Tales of Mystery is a series of eight phonics books influenced by the Chronicles of Narnia. Children are transported by a twister to another world in the clouds ruled by animals. This series is our toughest elementary school interest series containing the most sophisticated vocabulary of the five. It can be utilized any where from second grade and above.
Reading Level: 1.0 to 5.6
Phonics Concepts: One Syllable, Two Syllable, and Multi Syllable Words; Open/Closed Syllables, Consonant Digraphs, Blends, Vowel Tag, Vowel Change, Silent E, R-Controlled Vowels, Diphthongs, Vowel Teams, Complex Vowel Teams, Advanced Vowel Teams, Final Syllables
Length: 33 – 46 pages
Genre: Fantasy/Mystery
Intended Audience: Elementary School Students
Enchanted Rock
Follow the Grant family on a camping adventure filled with danger, mystery, and magical encounters with talking animals.
Grade Level: 0.7 – 1.0
Concept: Consonant Digraphs (chant, path), Blends (plump, front)
Excerpt: “Both boys jumped up and ran to check the hotdogs on the grill. Just then, the girls ran into camp. Skip, wet and dripping, ran with them.”
Magic
Dive into the heartwarming tale of Magic, a talented horse who can toss Frisbees and play soccer.
Grade Level: 1.1 – 1.7
Concept: Open/Closed Syllables, Vowel Tag (chil/dren, per/fect), Suffixes (thankful, directly, sprinted)
Excerpt: “Mike called to Magic. The horse trotted up and snatched a carrot from Mike’s hand. Suddenly, Magic tossed the carrot into the air. Magic stretched his neck and grabbed the carrot again. Crunch! Crunch! The carrot was gone.”
Hobo the Detective
Join Judy and her talking monkey, Hobo, as they race against time to save their neighbors’ pets and tackle a mysterious case alongside Detective Pablo Sanchez.
Grade Level: 2.3 to 3.4
Concept: Open/Closed Syllables, Vowel Tag (win/dow, mem/ber), Vowel Change (i/dea, o/pen), Silent E (broke, pace),
Excerpt: “Hobo looked at the padlocks. All of them were the same brand. Hobo looked for the most likely key and put it in the lock of the cats’ cage. The lock popped open.”
Danger in the Dark
Brave a stormy night with Judy and Hobo as they investigate an eerie funnel cloud.
Grade Level: 3.2 to 3.4
Concept: R-Controlled Vowels (storm, turn, dark), Vowel Tag (ex/tra, hus/band), Vowel Change (lo/ca/tion, re/lax), Diphthongs (flood, loud, room)
Excerpt: “Hobo was swinging from tree to tree and making a high-pitched scream. Only dogs could hear this sound. As the monkey circled the neighborhood, he watched for the strange animal.”
Mystery of the Misty Clouds
Prepare for Halloween with Judy and Hobo as they uncover the secret of who is stealing neighborhood animals. Detective Sanchez returns to help crack the case.
Grade Level: 3.4 to 4.9
Concept: Diphthongs (awful, hound, point), Vowel Teams (breeze, rainy, clue), Vowel Tag (thun/der), Vowel Change (lo/cal), R-Controlled Vowels (perfect, circle)
Excerpt: “Hobo had a difficult time sitting still. He kept jumping out of his seat to check the weather. Judy kept fidgeting with her watch. Finally, the school bell rang. Hobo and Judy rushed from the classroom, through the halls, and out the front door.”
Panic in the Park
Follow Judy and Hobo on a thrilling quest to solve the mystery of impending storms and save endangered animals.
Grade Level: 4.3 to 5.0
Concept: Vowel Teams (afraid, approach), Complex Vowel Teams (head, high), Vowel Tag (en/trance), Vowel Change (re/cline), Diphthongs (around, group), R-Controlled Vowels (gorgeous, excursion)
Excerpt: “A loud knock awakened Judy and Hobo the next morning. Judy bounded out of bed, threw on her bathrobe, and walked downstairs. Meanwhile, Hobo opened the window, jumped onto the outside ledge, and slid down the rainspout.”
Shadows of the Cloud World
Enter the legendary Cloud World as Judy and Aretha are swept into a whirlwind adventure. Exploring the magical realm, they encounter mysteries and wonders alike.
Grade Level: 4.3 to 5.6
Concept: Complex Vowel Teams (leash, woozy), Advanced Vowel Teams (eight, neither), Vowel Tag (for/ma/tion), Vowel Change (o/ver, fa/vo/rite)
Excerpt: “Darkness descended quickly on the investigators. The clouds, like a dense fog, grew thicker and thicker. A strong wind howled and whipped across the monkey bars.”
Conflict in the Clouds
Journey with Judy and Aretha in the thrilling conclusion of the series as they meet Socrates the Owl and unlock the secrets of Cloud World.
Grade Level: 4.1 to 5.4
Concept: Complex Vowel Teams (cougar, steady), Advanced Vowel Teams (belief, light), Vowel Tag (en/er/gy), Vowel Change (fo/liage)
Excerpt: “Judy and Aretha sprinted down Main Street in an effort to catch up with Hobo and Socrates. As the girls passed shops along the way, diverse animals greeted them enthusiastically and joined their rush toward the town square.”
