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The Mystery of Craggy Hill

by E. P. Hartmann

82 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-2269; ISBN 1-4120-1891-9; US$13.50, C$15.85, EUR11.00, £8.00

This book is meant to grip the young reader. Its style is kept simple, the sentences short, it bursts with countless adventures, and it promises a continuation of the story.

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about the book      about the author      excerpts      catalogue info

About the Book This is a story of a boy and his friends. All four of them go to the same school, live in the same neighbourhood and have similar interests. Ben, the hero of the story, is initially a slow reader, but we soon learn how he discovers the key and beauty of learning to read - and to master it. Ben is gifted with artistic skills, which help him to get through his exams with ease. All four friends, and their dogs, have many adventures together, discover interesting things whilst they are all spending a holiday at a farm. There, they save the life of a boy, who is in danger of drowning in a nearby pond, and have many more adventures. In the country, at Craggy Hill, they make some mysterious discoveries. Unfortunately, those things have to be postponed until the following year, when they shall return to continue the story.

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About the Author E.P. Hartmann loved writing stories from a young age. When her younger sister grew up during and after the war, there were not many new books on the market. E.P. found a solution and wrote her own stories. At a later time, and with English as her second language, her gift was discovered, and she was encouraged to write for children. She managed to adopt a rather simple style, with which to address her young audience. This proved quite successful. The main secret of it all is that she loves writing. E.P. was also a teacher and enjoyed helping the "reluctant reader".

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Excerpts

Chapter 3 - Ben can do it

Ben and Tom parted at No 5 Calder Street. Tom went inside with good intentions. When Ben got home, he also sat down to do his school work. He was trying to do a bit of reading. Perhaps Mum could help, he thought. But then Mum was preparing the evening meal. This was a good enough excuse to do some of the easier fun-things first. He started drawing. "Ben," he reminded himself, "you have to revise the things which are hard for you." He got out a book which he had got from the library. He liked it right away. Suddenly, he didn't have to put letters together. Words that made sense jumped out of the text for him. They painted pictures for him in his mind. And the whole thing came together. It became enjoyable. "Hey, this is cool. I like it this way. I really want to know more. But do I not hear Mum calling for supper? So, good bye book, until later."

Ben had completely forgotten to ask his Mum for help. After the meal, he rushed back to his room. He enjoyed the story that unfolded before him. He even did not touch the TV. Reading suddenly became the better of the two.

The door opened, and Mum looked in. "Here you are Ben. What are you reading? Do you want to tell me about it?"

"Not now, Mum. I want to finish this story before I go to bed. Tomorrow I will tell you, if you don't mind."

"Well, good night then, son. See you tomorrow morning." Mum went out, but soon came back in again. She had brought a nice cup of hot chocolate. Ben thanked her and kissed her good night. Gosh, I haven't done that since I was little," Ben thought. "I wonder what made me do that?" His Mum also touched her cheek. She could not quite believe it.

Even when he tried to sleep, Ben was thinking of the story. He wanted to know what was happening next. So again, he switched on the light and went on reading. He finished the story and fell asleep happily. A little later, Mum tiptoed in and switched off the light. Her son had a cheerful smile on his face. When he woke up, Ben was thinking about what was making him so happy.

Down at the breakfast table, Ben said, "Mum I was reading a great story last night. I shall go to the library and get another book out today."

When he had finished his breakfast, he rushed off. "I must tell Tom about it," he thought. Ben therefore made a detour to No 5 Calder Street. Tom was not ready yet, and he looked very sleepy. He took a piece of bread in his hand and walked along with Ben. After looking at Tom, Ben decided to keep quiet.

The first lesson was English, and Mr Brown looked over his glasses. He was watching the class. He also noticed Ben's eagerness to take his book out. He went quietly over to him; and he saw that Ben was reading. He was reading quite steadily and soon turned over the page. He did no longer have to moan and groan and pause. Mr Brown noticed it, but did not want to disturb him. Later, in the break, he smiled at Ben.

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Chapter 12 - Man in Park is chased by Dogs and arrested

Tom had also taken his new rucksack. They were almost running towards the park. Both boys were eagerly talking when they reached the gates. But what was that? Why weren't they waiting? The boys could see the girls running inside the park.

"'tis probably Meg, they're trying to catch. Freddie, do you want to run and catch up with them?" asked Ben.

Freddie was only too happy to be released and to run.

The two boys had quite a job to catch up with the party. Not only were they far ahead. They also were running quite fast.

They could see now that Meg was chasing a man. He was holding a young child by the hand. It seemed that the man was frightened of the dog. He was looking around all the time. When Meg had caught up with this unlikely couple, the man ran off. The child was left standing by the wayside panting heavily. She was crying quietly. And tears were running down her cheeks.

"What happened?" asked Carrie getting down on her knees. Then she was putting her arm around the child. She tried to make her feel at ease.

Still sobbing, the child said: "I was playing in front of our house. The man came and gave me chocolates. He said he had many more. He said, 'You can have loads if you come with me'."

"I like chocolates," said the little girl wiping her cheeks with her sleeve. "Then the dog chased us. The man was running. He held me so tight by the hand. So I had to run with him."

"Meg is my dog," said Carrie. "She is a very good dog.

She knew that the man was very bad. That's why she chased him. He would not just have given you chocolates. He wanted to hurt you. But now you are safe. My name is Carrie, by the way."

The boys had followed the dogs. Both Meg and Freddie had cornered the man. They jumped at him. He fell over and was forced to lie on the ground. Both dogs pinned him down. They were sitting on top of him. The man was very frightened of the growling dogs.

Fortunately Lindsey had her mobile phone with her. She rang the police. They came quickly and took the man away. He was handcuffed and put in the back of the police car. A police woman came to where Carry was sitting with the sobbing child. The woman was very friendly.

She bent down to the child and asked: "We are here to help you. What is your name?"

"Emma" sobbed the little girl.

"Can you tell me where your house is? We will take you home to your Mummy. You would like this, wouldn't you Emma?"

She took little Emma by the hand. Then the police woman turned to Carry and the rest of the youngsters. She thanked them for being so vigilant. You and your dogs were great. With your help, we caught a dangerous criminal. When the four were alone with their dogs, Ben asked, "What did she mean with us being 'vigilant'?"

Carrie said, "I think it means 'alert' or 'on the ball'."

"Yes, I thought it meant something good," said Tom.

"She was praising us in other words."

After all this excitement over, the four and their dogs started walking. They walked in silence. Each one was thinking of what had just happened.

Then, Carrie began: "Imagine, what would have happened without our Meg? I wonder what made her chase this chap. How could she have known?"

Ben replied, "I think a dog can literally smell a bad person. She is an amazing dog though. I nearly said 'person'" Then Tom said: "You know what? We could go out the next gate. I know that there is a pet shop. It is right round the corner."

"Oh, yes, I know, when you take the first street on the left," said Ben. "I've been there before."

"That's brilliant," Lindsey said: "We should get some treats for our two dogs. They are heroes. We have to reward them."

So, off they went. They found the shop easily. They bought something suitable for the dogs. Both were happy about the unexpected treats. And then they all went back into the park. Now, the six were enjoying themselves.

They were running and playing with the dogs. And sometimes they were chatting all at once.

Then Tom was heard saying: "This is very strange. It seems that every day we are in contact with criminals."

"Or the police," Ben added. "We haven't had a chance to tell you about our adventure yesterday. We saw a car chase. Two joy riders were chased by a police car. Then they crashed."

"Oh, my dad was speaking about this," said Lindsey. "He was reading his morning paper. Then he read out the car chase story. He also mentioned two boys. Oh yes, they helped saving two little girls' lives. - This wasn't you, was it?"

"Well, yes," said Tom shyly. "We went to the Shopping Centre to buy our rucksacks."

"Yes, I noticed that you had rucksacks on your back," said Carrie and laughed. "I wondered. Is it just the novelty? Or are you carrying something important inside?"

"Carrie don't interrupt," scolded Lindsey. "What happened?"

"Well we heard this screeching of tyres. And round and round the square these cars went. It was really frightening. The chaps in front were hitting the curb several times," said Ben. "I think they could not really drive."

"Yes, and then we saw these two little girls trying to cross the road," said Tom. "We were just in time to hold them back. They would have been run over by the cars."

"When my Dad read out the papers this morning," said Ben. "He mentioned that both the joy riders died in the accident. The name of one of them was Oswald Waffelmaker. He must be the brother of 'our' Kevin."

"They are really a bad lot, these Waffelmaker kids," said Carrie.

"We were glad to get home safely," added Tom. "Our parents had heard the noise of the crash. They were worried about us."

"Fortunately, we were all right. It all happened just a short distance ahead of us," said Ben. "We were probably saved by holding back the two little girls."

"They thought we were going to attack or rob them," said Tom laughing. "The mother came. She was happy that they were safe."

"And that was our exciting venture whilst buying just two rucksacks!"

"Then this chase today in the park!" said Lindsey. Who needs a television? Are you all still in the mood to make holiday plans now?"

"I think it would be better to do it this afternoon," said Ben. "I know there is not much time left. But I think that right now, we are too excited. I just hope they put him in prison."

"Yes, lock him up and throw the key away!" Carrie added. "It might be a good idea, if we were to meet here again at 2 o'clock. Does everybody agree?"

"So, 2 o'clock, at the gates it is! Bye for now," the boys said and parted.

Ben knew that his mum would be out. But Mrs Wotherspoon made the boys and Freddie welcome. She cooked them a tasty lunch.

"You are so quiet, you two?" she said. Are you still worried about yesterday's accident?"

"Oh no, Mum, there was another one. Yesterday's is almost forgotten," said Tom. "It was another great excitement at the park today."

Then the two boys told her about the chase in the park.

"Oh, this poor little thing. It could have had a tragic ending. The two dogs are really doing well. Dear old Freddie, you are a good boy."  "

He woke up from his nap and was wagging his tail.

"We bought them some treats from our pocket money," said Tom. They had really deserved it."

"Just imagine, how they knew?" Mrs Wotherspoon was heard saying.

"Now eat up, you two, you've had two exciting days. Shhh, did you hear that? They are speaking about this on TV. Here it is:"

'A man, who had killed several young children, has been arrested. This morning, in the park, four teenagers and their two dogs caught him. The dogs chased the man and pinned him to the ground; while the youngsters informed the police and looked after the little girl. The vigilance of this young team cannot be praised strongly enough,' the news reader said.

"I am really proud of you all," said Mrs Wotherspoon.

"Did you have enough to eat? Surely, this afternoon, you'll take a little rest?"

"No, Mum, we have arranged to meet the girls. We have to make our holiday plans. There is not much time left. It's next Monday, we are leaving!"

"Oh, yes, I see! Well, off you go. And leave the police and the criminals alone this time," said Mrs Wotherspoon cheerfully.

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Catalogue Information

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