Texas Trail to Calamity: A QUIX Book

By Robert Quackenbush

World-famous duck-tective Miss Mallard must thwart a thief in this mystery that launches QUIX, a new line of fun-to-read short chapter books that are perfect for emerging readers.

A runaway horse and a mysterious ranch in the Texas prairie have the intrepid Miss Millard on the trail of a plot to steal priceless artifacts! Bestselling author Robert Quackenbush’s super-sleuth is on the case to solve the latest mystery!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aladdin
• Release date: May 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781534413115

Robert Quackenbush

Robert Quackenbush (1929–2021), the author and illustrator of more than two hundred books for young readers, was a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and also had a master’s degree in social studies and a PhD in childhood education. Quackenbush’s many books include the Henry the Duck series, Detective Mole, the Miss Mallard Mystery series, Pete Pack Rat, and the Sheriff Sally Gopher series. He was the three-time winner of the American Flag Institute Award for outstanding contributions to children’s literature and winner of an Edgar Allan Poe Special Award for best juvenile mystery. He lived in New York City with his wife, Margery, director of NAAP. Their now adult son, Piet, was the inspiration for many of the author’s books when he was growing up.

Book preview

What’s in Miss Mallard’s Bag?

Miss Mallard has many detective tools she brings with her on her adventures around the world.

In her knitting bag she usually has:

• Newspaper clippings

• Knitting needles and yarn

• A magnifying glass

• A flashlight

• A mirror

• A travel guide

• Chocolates for her nephew

Contents

Cast of Characters

What’s in Miss Mallard’s Bag?

Chapter 1: Lost on the Prairie

Chapter 2: Old Treasure

Chapter 3: Mysterious Notes

Chapter 4: At the Cookout

Chapter 5: Scene of the Crime

Chapter 6: Telltale Prints

Chapter 7: The Arrest

Word List

Questions

Acknowledgments

About the Author

1

Lost on the Prairie

Miss Mallard, the world-famous ducktective, was on vacation at a dude ranch in Texas. Late one afternoon she went horseback riding.

Out on the trail, her horse was suddenly frightened by a bouncing tumbleweed.

Her horse squealed and reared up on his hind legs. Miss Mallard went crashing to the ground, knitting bag and all. Then her horse galloped back to the ranch.

She was left alone on the prairie to find her own way back.

Soon it grew dark. Miss Mallard saw some lights in the distance and headed toward them. At last she came to a huge, old house.

Miss Mallard firmly clutched her knitting bag and climbed the steps of the spooky-looking house. When she