Carole Marsh has written several series of fun and educational mystery books. The "Real Kids, Real Places" series has 19 books--each one set in a real place in America. Of The Mystery at Walt Disney World, my daughter Gracie (7) says, "I like that the characters are real kids. I like that they call their grandparents Mimi and Papa because that's what I call mine too! I really like that the book is about a real place that I have been because I could picture the places in my head as I read about them. It makes me want to go back to Disney World." Of the eight books in the "Around the World in 80 Mysteries" series, we reviewed The Mystery at Mount Fuji. Gracie's opinion: "It was fun to read about Christina and Grant going to Japan. I liked learning about Mount Fuji. I also liked learning to write some words in Japanese. Can we go there sometime?"

Carole has several others mystery series: "Masters of Disasters" (3 scientific mysteries), "Postcard Mysteries" (3 postcard puzzle stories), "Awesome Mysteries" (2 animal-related mysteries), "Criss-Cross Applesauce" (3 great stories for girls), "Three Amigos" (3 great stories for boys), "Pretty Darn Scary Mysteries" (4 books about legend, lore, history, and mystery), and "Fantasy Field Trips" (3 books set in out-of-this-world locations). Carole has been writing children's mysteries since 1979. She started writing them so that kids would be encouraged to go and see the places that they had read about. What a great homeschool activity! Her locales have changed over time, and some of the places would be impossible to visit today. But the books definitely encourage kids to dream and to want to learn more about the places they are reading about.

On Carole's website, kids can join the Carole Marsh Fan Club, receive a free poster, and even apply to be a character in a future Carole Marsh book! Parents can download free worksheets that correspond to the books, as well as Book Club Discussion Questions and Activities. I love this because the learning can be expanded well beyond the pages of the book.

Carole Marsh has written, and continues to write, great books for kids! We will definitely be purchasing more of them, and I would encourage you to introduce them to your children as well.