Welcome to ALADDIN QUIX!

  If you are looking for fast, fun-to-read stories with colorful characters, lots of kid-friendly humor, easy-to-follow action, entertaining story lines, and lively illustrations, then ALADDIN QUIX is for you!

  But wait, there’s more!

  If you’re also looking for stories with tables of contents; word lists; about-the-book questions; 64, 80, or 96 pages; short chapters; short paragraphs; and large fonts, then ALADDIN QUIX is definitely for you!

  ALADDIN QUIX: The next step between ready to reads and longer, more challenging chapter books, for readers five to eight years old.

  For Paul V.

  Cast of Characters

  Mack Rhino, Private Eye: a detective

  Redd Oxpeck: Mack’s trusted assistant

  Mr. Penn: Principal Crane’s assistant

  Principal Crane: principal at Coral Cove Elementary School

  Surfer Joe: a surf instructor; a Career Day guest

  Lifeguard Sally: a lifeguard; a Career Day guest

  Bella: a bike mechanic; a Career Day guest

  Axel: Bella’s child; a student at Coral Cove Elementary School

  Daisy: a florist; a Career Day guest

  Rose: Daisy’s child; a student at Coral Cove Elementary School

  Coach Jim: a PE teacher at Coral Cove Elementary School

  T. J.: Terry Berry’s child; a student at Coral Cove Elementary School

  Terry Berry: owner of the Smoothie Shack; a Career Day guest

  Guest of Honor

  Snug in his office at Number 21 Beach Street, Mack Rhino, Private Eye, rolled up the blinds and rolled up his sleeves.

  For cases big or small, Mack Rhino, Private Eye, was your guy.

  Or… rhino.

  As he did each morning, Mack poured himself a mug of chocolate milk. He took out his notebook. He reviewed his list.

  Tie √

  Magnifying glass √

  Class picture?

  Now, where was that class picture?

  Mack lifted a big box onto his desk. The box was filled with childhood photographs.

  He picked up a photo. It showed a baby Mack Rhino taking his first steps. Mack smiled.

  He picked up another photo. It showed a young Mack Rhino blowing out candles at his fifth birthday party. Mack smiled again.

  Just then, his trusted assistant, Redd Oxpeck, flew in.

  “Good morning, Boss,” said Redd. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Not quite yet, Redd. I’m still looking for our class picture,” said Mack. “I wanted to share it with the students today.”

  Mack Rhino was this year’s Guest of Honor at Coral Cove Elementary School’s Career Day.

  The invitation from Mack and Redd’s old elementary school arrived soon after they had solved their 102nd case.

  Case #102—The Unfair Fair Case—had plenty of ups and downs. It was quite a ride!

  Good thing Mack and Redd enjoyed a little clowning around. They managed to solve the case and make some balloon animals, all at the same time.

  Mack reached into the box of photos. “The class picture must be here somewhere,” he said.

  “I can lend you a hand… or wing,” said Redd.

  But even with Redd’s help, Mack could not find the class picture.

  “It’s probably lost,” said Mack.

  “You could be right,” said Redd. “And we don’t want to be late for school.”

  Mack nodded and tucked his notebook into his pocket. He picked up his magnifying glass. He straightened his tie.

  “Are you ready for a walk down memory lane?” he asked.

  Redd grabbed his camera. “I thought we were walking down Beach Street.” He giggled.

  Lost!

  Mack and Redd hurried out the door.

  They passed Bella’s Bikes and Bells. They passed Daisy’s Blossom Barn. They passed Terry Berry’s Smoothie Shack.

  In no time at all, they reached Coral Cove Elementary School. A colorful banner decorated the front entrance.

  Welcome, Career Day Guests!

  Mack and Redd’s first stop was the main office. A busy bear sat behind a large desk.

  “Good morning,” said Mack. “I’m Mack Rhino, Private Eye. And this is my trusted assistant, Redd Oxpeck.”

  “Nice to meet you,” said the bear. “I’m Mr. Penn, Principal Crane’s new assistant.”

  “Sorry we’re late,” said Mack. “I was trying to find our old class picture.”

  “No worries,” said Mr. Penn. “The other Career Day guests just got here. Principal Crane is in the auditorium. She’s testing the sound system.”

  “Sound system?” asked Mack.

  “For your Guest-of-Honor speech,” said Mr. Penn.

  “Speech?” asked Mack.

  “Only a few words,” said Mr. Penn. “The students are very excited for the Q&A.”

  “Q&A?” asked Mack.

  “Questions and answers, Boss,” Redd whispered.

  “I’ll try my best,” said Mack.

  Mack and Redd started down the hallway. Not much had changed since their student days. They heard music coming from the band room. They heard balls bouncing in the gym.

  They soon reached the lobby outside the auditorium. The other Career Day guests were busy organizing their display tables. Mack spotted the usual faces—Surfer Joe, Lifeguard Sally, and many other friends from around Coral Cove.

  “Mack Rhino and Redd Oxpeck!” called a voice.

  It was Ms. Crane, Mack and Redd’s favorite teacher. Now she was Principal Crane.

  “The sound system is all ready for your speech,” she said excitedly.

  “My speech is now?” asked Mack.

  “Not quite yet,” she said. “First, the students will mingle with the Career Day guests. Then we’ll move into the auditorium for your speech.”

  Mack gulped.

  “He’s a little nervous,” said Redd.

  “You’ll be great,” said Principal Crane. “And afterward, we’ll all head to the cafeteria for a special snack.”

  “Yum!” said Redd. “Snack was always my favorite part of the school day.”

  But before Mack and Redd could start setting up their display, Mr. Penn came rushing up to them.

  “We have a problem!” he said.

  “What is it?” asked Principal Crane.

  “The lost and found,” said Mr. Penn. “It’s… lost!”

  “Lost?” squawked Redd.

  “Everything has disappeared,” said Mr. Penn.

  “Is that so?” said Mack. “This could be the start of Case #103!”

  Spot Check

  “Thank goodness we have Mack Rhino, Private Eye, here today,” said Principal Crane.

  Mack took out his magnifying glass.

  “I’m happy to help,” said Mack.

  They all followed Mr. Penn. He stopped outside the office door.

  A sign on the wall read: LOST AND FOUND.

  “The box was right here,” said Mr. Penn. He pointed to the empty spot.

  “Do you remember what was in the box?” asked Mack.

  “Let me think,” said Mr. Penn. “There was a winter boot, a roller skate, a bike helmet, a sun hat, and one polka-dotted sock.”

  “Interesting,” said Mack. He took out his notebook. He jotted down the list of items.

  Boot

  Skate

  Helmet

  Hat

  Sock

  Next, Mack took out his magnifying glass. He inspected the area.

  On the floor, he noticed something small, round, and… blue? He picked it up.

  “What is it?” asked Principal Crane.

  “It appears to be a blueberry,” said Mack.

  “Sweet!” said Redd. “Our first clue!”

  Mack turned to Mr. Penn. “When did you last see the lost and found?” he asked.

  “It was just before eight-thirty this morning,” said Mr. Penn. “After that, Principal Crane and I were busy greeting the Career Day guests.”

  “Do you happen to have a guest list?” asked Mack.

  “Right here,” said Principal Crane. She handed Mack a piece of paper.

  NAME

  CAREER

  Bella

  Bike Mechanic

  Daisy

  Florist

  Joe

  Surf Instructor

  Sally

  Lifeguard

  Mack Rhino

  Private Eye

  Redd Oxpeck

  Trusted Assistant

  “This could be useful,” said Mack. “Can I hold on to it?”

  “Of course,” said Principal Crane.

  “We have a copy in our files,” added Mr. Penn.

  Mack tucked the guest list into his notebook. Then he jotted down a few questions.

  How did the lost and found disappear?

  Why is there a blueberry on the floor?

  “Where to now, Boss?” asked Redd.

  “Back to the auditorium,” said Mack. “We need to interview the Career Day guests.”

  Digging for Clues

  Career Day was in full swing. The students moved from table to table. They perused the displays. They chatted with the guests.

  “Who’s first, Boss?” asked Redd.

  Mack took out the list. He pointed to the first name.

  Bella

  Bike Mechanic

  Mack and Redd stepped up to Bella’s table. It was loaded with gears and seats, pedals and tools.

  “Hi, Bella,” said Mack.

  “Hi, Mack. Hi, Redd,” said Bella. “I’m looking forward to the big speech today.”

  “So is Mack.” Redd giggled.

  “My son, Axel, is excited too,” said Bella. “That’s my little sprocket over there.” She pointed to a student at one of the other display tables.

  “Do you mind if we ask you a question?” said Mack.

  “Sure thing!” said Bella. “That’s why I’m here today.”

  “Where were you at eight-thirty this morning?” asked Mack.

  “Oh, I thought you meant a question about bikes,” said Bella.

  “You could say we’re gearing up for a new case,” said Redd.

  “Let’s see,” said Bella. “I signed in with Mr. Penn at the main office. I dropped Axel off at his classroom. Then I came here to set up my display.”

  “It looks great,” said Redd. “Can I take some pictures?”

  “Be my guest,” said Bella.

  Click! Click! Click!

  “Thanks for your help,” said Mack.

  He looked at the next name on the list.

  Daisy

  Florist

  “Let’s speak with Daisy,” said Mack.

  “We’re going from pedals to petals!” chirped Redd with a smile.

  Daisy’s display table held gardening tools and plants in small clay pots.

  “Good morning, Daisy,” said Mack.

  “Hi, Mack,” said Daisy. “My daughter, Rose, is looking forward to your speech. She has a lot of questions for you.”

  “Do you mind if we ask you a question first?” said Mack.

  “Sure,” said Daisy. “That’s why I’m here today.”

  “Where were you at eight-thirty this morning?” asked Mack.

  “Why do you ask?” said Daisy.

  “We’re on a new case,” explained Redd. He picked up a small garden trowel. “You could say we’re digging for clues.”

  “Well,” said Daisy. “I checked in at the main office. I brought Rose to her classroom. Then I came here.”

  “Just like Bella,” said Mack. He jotted this down in his notebook.

  “Can I snap some photos of your display?” asked Redd.

  “Sure thing!” said Daisy.

  Click! Click! Click!

  “Thanks for your help,” said Mack.

  He scanned the lobby. More and more students were arriving for Career Day.

  Then Mack noticed somebody leaving Career Day. Balanced in their arms was a large box. And dangling out of the box was…

  A single polka-dotted sock!

  A Mystery Afoot

  “Follow me, Redd!” said Mack. He started for the hallway.

  “But what about the other interviews?” asked Redd.

  “Change of plans,” said Mack. “I just spotted a polka-dotted sock and it’s making a getaway!”

  Mack and Redd quickly walked through the crowded lobby. Then they rounded the corner and took off running.

  “Walk in the halls, please!”

  Mack and Redd stopped in their tracks. They would know that voice anywhere.

  It was Coach Jim, their old PE teacher.

  “If it isn’t Mack Rhino and Redd Oxpeck,” said Coach Jim. “Still dashing from here to there, I see.”

  “Sorry, Coach,” said Mack.

  “We’re tackling a new case,” explained Redd.

  “Well, take it slow,” said Coach Jim.

  Mack and Redd walked down the hallway. But the mysterious figure with the box and the sock had disappeared.

  “Drat,” said Mack. “We lost them.”

  “Wait. What’s that on the floor?” said Redd.

  Mack bent down and took out his magnifying glass.

  “Another blueberry?” he said.

  “Here’s one more!” said Redd. “And another!”

  “They lead to the library,” said Mack. “We’d better take a look inside.”

  Mack and Redd carefully tiptoed into the library.

  The shelves held books of all colors, shapes, and sizes. In the reading corner, Mack and Redd saw their favorite old beanbag chairs.

  One jumbo. One mini.

  “It sure is quiet in here,” whispered Mack.

  “It is the library,” said Redd. “Besides, everyone is at Career Day.”

  “Let’s look for clues,” said Mack.

  “You got it, Boss,” said Redd. “I’ll get the bird’s-eye view.”

  Redd fluttered above the bookshelves.

  “Do you see anything unusual?” asked Mack.

  “Only a banana on the book bin,” said Redd.

  “A banana?” said Mack. “What’s a banana doing on the book bin?”

  “I guess it’s overdue.” Redd giggled.

  Mack took out his notebook. He jotted down a few more questions.

  Why is there a banana on the book bin?

  Where is the sock?

  Where is the box?

  “Something about this case just doesn’t add up,” said Mack.

  “Maybe we need to go back to math class,” said Redd.

  “You might be right,” said Mack. “Let’s—”

  Suddenly, there was a loud noise.

  It revved.

  It stopped.

  It revved again.

  “What is that?” asked Redd.

  “Only one way to find out,” said Mack. “Follow me!”

  But before they could take one step…

  Ding-dong-ding.

  There was an announcement over the school loudspeaker.

  “Mack Rhino and Redd Oxpeck, please report to the main office. Immediately!”

  Found?

  Principal Crane and Mr. Penn were waiting for them outside the office. A large cardboard box sat below the LOST AND FOUND sign.

  “The box is back!” said Mr. Penn.

  “The lost and found is… found?” asked Redd.

  “Not quite,” said Principal Crane. “The box is empty.”

  “Is that so?” said Mack. He took out his magnifying glass. He inspected the box.

  Redd snapped a few photos.

  Click! Click! Click!

  “I don’t see anything unusual, Boss,” said Redd.

  “Me either,” said Mack. “But I do smell something.”

  Mack sniffed the air. The smell was familiar and… delicious.

  He took out his notebook. He jotted down a few more questions.

  What is that familiar smell?

  Who brought back the box?

  Why is it empty?

  “I’m afraid we’ll have to pick this up later,” said Principal Crane, looking at her watch. “It’s time for Mack’s speech.”

  Mack felt butterflies in his stomach. “Just a few words, right?” he asked.

  Principal Crane nodded.

  “You’ll be a smash hit, Boss!” chirped Redd.

  They all hurried back to Career Day.

  The lobby was now empty, but inside the auditorium, every seat was taken. The audience buzzed with excitement.

  Principal Crane stepped up to the microphone.

  “Good morning!” she said. “I’d like to thank all our Career Day guests for joining us today. And now, please welcome our Guest of Honor—Mack Rhino, Private Eye.”

  Mack straightened his tie. He stepped onto the stage.

  “Hello, I’m Mack Rhino,” he began shyly.

  The crowd burst into applause.

  “Gee, thanks,” said Mack. He smiled. “It sure is great to be back at Coral Cove Elementary School. I was once a student here, just like you. And this is where I met my best friend and trusted assistant, Redd Oxpeck.”

  “Ah, Boss,” said Redd. He fluttered to the stage and perched on Mack’s shoulder.

  “Redd and I have solved a lot of cases over the years,” Mack continued. “As private eyes, we collect clues and make observations. Then we put the pieces together.”

  One student excitedly raised a hand. It was Bella’s son, Axel. “Can I ask a question?” he said.

  “Of course,” said Mack. “That’s why we’re here today.”

 

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