In the first book of this series we were introduced to King. He’s a dog, and a detective, who solved mysteries with his human, Kayla. When his family didn’t return as planned from a trip to Springtown to visit Grandma, King ended up in the P-O-U-N-D. By being friendly, King, now known as Buddy, was adopted.

In the second book, The Case of the Mixed-Up Mutts, Buddy is adjusting to living with his new family, a boy named Connor and his mother. They live in his old neighborhood. As the book begins, Buddy is once again thinking about looking for his first family. But before he can begin his search, he becomes involved in a new mystery, two dogs have been switched! Can Buddy help them both get back to their real owners? While Buddy is helping these two dogs find their homes, he uses the (dog) Network to help the dogs who were switched. Buddy’s plan to help the two dogs also helps him. He learns more about Springtown, where Kayla and her Dad went. Maybe something really did happen to them while they were there.

In the third book, The Case of the Missing Family, Buddy notices people moving furniture out of the house where he lived with Kayla and her family. He decides he must investigate and try to find out what happened to Kayla and her family. By now, thanks to the Network, Buddy has learned that there was a tornado in Springtown. Who are the people taking furniture from Kayla’s house and where are they taking the furniture – to Kayla and her family?  Is Kayla’s Mom still away with the National Guard? Are they all OK?

When Buddy realizes he knows the people who are taking things away from his old house he decides to take action. He will stowaway in the van and see if it takes him to Kayla. Read book three to find out if Buddy finds Kayla and finally solves his most difficult mystery. A fun to read series about dogs and their people by Dori Hillestad Butler.

Updated April 2012

There are two additional books available in our collection as part of The Buddy Files series:  The Case of the Fire Alarm and The Case of the Library Monster.

It's that time of year when parents are looking for schools for their new kindergartners - but it their kindergartner really ready for school?  Many parents are opting to delay their child's entry into kindergarten by a year based on the recommendations of the teachers.  One of the most important of the skills and abilities that your child should have before they enter kindergarten for the first time is to be able to sit still for at least 5-10 minutes.  Bringing your child to storytime may serve as a useful gauge to see if they can cooperate with other children, can sit for longer than 5 minutes, can listen to a book, and can follow instructions - all of which are skills necessary for a successful time in kindergarten.