Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of holiday books – except a few select Thanksgiving & Christmas books. But at my local library I found a Valentine’s Day book I really enjoyed.

I have always enjoyed Nate the Great, the star of short mysteries for children learning to read. Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat will especially delight boys who are not crazy about Valentine’s Day.

In it, Nate the Great finds a mysterious mushy valentine on his dog’s doghouse. He decides his dog would like him to discover who sent this valentine, and starts investigating.

Then his friend Annie comes with a problem – her valentine is missing! Now Nate has not one, but two Valentine mysteries to solve. And Nate the Great does not like Valentine’s Day. But he soldiers on, and investigates both problems.

How will he solve this case? By asking lots of questions, and thinking hard over a batch of pancakes and syrup.

Recommended for ages 5 – 9, depending upon reading level.