It seemed that everywhere Willie turned, he was in trouble. Today had been no exception. The Little Boys, “Mystery of the Missing Newspapers” is the first in a series of books highlighting eleven-year-old Willie Little and his 6-year-old twin brothers. Throw in the antics of CD, the family’s pet Boxer and you have a recipe for fun.
One exciting adventure turns into another as Willy tries to raise money to buy his father a birthday gift. Excitement abounds as Willie faces one obstacle after another. You’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat one moment and rolling on the floor laughing the next as Willie solves his problems as only an eleven-year-old can.
Prepare to go on a wild journey of excitement and adventure as Willy and his brothers, John and Jamie, set out to discover who is taking the newspapers.
Will Willie be able to solve the mystery and earn enough money to buy his father a birthday gift? It’s a story you won’t want to miss. Geared for seven to ten-year-olds,a and filled with good, clean fun, your child won’t want to put this book down until the very end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nina Swartzwelder
• Release date: Sep 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310252129

Nina Swartzwelder

Nina Swartzwelder spent her early childhood in northeastern Kentucky. By the time she reached high school age, her family moved to a very rural area in southern Ohio. The second oldest of five children, she could most usually be found curled up somewhere reading one of the dozen or so books that she checked out from the bookmobile as it made its bimonthly trip to her school. All the books in the world could not have prepared her for the turn her life would take as she married and raised a large family.Nina and her husband, Bruce, currently live in Destin, FL. Married nearly forty years, they have raised ten children. Many of the stories that Nina writes about have been taken from events that occurred during the course of raising her family. In fact, her children were most often the inspiration for her writings. Although her children are now grown, there are many grandchildren who visit on a regular basis and provide fresh inspiration for writing.

Book preview

The Mystery of the Missing Newspapers

The Adventures of the Little Boys

by Nina Swartzwelder

Illustrated by Lyn Gray

Published by Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

INTRODUCTION

Willie had wanted so desperately to please his father. And what did he have to show for it? A picture window broken so badly that it looked like a giant spider web.

It seemed that everywhere Willie turned, he was in trouble. Today had been no exception.

***

It all started so innocently for the eleven-year-old. He and his six-year-old twin brothers, John and Jamie, were trying to raise money to buy a new pair of boots for their dad’s birthday.

Willie had tried to get his mom to give them the money, but she had refused. Something about being responsible and the gift meaning more if he earned his own money. Willie couldn’t see how it made any difference.

Then Willie thought about the contest. It had been scheduled to start at nine o’clock that Saturday morning. Willie looked at his watch again. He and his brothers had planned this so well, nothing could go wrong.

Occasionally, John or Jamie wandered out and asked, Can I hit a ball?

No. We can’t make any money if you guys hit the balls and lose them all.

The plan had been to charge everyone two dollars to hit a golf ball. The one who hit it for the longest distance would win a ten-dollar prize. Willie was sure it would be a success. There were so many kids in the neighborhood. If everything went like Willie planned, they should have almost enough money by lunchtime to buy the boots. Now, at nearly ten a.m. and still no customers, he wasn’t so sure.

Just one? I only want to hit one. John was back again.

No, John. Get lost.

Why not, Willie? You’re afraid I’ll hit one better than you.

Yeah. Jamie was quick to speak up for his twin. It was odd that they were twins, yet looked so different. John was a dark blond-headed fireball with big, deep blue eyes. In contrast, Jamie was tow headed with fair skin and pale blue eyes.

I can’t let you. You don’t have any money.

I do too. John fumbled in the pocket of his shorts. See, I’ve got a dollar.

That’s not enough. You know it costs two dollars. Besides, if I let you and you won, everyone would say we cheated, and they would want their money back. So, NO FAMILY!

Willie pushed his dark blond hair back from his eyes. He avoided his dad every time he mentioned getting a hair cut. He hated it when they cut his hair and it fell all over his face. Somehow, the lady always managed to get it in his mouth and down his shirt. And then he itched for the rest of the day. But today, it was hot and he wished he had gotten it cut.

Willie searched for the golf tee in the pocket of his jean shorts. The pockets were beginning to wear thin.

CHAPTER ONE

John didn’t like it when Willie bossed him around. He turned and headed for the house.

Mom! . . . Mom!

That was the last thing Willie needed. His mom had already warned him about telling his brothers to shut up and calling them stupid. He’d be dead if she knew they were going to hit golf balls in the yard. He had to think of something quick to keep John from telling on him. Suddenly, a thought came to him.

John. Go out front and get the newspaper. Let’s see if our ad is in it. Maybe they forgot to print it and that’s why nobody has showed up.

The idea sounded good to John. He turned away from the house and started around the yard to get the newspaper. Jamie followed. The two were almost inseparable.

Willie waited for them to get out of sight. Once they disappeared around the corner, he pulled the golf tee from his pocket and stuck it into the ground. He placed a golf ball on top, and then picked up the club. He was certain he could hit the ball farther than John. He took a couple of practice swings. Surely it couldn’t hurt to hit just one ball. After all, how far could it go?

Willie glanced around to make sure no one was watching. He took a few more practice swings, and then let loose with one of the most powerful swings he had ever mustered. It was a thing of beauty until the ball hit the window. He couldn’t believe how quickly the spider web veins spread across the window.

Willie ran across the yard to make sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. He put his finger to the window and traced one of the many cracks weaving its way across the glass. There would be no denying this. The window was shattered. Even though it was only an old guesthouse they used for storage, Willie knew the window would be expensive to replace.

Willie swallowed hard, but couldn’t push away the sinking feeling in his stomach. No matter how great his plans for the day had been, he knew it would only get worse. Willie dropped the club and turned