Newspaper Caper

by Max Elliot Anderson

Book Overview

Tom Stevens was a super salesman. He and his friends delivered newspapers early every morning. Along their route, the boys often saw some pretty strange things. Then, one day, they actually became the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0972925643
• ISBN13: 9780972925648
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Tweener Press
• Length: 135 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

A pager turner!

Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (4/06) Tom Stevens and his best friends Jimmy Wilson and Matt Woodbridge are 12 year old boys who live in Rock Island, IL near the Mississippi River. It is summer, and the boys want to earn some money, so Tom, a master salesman, talks his friends into taking on three paper routes in the neighborhood which means the boys must awaken each day at 4:30 A.M. in order to get the papers wrapped and delivered on time. He tells his friends this will get them in shape for trying out and playing football in the fall; all three boys' dream. A daily reward for the boys is their delivery at Big Bob's Doughnut Shop where Bob generously treats the boys to orange juice and a doughnut each day. What a reward for a 12 year old boy! All goes well for the boys, besides the occasional dog chasing after them, until they begin to see some odd things happening in the early morning hours. A truck bearing the words SMITTY'S TOWING acts very odd and leaves quickly when the driver sees the boys have noticed him, and he quickly drives away without towing the intended car. Soon after, the boys learn of unexplained car thefts occurring around town. Jimmy's uncle owns P.J.'s Auto Repair, so the boys begin hanging around and asking questions, trying to learn all they can about why the mysterious truck acted as it did, thinking someone at the repair shop might have some knowledge about Smitty's Towing. They boys learn about chop shops and what happens to cars after they are stolen and how reselling car parts is a very lucrative business. The boys are surprised to learn that sometimes a car thief will make a deal with the car owner so that when the car shell is found, the original owner can turn this loss into their insurance company and get paid for their loss. They learn the insurance company comes out the loser in this situation, but in reality, we ultimately all pay with higher rates. Deceit hurts everyone. Exciting times ensue for the three boys, and they see some strange things going on around town; such as one person gets out and deposits his trash in a container, then along comes another person who takes the trash out and drives off with it! They encounter vicious guard dogs, and they come up with some quite ingenious ways to subdue the animals. The boys also learn of some resources available at the library that are helpful in their quest to unravel the puzzle. While investigating some leads, Tom meets a little old lady on a park bench near the library whom he learns has had her car, a last gift from her now deceased husband, stolen. He promises the little old lady he will do all he can to help her find her car again, for she now must take a bus or walk everywhere she goes, but even more importantly, for sentimental reasons. The license plate bearing the title "PRINCESS" is especially meaningful to the little lady. The boys get in several very precarious circumstances and the story is exciting! The plot will ke

A Great Start to an Exciting series of Books

12-yr old Tom Stevens is a paper boy. A born leader and 'business man,' Tom parleys everything he touches into a money-making enterprise. "When he was only four, Tom was the first boy on his street to set up a lemonade stand -- in January. And, even though snow already covered the ground, people still stopped and bought some. He could just as easily sell hot chocolate on the most sweltering day of the summer if he wanted to."Thus Max Anderson introduces us to Tom. With his two best friends Jimmy and Matt, Tom runs one of the largest newspaper routes in his home town. But Tom isn't your ordinary kid. His is an inquisitive mind and when he spots something not quite right, he is determined to get to the bottom of it.That early in the morning, the boys often saw some pretty strange things: customers locked outside their house while retrieving the paper just delivered, not necessarily ready to meet the world - like a lady in curlers and green stuff on her face. But the boys instinctively adopted a rule of silence about what they saw on their daily route. However, one morning, during their summer vacation, while it is still dark, the boys notice a tow-truck backing up to the car parked in the driveway of one of their customers. A man gets out of the truck and approaches the car, while in the cab sits another man. Tom gets a glimpse of him. He wears a light blue shirt with a nametag on the front and a patch on the sleeve. The man had dark hair. Though his face was hidden, Tom saw the name on his shirt -- "Jake."But the man outside the truck sees the boys and instead of hooking up the car to tow it away he quickly runs back to the truck, jumps in and drives away with squealing tires and a trail of blue smoke. "That's strange," thought Tom. And the investigation is on.Max says he really hated to read, and everything he tried to read failed to hold his interest. He wanted "music, action, and moving pictures...not just a bunch of words." So, he set out to write a book that he would like. NEWSPAPER CAPER is the start of an adventure series he developed will hold the interest of ...'Tweeners' - ages 8-13, especially boys."I loved this book - and I'm a girl! And I'm definitely not a Tweener. Yet this book captivated me from the first page. I think Max has done exactly what he set out to do - and beyond. I'd give this book SIX stars, if there were such a thing. Max, you're on the right track, and I wish you all the best!

Heartland Review of Newspaper Caper

Newspaper Caper is a wonderful mid-grade mystery adventure book for reluctant readers. Tom Stevens is a nine-year-old businessman who has talked he two best friends into working for him on his morning newspaper route. They witness, try to solve, and become enmeshed in a car theft ring.This book teaches the work ethic, honesty and many positive values, while not preaching. The action is fast, and young people will quickly get pulled into the story. We feel this author is providing a much-needed resource for those readers who would rather not read if they don't have to. We rated it five hearts.

Good Story

ISBN: 0-9729256-4-3Title: Newspaper CaperAuthor: Max Elliot AndersonIllustrator: Paul S TrittinPublisher: Tweener PressEarly on, Max Anderson was a reluctant reader. His audience for this intriguing tale is other reluctant readers, especially boys from age 9 to 13. "Newspaper Caper" may have been penned with boys in mind but I am confident that girls will enjoy each and every page. Anderson has presented us with an adventure so well written that the life lessons within flow as a natural part of his story. Tom and his friends Jimmy and Matt have a large newspaper route. They rise at four in the morning to; pick up, fold and deliver papers. One morning while delivering papers they see a tow truck back up to one of their customer's car. When the driver spots the boys, the truck speeds away. Tom has been reading about the number of stolen cars in his city and he is suspicious and determined to investigate. He seeks advice, is told to be absolutely sure of his facts first. What follows is a great adventure. Anderson's narrative is well plotted, the characters and their dialogue are realistic and the lessons sprinkled throughout are subtle but timely. I would gladly recommend this book to young readers.Beverly J Scott author of "Righteous Revenge" and "Ruth Fever." Reviewer for Intriguing Authors and Their Books at http://www.funeralassociates.com/authors.htm

A Can't Miss Choice For Tweener Boys

This is an exciting book from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the clever but easy to follow plot, the believable characters, the realistic dialog, and the fun, family friendly humor. Parts of the book really keep you on the edge of your seat, too. This is exactly like the books I loved to read as a kid. I guess that's why I really enjoyed reading this particular book as an adult, too!I guarantee that any boy who has yet to discover the thrill and enjoyment of reading as well as those who already love to read will enjoy this book from cover to cover. In fact, I am looking forward to giving a copy to my grandson.