It's a Mystery...

Never have I ever met with such dramatics as I encountered this very afternoon when I picked up my students from lunch.

And what were they being dramatic about?

Why, their new mystery novel assignments, that's what!

(I'm sure the normal walk up our one-flight of stairs back to our classroom never seemed so long!)

But where was I? Oh yes, the mystery novels...

Now, hold it right there - considering they are mystery novels, you didn't expect the students to get off so easy as to simply get their assignments, did you? Really, where would the fun be in that?

Well, as in many a good mystery, it all started out with a clue:

What book will you read? It's a mystery...(But, let's just say, a clue is very close by.) Hmm...

Little did they know just how close the clue was...

Surprisingly, it did not take long for one student to decide to check under her seat and desk. There they were - taped to the bottom of their desks - success!

Found it!

 But wait - more clues?

5 Clues given to students for novel assignments

Time to figure out these puzzles - many clues dealt with the authors, characters, or general plot. Plays on words were a must (obviously - it's me we're talking about here!). Soon, the students had organized themselves into groups - with a few a little mixed up before getting sent to the correct book.

And, in no particular order, those books are

The Westing Game

Chasing Vermeer

The Mysterious Benedict Society

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler

Oh the unrivaled excitement, the thrilling suspense, the beautiful mystery of it all.

Seriously, should I be allowed to have this much fun at my job? (I'm such a kid!)