Nate the Great and the Wandering Word by Marjorie Wienman Sharmat and Andrew Sharmat, illustrated by Jody Wheeler

Nate's friend Esmeralda wrote down the perfect name for the pet singing concert that Rosamond, another of their friends, is planning, but then Esmeralda lost the paper on which the word was written. Is the paper still at Rosamond's house? Did it go home with another of their friends, or one of their pets? Nate the Great is on the case!

This Nate the Great book straddles the line between beginning reader book and early chapter book. The text is longer and more complex than many beginning readers, but still uses simple vocabulary and straightforward syntax. The story is broken up into eight chapters, with full-color illustrations on every page spread. Potentially unfamiliar words (especially characters names) are repeated multiple times. There is one instance when Nate writes a note to his mother in slightly smudgy cursive, but if a reader can't make out the handwriting, they are not missing any information integral to the plot -- and if they can make it out, it is good practice for reading cursive writing. 

As for appeal to child readers, this book is part of a long-running series that certainly already has its fans. While the Geisel committee can't consider this book in relationship to other books in the series, I think it's fair to say in the context of this blog that this particular book is not likely to win over readers unfamiliar with Nate the Great's other exploits. The writing is solid, but not particularly exciting. The characters are not especially memorable, though they have a variety of interesting pets that young readers may enjoy hearing about.

Perhaps that sounds like an unfairly negative review. The truth is, young readers need books like this: ones that move beyond the bare basics, that challenge them while still being attainable. And long-running series help build confidence. This will be a useful book for many, many beginning readers – but does it stand out? Will it win awards? I'm guessing that it will not, but really, that's a mystery that only the current Geisel committee can solve.