*Tree Street Kids: Lions to the Rescue! and Mystery in Crooked Creek Woods

The Tree Street Kids series continues as Jack, Ellison, Roger, Ruthie and Midge develop new and better friendships, and also solve a mystery.

Tree Street Kids series by Amanda Cleary Eastep, illustrated by Aedan Peterson: Lions to the Rescue! and Mystery in Crooked Creek Woods. Moody, 2022.

cover image of tree street kids lions to the rescue

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10

Recommended For: Ages 8-10

Lions to the Rescue!

Jack’s adjustment to a new neighborhood and making new friends continues when he joins his friend Ellison at a new school. He is eager to be accepted by DJ and the guys on the peewee football team, but Ellison would rather sign up for the Library Club.

How can he persuade Ellison to play football while supporting his friend’s love of reading, AND care enough to try to understand the challenges Ellison faces with having a different skin color?

Inspired by an old photograph of an early book wagon, Jack modifies Ellison’s bike to make a bookmobile so he can make book recommendations and deliveries throughout the neighborhood. When things don’t go as smoothly as he had hoped, his friendship with Ellison is jeopardized.

Difficult providences unfold, leading to blessings in disguise as Jack’s Dad finds himself with more time to help his son repair the damages, and new neighborhood bridges are built.

cover image of tree street kids mystery in crooked creek woods

Mystery in the Crooked Creek Woods

When Jack and Ellison try their pen at writing a mystery for a young authors’ contest and practice their impersonation of the great detectives Poirot and Holmes, weird lights at night and men in black seem to indicate a real mystery is at hand in their neighborhood.

Jack already has the villain figured out, but what is he doing down in the canyon, who else is involved, and why?

Also, the news that Mr. Bruno is moving to California brings a new problem: where will the Tree Street Kids hold their meetings without their neighbor’s permission to use Da Bomb Shelter?!

There’s a whole lot of candy eating at the end when the moment of truth arrives.

Tree Street Kids Series

Eastep’s series somewhat resembles a book list with a story woven throughout. It’s also a tribute to her love of nature, fascinating facts, and writing. I chuckled a few times at the humor, and appreciate that the stories include Jack’s growing faith in God while avoid triteness.

Gently handling themes of racism, reconciliation, family concerns, friendship, and loving your neighbor in general, Eastep continues the Tree Street Kids series as solidly as she began.

Win a copy of both books!

Who is your favorite literary detective, OR what is your favorite mystery series? Leave a comment below! Winner will be drawn at random.

DEADLINE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2022 AT NOON, EST.

Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5

  • Worldview/Moral Rating: 5 out of 5
  • Literary/Artistic Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Read more about our ratings here.

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Megan Saben

Megan is Associate Editor for Redeemed Reader, and she loves nothing more than discovering Truth and Story in literature. She is the author of Something Better Coming, and is quite particular about which pottery mug is best suited to her favorite hot drinks throughout the day. Megan lives with her husband and five boys in Virginia.

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118 Comments

  1. Sarah on August 4, 2022 at 8:26 am

    My kids’ favorite detective is Encyclopedia Brown! I think my favorite right now is Myrtle Hardcastle.

    • Savannah on August 5, 2022 at 5:41 pm

      Father Brown is one of my favorites!

  2. Jessica Hightower on August 4, 2022 at 8:33 am

    I love Nancy Drew books! Definitely my favorite mystery series!

  3. JulieZilkie on August 4, 2022 at 8:49 am

    I would love to win a copy of this for my 10 year old son! If I don’t I will be purchasing regardless!!

  4. Barbara Gum on August 4, 2022 at 10:12 am

    My oldest 8-year-old grandson is an avid reader, so I am always on the lookout for good news reads for him. I will definitely be looking into these mysteries for him! As far as mysteries, I love the old Nancy Drew books.

  5. Brooke on August 4, 2022 at 10:32 am

    Peroit!!!!

  6. Brittany on August 4, 2022 at 10:47 am

    These look great

    • Nicole on August 5, 2022 at 12:28 pm

      I enjoy Mma Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.

  7. Brenna on August 4, 2022 at 2:43 pm

    I love mystery books, so it is hard to narrow it down to one detective! I’ll choose a lesser known series: Nero Wolfe mysteries by Rex Stout. Witty & clever series set in New York in the 1930s.

  8. Becca on August 4, 2022 at 3:28 pm

    My children’s favorite mysteries right now are the Boxcar Children.

    • Gina on August 5, 2022 at 8:49 pm

      The Boxcar children are my kids favorite right now too 🙂

  9. Eliza LeBlanc on August 4, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    Gotta say Miss Marple 😉

  10. Hannah P on August 4, 2022 at 4:38 pm

    Sugar Creek Gang books are fun, wholesome mysteries that have captured my boys’ attention (8 and 10). This new series looks like it’d be right up their alley!! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!

  11. Julie on August 4, 2022 at 4:58 pm

    Nancy drew was my first mystery series love as a kid! It’s hard to beat books that made you fall in love with reading and book series. 🙂

  12. Jamie on August 4, 2022 at 4:59 pm

    I think my daughter will love these! Would love to add them to our bookshelves. It’s so hard to find books like this.

    • Jamie on August 4, 2022 at 9:31 pm

      Whoops hit submit too quickly! We’ve enjoyed Nancy Drew- love that they have many levels for kids and my early reader loves Nate the Great!

    • Emily Casto on August 5, 2022 at 2:57 pm

      Kids like Boxcar Children, Magic Treehouse, Sugarcreek Gang. Thanks!

  13. Ashley Meyers on August 4, 2022 at 5:39 pm

    Sherlock Holmes!

  14. Angela on August 4, 2022 at 7:06 pm

    We’ve looked Nancy Drew, Boxcar Children and Geronimo Stilton at various ages.

  15. Kylie on August 5, 2022 at 6:39 am

    Nancy drew and we haven’t read yet but got the fancy Nancy clue books.

  16. BeachTrail on August 5, 2022 at 11:59 am

    Wollstonecraft Detective Agency

  17. Jennie on August 5, 2022 at 12:00 pm

    These new books look awesome for my adventurous boy. I would have to say Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew for mystery favorites.

  18. Eowyn on August 5, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    My boys’ favorite mystery characters are the Hardy Boys. They especially love listening to the audiobooks over and over again!

  19. Morgan on August 5, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    The Boxcar Children – hands down!

  20. Karina Gross on August 5, 2022 at 12:02 pm

    My students love Jerry Jenkins’ Red Rock Mysteries.

  21. Zoë Coughlin on August 5, 2022 at 12:03 pm

    Nancy Drew!

  22. Kaeb Coughlin on August 5, 2022 at 12:05 pm

    Agatha Christie

  23. Shea Patrick on August 5, 2022 at 12:05 pm

    Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys are still our favorites!

  24. Ian Coughlin on August 5, 2022 at 12:06 pm

    Magic Treehouse

  25. Ava Coughlin on August 5, 2022 at 12:06 pm

    Babysitters Club

  26. Alison W on August 5, 2022 at 12:07 pm

    Encyclopedia Brown!

  27. Nicole on August 5, 2022 at 12:08 pm

    My oldest son really likes the Spy School series!

  28. Nicole on August 5, 2022 at 12:11 pm

    Mine is Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. My daughter enjoyed Boxcar children.

  29. Melissa on August 5, 2022 at 12:11 pm

    Nancy Drew and Boxcar Children!

  30. Amanda on August 5, 2022 at 12:11 pm

    My kids have loved the Boxcar Children and also the Mysterious Benedict Society.

  31. James Economidis on August 5, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    I am a big fan of Sherlock Holmes. Also, I really like Inspector French by Freeman Wills Crofts.

  32. Melanie on August 5, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    Sherlock Holmes

  33. Nicki on August 5, 2022 at 12:13 pm

    My son loves the Sugar Creek Gang series!

  34. Dorothy on August 5, 2022 at 12:14 pm

    My daughter, who has read the first 2 Tree Street Kids books and enjoyed them, loves Nancy Drew and pretty much any mystery book she reads!

  35. Ben on August 5, 2022 at 12:14 pm

    My son’s favorite detective is Geronimo Stilton for sure! As far as books for older readers go, I can’t go wrong with Agatha Christie (cheating I know!).

  36. Liz on August 5, 2022 at 12:16 pm

    Boxcar Children

  37. Lori-Anne on August 5, 2022 at 12:17 pm

    My younger ones like Boxcar children, older ones like the Fun Jungle series by Stuart Gibbs and still like Hardy Boys.

  38. Jesse Lawrence on August 5, 2022 at 12:23 pm

    Brother Bear from the Berenstain Bears is my favorite!

  39. Donna Gabbard on August 5, 2022 at 12:26 pm

    Nancy Drew!

  40. Michelle on August 5, 2022 at 12:28 pm

    My daughter says Matthias from Redwall, and she justifies that Redwall counts as a mystery series because of the riddles.

  41. Kelly Gabrielson on August 5, 2022 at 12:30 pm

    My kids love Max B Kid Spy!

  42. Jamie Hudson on August 5, 2022 at 12:31 pm

    I really enjoy Louise Penny and the Inspector Gamache series! As a kid I loved Nancy Drew.

  43. Kevin on August 5, 2022 at 12:33 pm

    Our favorite mystery books are the Nate the a great series!

  44. Michelle Fournier on August 5, 2022 at 12:36 pm

    My favorite literary detective has to be the hilarious Amelia Peabody☺️. The mystery is never too intense which I appreciate. Not all my kids are mystery fans, but Encyclopedia Brown is likely the favorite of my one mystery-loving child.

  45. Chloe on August 5, 2022 at 12:45 pm

    Sherlock Holmes sets the standard for great mystery!

  46. Christy W on August 5, 2022 at 12:50 pm

    I really like Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence. And Sayers’ Lord Peter, of course.

  47. Amy Wells on August 5, 2022 at 12:51 pm

    Nancy Drew as a child and Armand Gamache as an adult. My girls love Geronimo Stilton!

  48. Abbi on August 5, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    My boys really lovely the Ballpark Mystery series. I think they would really like those too!

  49. Ellen Fisher on August 5, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    We like boxcar children around here!

  50. Maureen Birkett on August 5, 2022 at 12:55 pm

    Right now it is Flavia De Luce.

  51. Danielle on August 5, 2022 at 12:57 pm

    We have been listening to the first Charlie Thorne book and really enjoying it.

  52. Ashlee on August 5, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    My daughter really enjoys the Boxcar Children.

  53. Jessica K on August 5, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    We love Nancy Drew and the Boxcar children! We would love a chance to win these…thanks!

  54. Abby on August 5, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    Lord Peter Whimsey is my favorite literary detective!

  55. Ivey Ireland on August 5, 2022 at 1:07 pm

    My son is devouring Hardy Boys!

  56. Nicole on August 5, 2022 at 1:07 pm

    I enjoy Mma Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

  57. Cathy on August 5, 2022 at 1:14 pm

    Mom loves Poirot and Miss Marple. Sister likes Secrets of the Manor. Brother likes Butt Detective ( a series published in Mandarain).

  58. Jamie on August 5, 2022 at 1:14 pm

    Nancy Drew forever! She always knows when to pause for a delicious sounding snack.

  59. Bonnie on August 5, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    Tom and Liz Austen Mystery Series by Eric Wilson.

  60. Tracy on August 5, 2022 at 1:24 pm

    I love Agatha Christie for her mysteries and Dorothy Sayers for her excellent writing! My daughter has read the Aggie Morton series and really likes the Nancy Drew diary series.

  61. Mae on August 5, 2022 at 1:41 pm

    We have loved Nancy Drew and the Boxcar Children! We also just discovered the American Girl Mystery series and my 10 year loves them.

    • Matt H on August 5, 2022 at 4:45 pm

      My son has started reading Cooper Kids by Frank Peretti.

  62. Melissa on August 5, 2022 at 1:45 pm

    Thea Stilton
    Maryellen (American Girl)
    Baker Family Adventures
    Encyclopedia Brown

  63. J W on August 5, 2022 at 1:47 pm

    My daughter and I really enjoy reading the Enola Holmes series by Nancy Springer.

  64. Emily on August 5, 2022 at 1:49 pm

    Lord Peter Wimsey!

  65. Jessica Brady on August 5, 2022 at 2:04 pm

    For kids my fav is Nancy drew, for adults I love Sherlock Holmes but Miss Marple by Agatha Christie is my second fav!

  66. Maria on August 5, 2022 at 2:08 pm

    My current favourite series is “Inspector Gamache” by Louise Penny.

  67. Kristy on August 5, 2022 at 2:10 pm

    Nate the great was one of our first chapter books that we loved. And Hank the cowdog. Does that count as mystery? 😊

  68. Corrie David on August 5, 2022 at 2:21 pm

    Hercule Peroit

  69. Cara on August 5, 2022 at 2:36 pm

    Auxier is our favorite mystery writer!

  70. Joy on August 5, 2022 at 2:47 pm

    GK Chesterton’s Father Brown

  71. Tom Bubb on August 5, 2022 at 2:49 pm

    My favorite detective series growing up (the one that started it all for me) was Encyclopedia Brown. Still classics in my opinion.

  72. Angela on August 5, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    I recently discovered Myrtle Hardcastle and I love her! I can’t wait for my daughter to be a little older so I can share the Myrtle books with her.

  73. Stacey on August 5, 2022 at 2:55 pm

    Nancy Drew as a kid. Lady Hardcastle and also The Thursday Murder Club now.

  74. Andrea D on August 5, 2022 at 3:00 pm

    Nancy Drew was a favorite when I was growing up! It isn’t drawing in my oldest quite the way it did for me, but that’s okay. My second is just about the perfect age for these “Tree Street Kids” books- I’m excited to have a new idea for him!

  75. Angela V on August 5, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    This look fantastic! My kids like the A-Z Mystery crew and I love all things Agatha Christie!

  76. Victoria on August 5, 2022 at 3:35 pm

    Nancy Drew is a favorite from the time I was a young girl reading them.

  77. Jodi on August 5, 2022 at 3:42 pm

    The Boxcar Children

  78. Kirsten on August 5, 2022 at 3:46 pm

    Ayelet (7) says the Nancy Drew and her buddies Bess and George. Ari (9) says the Hardy brothers. Mom (43) says The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency!

  79. Andrea B. on August 5, 2022 at 3:48 pm

    Trixie Belden.

  80. Erin N on August 5, 2022 at 4:11 pm

    Boxcar children are the favorite in our home!

  81. Sunshine on August 5, 2022 at 4:36 pm

    Nancy Drew was my favourite as a child, and my daughter really enjoyed her too, while my sons preferred Encyclopedia Brown.

  82. Elsey on August 5, 2022 at 4:38 pm

    I love all of the Sherlock Holmes books! Watson is the best!

  83. Connie on August 5, 2022 at 4:44 pm

    The Nancy Drew and Hardy Book series !!

  84. Alysia on August 5, 2022 at 4:44 pm

    Our favorite mystery series are Boxcar Children and Sugar Creek Gang.

  85. Chloe on August 5, 2022 at 5:20 pm

    My favorite detectives are Hercule Poirot and Mary Russell(in the Beekeeper’s Apprentice).

  86. Jenny on August 5, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    I love the old Nancy Drew! I would so appreciate winning these books as I am setting up a library in my middle school classroom this year.

  87. Jessica B. on August 5, 2022 at 5:39 pm

    My favorite detective? Hercule Poirot books by Agatha Christie! I was almost 40 before I read a Christie book and was hooked!
    My 11 year old loves this series and would be thrilled to win!

  88. Jodi on August 5, 2022 at 5:46 pm

    For the kids: Boxcar Children, A to Z Mysteries and Roman Mysteries!
    For me: The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Gray Whale Inn, and the Cat Who!

  89. Claire on August 5, 2022 at 5:59 pm

    Sherlock Holmes and the Hardy Boys 🙂

  90. Joanna on August 5, 2022 at 6:47 pm

    Joy Sparton

  91. Rhonda Ripke on August 5, 2022 at 7:08 pm

    Nancy Drew for me for sure. Have always loved those and now try to encourage the kiddos that come into the library to give them a try!

  92. Wendi Shipe on August 5, 2022 at 7:18 pm

    I was a big fan of Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden as a child. I am currently loving the books by Louise Penny.

  93. Cindy on August 5, 2022 at 8:53 pm

    I know so many before me have mentioned the same thing, but I just loved the old Nancy Drew books as a kid. Those are the books I remember reading out on the swing set, at the dining room table, on the bus, at my desk when I got done with my school work, under a sheet with a flashlight at night, etc!

  94. Heather Zalenski on August 5, 2022 at 8:57 pm

    Mysteries are the best!

  95. Amy Westra on August 5, 2022 at 9:25 pm

    Mysterious Benedict Society

  96. Alyx Taylor on August 5, 2022 at 10:27 pm

    Sherlock Holmes is my hero!

  97. Katie on August 5, 2022 at 10:53 pm

    I am a big Inspector Gamache fan!

  98. Maggie on August 6, 2022 at 2:02 am

    Sherlock Holmes and Father Brown

  99. Meghan Shaffer on August 6, 2022 at 3:43 am

    Mine are the Louise Penny books. My kids haven’t been exposed to very many mystery books, but I do have a daughter who loves Nancy Drew 🙂

  100. Ruth Oates on August 6, 2022 at 4:17 am

    Always loved Nancy Drew as a young girl. This summer I’ve been reading mysteries by Josephine Tey. Her Inspector Grant is amazing with a good combination of intuition and solid sleuthing.

  101. Amanda Mitchell on August 6, 2022 at 4:33 am

    We really like Precious Botswana. She is a young version of the Ladies detective agency, by Alexander McCall Smith.

  102. BethAnn Lawrence on August 6, 2022 at 4:55 am

    Miss Marple

  103. Amber Nicholson on August 6, 2022 at 5:54 am

    Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and Hercule Poirot.

  104. Caroline on August 6, 2022 at 6:46 am

    Our family loves Boxcar Children & all sports mystery books (Zach & Zoe, Ballpark, etc.)

  105. Andrea Jones on August 6, 2022 at 6:54 am

    Boxcar children, Nancy drew!

  106. Melia Weatherford on August 6, 2022 at 7:07 am

    I don’t read mysteries much as an adult, but as a kid I loved Encyclopedia Brown and the Boxcar Children.

  107. Anne Merrin Clemmer on August 6, 2022 at 7:58 am

    My girls are OBSESSED with the Boxcar Children; one is even writing her own spin-off series. My favorite detective is Inspector Gamache for his gentle humility and endurance of all manner of abuse, quietly confident that he will be vindicated in the end.

  108. Jessica on August 6, 2022 at 8:22 am

    We like Nate the Great, Trixie Belden, Poirot, Alan Grant and Lord Peter.

  109. Tracy H on August 6, 2022 at 8:57 am

    Father Brown

  110. Brenda on August 6, 2022 at 3:48 pm

    My daughter loves Nancy Drew. I loved her as a kid, but grew into Agatha Christie. I am currently trying my first Dorothy Sayers.

  111. Sarah on August 8, 2022 at 9:32 am

    I liked the Mandi series by Lois Gladys Leppard as a girl

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