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Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers
Packed with high stakes mystery and tons of heart, this first installment in a new series introduces Kazu Jones-a spunky, scrappy detective who's this generation's Harriet the Spy.
When a string of dognappings grips her Denver neighborhood, Kazu Jones vows to track down the culprits. She can't stand to see more dogs go missing-especially once her neighbors' beloved pet is taken because of her gigantic mistake.
With the help of her gang-including her best friend and expert hacker, March; and her ginormous, socially anxious pup, Genki-Kazu uncovers evidence that suggests the dognapping ring is bigger than she ever imagined. But the more she digs, the more dangerous her investigation becomes. The dognappers are getting bolder, and Genki could be next.
When a string of dognappings grips her Denver neighborhood, Kazu Jones vows to track down the culprits. She can't stand to see more dogs go missing-especially once her neighbors' beloved pet is taken because of her gigantic mistake.
With the help of her gang-including her best friend and expert hacker, March; and her ginormous, socially anxious pup, Genki-Kazu uncovers evidence that suggests the dognapping ring is bigger than she ever imagined. But the more she digs, the more dangerous her investigation becomes. The dognappers are getting bolder, and Genki could be next.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2019
About the author
Shauna Holyoak
4 books39 followersShauna has been telling stories long before she could ride a bike, and some of them are even true! She writes for kids and teens and thinks it’s kinda the best job ever. Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers is her debut novel, and it will be released on April 23, 2019! She lives in Idaho Falls, ID with her husband, six of their seven children, and two naughty dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 14, 2018
What an amazing read! I read it with my 11 year old son and 9 year old daughter and we all loved it. It's fast paced, thoughtful, fun and insightful. My daughter absolutely loved the characters, especially Kazu. It's wonderful to read about kids who do things themselves, but the book strikes a nice balance between action and suspense without being scary. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves animals, adventure and plucky heroines (and heroes) who take initiative and go get them. If you (or your kids) like Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys (or even the old TV show Flipper!) this is the book for you! :-) PICK IT UP NOW!
April 9, 2020
This book is about a Japanese girl named Kazu, who loves to investigate, collect clues, and solve mysteries. In her neighborhood, several neighborhood dogs have disappeared, and she sets out along with her friend March, to figure out what's happening to all the neighborhood dogs. Eventually, they come to suspect a Mr. Crowley of being behind the dognappings. They even find a receipt and a dog tag in his trash of one of the dogs that had been missing. This kinda sets off a chain of events where they hack his computer, which eventually doesn't lead to very much.
As her own dog disappears, she decides to check in his garage, where she does find her dog. This is actually one part of the book I didn't completely understand. I mean, she's been trying to prove this guy was behind it for a couple weeks, now. Here she is, having caught him red-handed with her stolen dog, and he does let them go, but she doesn't call the police to tell on him. Even though, they had all the proof they needed. It may have been a way to keep the story going a little longer, but it seemed pointless to have this scene if it was going to basically waste 50 more pages going through a bunch of more stuff.
Overall, though, I enjoyed the book. It is kinda slow-paced. There isn't really a lot of action in it, but overall it was well-written, and I enjoyed the mystery, and I will give it four stars.
As her own dog disappears, she decides to check in his garage, where she does find her dog. This is actually one part of the book I didn't completely understand. I mean, she's been trying to prove this guy was behind it for a couple weeks, now. Here she is, having caught him red-handed with her stolen dog, and he does let them go, but she doesn't call the police to tell on him. Even though, they had all the proof they needed. It may have been a way to keep the story going a little longer, but it seemed pointless to have this scene if it was going to basically waste 50 more pages going through a bunch of more stuff.
Overall, though, I enjoyed the book. It is kinda slow-paced. There isn't really a lot of action in it, but overall it was well-written, and I enjoyed the mystery, and I will give it four stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2020
This was so good! It was engaging and suspenseful, and I loved all the characters. I had to take a break a few times to go play with my own dog.
January 29, 2019
I admit to being biased towards loving this book--for the fun name and the dog-centric storyline! But the story itself lived up to the name and the theme. Fun, delightful, and an easy way to engage a middle-grade reader. Thanks, Disney Books for sending an ARC my way for review!
April 15, 2019
The connection I have with this book brought back a lot of memories. 😭
May 13, 2019
I really liked it. While at times I thought it could maybe use a little more action, it really got my attention. I think it has a good balance between the mystery and the characters. Not only do they help solve a crime, but also learn and build friendships. It's a great read.
December 15, 2019
I loved the premise of a Japanese American young female detective hit the plot had so many horrible pieces to it. The characters built didn’t match the decisions they made and the last scene where they hid in garbage cans was completely ridiculous, making no dang sense. I’m almost mad I spent time on this book.
I hate to be too negative about the GR community but there’s no way everyone on here read the story through the end and rated it 5 stars. I guarantee you they got an ARC from NetGalley and read only a few chapters.
I hate to be too negative about the GR community but there’s no way everyone on here read the story through the end and rated it 5 stars. I guarantee you they got an ARC from NetGalley and read only a few chapters.
December 3, 2018
KAZU JONES AND THE DENVER DOGNAPPERS was a blast. A hit-the-ground-running caper that I don't doubt middle-grade readers will enjoy. When Kazu's on the case, she simply cannot be stopped. And with the Denver dognapper on the loose, Kazu's the perfect detective for the job. With well-realized characters and non-stop sleuthing, KAZU is a ton of fun.
April 24, 2019
This was definitely a five star read, I read about half of it out loud with my daughter, and we'll continue to read it but I had to steam on ahead to finish for the review. She's patiently waiting to find out just exactly was the Denver Dognapper! Truthfully Shauna gave us a great diverse cast of characters, not just in a beautiful blend of different backgrounds but each character stood on their own. Kazu Jones is our spunky fifth-grade detective with her dog Genki and her best friend March who is a meticulous academic and lover of technology to Madeleine Brown who Kazu has never gotten along with and Cindyrae who along with her love of musicals, loves her dog Lobster just as much. The kids have taken over, in a thread of The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew comes Kazuko Jones, written with an ease and a way that will entice children to pick it up and not put it down. Now there are actions that the children take, and much like Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys, it's not an action a parent would like their kids to make in real life, but this is written for a child's enjoyment and even I loved it Kazu makes some decisions and they may not be good ones but the author has Kazu grow during the book and her actions have consequences but you can't keep a natural detective down for long. There is something just really promising about Kazuko Jones and the adventures that could lay in store for her past the case of the Denver Dognappers. I would say that this is a series to keep an eye out for because I feel this and a couple of others I have spotted lately are really going to be at the forefront of pushing the mystery genre into the modern day for children.
Honestly, I could gush on and on about this but at the end of the day this was a new favorite for my daughter and I and we hope to read more about Kazuko, her group of friends, and her Sleuth Chronicle adventures.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review
Honestly, I could gush on and on about this but at the end of the day this was a new favorite for my daughter and I and we hope to read more about Kazuko, her group of friends, and her Sleuth Chronicle adventures.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review
May 7, 2019
A super cute and fun mystery from debut author Shauna Holyoak, Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers is book that evokes the Nancy Drew of old with a modern twist!
Kazu is a sleuth-in-training, keeping copious notes on the mysterious goings on in her suburban Denver neighborhood. With her best friend March, a hacker extraordinaire (for a fifth grader), she is always on the case! But when it comes to the string of dognappings plaguing the city, Kazu, and her group of friends, may be in over the heads!
The plot was a great mix of who-dun-nit mixed with serious talk about why dognappings would happen. With that piece of serious, the plot doesn't get too wacky, even with a group of fifth graders investigating the situation. Lessons on friendship, growing up, and family are intertwined with the mystery, making the book relatable even to readers who aren't big mystery lovers.
But while the plot is fast-paced and entertaining, what makes the book sing is Kazu herself. She is a strong, independent girl who has a real idea of what she loves. There's also a strong representation of her Japanese heritage (it doesn't just stop at her name), which is refreshing to see. Kazu may be precocious, but she sounds like an actual fifth grader, which is so nice. I felt Shauna really managed to craft a group of kids who sound and act like actual kids. Each character had their own personality, so while some were a little more static than others, they were all memorable. Kazu had a great crew to hunt for the culprit in this caper!
The plot sucks you in, but the characters keep you going, I would definitely recommend this as a fun spring read, perfect for by the pool or under the covers with a flashlight! Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers by Shauna Holyoak is out now, so don't hesitate to grab a copy!
Kazu is a sleuth-in-training, keeping copious notes on the mysterious goings on in her suburban Denver neighborhood. With her best friend March, a hacker extraordinaire (for a fifth grader), she is always on the case! But when it comes to the string of dognappings plaguing the city, Kazu, and her group of friends, may be in over the heads!
The plot was a great mix of who-dun-nit mixed with serious talk about why dognappings would happen. With that piece of serious, the plot doesn't get too wacky, even with a group of fifth graders investigating the situation. Lessons on friendship, growing up, and family are intertwined with the mystery, making the book relatable even to readers who aren't big mystery lovers.
But while the plot is fast-paced and entertaining, what makes the book sing is Kazu herself. She is a strong, independent girl who has a real idea of what she loves. There's also a strong representation of her Japanese heritage (it doesn't just stop at her name), which is refreshing to see. Kazu may be precocious, but she sounds like an actual fifth grader, which is so nice. I felt Shauna really managed to craft a group of kids who sound and act like actual kids. Each character had their own personality, so while some were a little more static than others, they were all memorable. Kazu had a great crew to hunt for the culprit in this caper!
The plot sucks you in, but the characters keep you going, I would definitely recommend this as a fun spring read, perfect for by the pool or under the covers with a flashlight! Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers by Shauna Holyoak is out now, so don't hesitate to grab a copy!
April 14, 2019
So, Kazu has a nose for sleuthing...and a penchant for jumping to conclusions. Well, all great detectives have to start SOMEWHERE, right? Right! This is how Kazu starts and while you might go into it thinking...okay, a few dogs will randomly disappear, she'll snoop a bit, find the pooches, and be the town hero...THINK AGAIN.
What starts off with a few fidos missing, turns into an all out hunt for the evilness that would dare take the neighborhood dogs from their loving owners. Thing is...it seems NO ONE is without suspicion, NO ONE is without some sort of shade thrown upon them...and NO ONE is as tenacious as Kazu (and friends!) when it comes to bringing them home.She's out for justice, she's out for the little people (fur babies included!), she'd out to get her "man" (so to speak) and return their little corner of the world into a safe haven once again. Can she do what the police have not? Guess we'll find out...but my money's on Kazu.
Seriously, this is ONE WILD RIDE! It was actually quite DARING, rather DANGER FILLED, and a fairly dubious mystery! I mean, I honestly didn't know if Kazu and company were going to make it out okay in the end. I was THAT much on edge. Oh, and a quick note to dog lover's...there's disappearing pooches, and four legged follies throughout, but don't worry, all good dogs have their day, and all baddies their just desserts! Recommended for older Middle Grade readers and beyond.
**ARC received for review; opinions are my own
What starts off with a few fidos missing, turns into an all out hunt for the evilness that would dare take the neighborhood dogs from their loving owners. Thing is...it seems NO ONE is without suspicion, NO ONE is without some sort of shade thrown upon them...and NO ONE is as tenacious as Kazu (and friends!) when it comes to bringing them home.She's out for justice, she's out for the little people (fur babies included!), she'd out to get her "man" (so to speak) and return their little corner of the world into a safe haven once again. Can she do what the police have not? Guess we'll find out...but my money's on Kazu.
Seriously, this is ONE WILD RIDE! It was actually quite DARING, rather DANGER FILLED, and a fairly dubious mystery! I mean, I honestly didn't know if Kazu and company were going to make it out okay in the end. I was THAT much on edge. Oh, and a quick note to dog lover's...there's disappearing pooches, and four legged follies throughout, but don't worry, all good dogs have their day, and all baddies their just desserts! Recommended for older Middle Grade readers and beyond.
**ARC received for review; opinions are my own
February 9, 2019
What I Liked
This is a very sweet book about a girl seeking the truth against all odds! Kazuko AKA Kazu begins the story with immediate action, and doesn't slow down until the very last page. The mystery of the dognappers is played out slowly so the reader has the chance to follow along and try their best to deduce alongside Kazu's deductions. Kazu is enterprising and hard-working, and even though she's nosy, she's easy to root for!
What I Would Have Liked to See
I thought most of Kazu's decisions were right on-point, but a couple of them left me wondering about her motivations. Clarification for those would have been nice! But those gaps in clarity weren't big enough to affect the story.
My Favorite!
March's siblings all having M names! It's a big family thing that reminded me of a lot of the friends I have who are somewhere in the line of 7 or 8 kids.
TL;DR
Super sleuth enlists the help of her techie best friend to figure out who's stealing the dogs in their neighborhood, and when her own dog falls victim to the dognappers, things get uncomfortably close to home.
This is a very sweet book about a girl seeking the truth against all odds! Kazuko AKA Kazu begins the story with immediate action, and doesn't slow down until the very last page. The mystery of the dognappers is played out slowly so the reader has the chance to follow along and try their best to deduce alongside Kazu's deductions. Kazu is enterprising and hard-working, and even though she's nosy, she's easy to root for!
What I Would Have Liked to See
I thought most of Kazu's decisions were right on-point, but a couple of them left me wondering about her motivations. Clarification for those would have been nice! But those gaps in clarity weren't big enough to affect the story.
My Favorite!
March's siblings all having M names! It's a big family thing that reminded me of a lot of the friends I have who are somewhere in the line of 7 or 8 kids.
TL;DR
Super sleuth enlists the help of her techie best friend to figure out who's stealing the dogs in their neighborhood, and when her own dog falls victim to the dognappers, things get uncomfortably close to home.
July 13, 2019
Such a great book! When Kazu Jones, detective extraordinaire, gets a lead on the Denver Dognappings case that is terrorizing her neighborhood, she can’t help but follow it. Especially when her rule-breaking is responsible for one of the missing jobs. A rag-tag team of detectives formed from kids whose flags were taken plus Kazu’s best friend follow the leads to figure out the mystery that is eluding the Denver police.
I loved the mystery and Kazu was a fun and interesting character. The combo of Kazu and March was especially nice. Two friends who are very different, but who complement each other perfectly. The story was a nice combo of kids trying to follow the rules, but who refuse to give up when the adults won’t believe them. There are consequences for the choices they make, and the parents are a big part of their life, working to keep their kids safe the best they know how.
The story will keep you turning pages as you hold your breath through the scary, and cheer when they find successes. A fun read that I definitely recommend!
I loved the mystery and Kazu was a fun and interesting character. The combo of Kazu and March was especially nice. Two friends who are very different, but who complement each other perfectly. The story was a nice combo of kids trying to follow the rules, but who refuse to give up when the adults won’t believe them. There are consequences for the choices they make, and the parents are a big part of their life, working to keep their kids safe the best they know how.
The story will keep you turning pages as you hold your breath through the scary, and cheer when they find successes. A fun read that I definitely recommend!
May 16, 2019
In this middle-grade series opener, eleven-year-old Japanese-American Kazuko, a spunky self-proclaimed detective who lives with her parents and dog, Genki, walks dogs, delivers newspapers, and does odd jobs for a neighbor in Denver, where dognapping is occurring. While walking the neighbor’s dog, Barkley, Kazu lets him off leash. Barkley runs away, and, when she can’t find him, she suspects he has been dognapped. Within the week, classmates CindeeRae and Madeleine have their dogs stolen, and her own beloved Genki disappears. Even after the police and her mother warn her away from crime-solving activities, Kazu, March (fellow detective and tech hacker), CindeeRae, and Madeleine band together to gather clues, crack codes, and decipher notes to solve the mystery of the missing dogs—and discover more than they bargained for. A hook at the end will draw readers into the next book in the series.
November 13, 2019
Japanese-American Kazu Jones is a student, a papergirl, a friend, a dogwalker, and a detective. Her parents have no problem with the first few items, but when dogs go missing in town and Kazu starts investigating, she breaks a few laws and puts herself and her friends in danger. Who is stealing the dogs? Where the dogs going? Things get tense when a dog she's walking disappears, and even tenser when her own dog becomes a victim. She's sure she knows who is involved. She even goes to the police with her clues, but to no avail. Unfortunately, she is not willing to leave things alone, and soon the criminals are on to her. This lengthy (306 p.) mystery suspense book has younger characters than Nancy Drew, but is filled with clues and action. Mystery fans should enjoy it, as well as the other book in the series.
August 7, 2020
I am always looking for mysteries for middle grade readers, and I loved the premise of this book. I’m just afraid that this is going to give kids bad ideas… Truly the main characters put themselves into heaps of danger and repeatedly ignore the police and their parents. Sneaking into dangerous peoples houses? In real life, these kids would’ve been killed. And I do think it was quite convenient that the cops were never called when she located her missing dog in the first place yet they were called all these other crazy times. It seemed like a reason to make the book keep going to me.
For a kid who won’t lay in bed at night freaked out, and for the kid who won’t get the idea to now go chasing after criminals in their own neighborhood, this would be a fun read. But I worry about our other students who might make their own detective agency and get themselves into a lot of real danger.
For a kid who won’t lay in bed at night freaked out, and for the kid who won’t get the idea to now go chasing after criminals in their own neighborhood, this would be a fun read. But I worry about our other students who might make their own detective agency and get themselves into a lot of real danger.
February 3, 2019
Just when you think you know what's next, there's another fun twist! I loved this book and I loved Kazu. She's smart, tough and tender all in one. And, despite moments of despair, she never gives up trying to reunite all the missing dogs with their worried families. I immediately liked Kazu and rooted for her from beginning to end. I also found myself cheering for her best friend March, her loyal and loveable dog Genki, and all the well-developed characters who made their way from Shauna Holyoak's imagination onto the pages of this book. I can't wait to read all about Kazu's next sleuthing adventure.
February 10, 2020
Entertaining read! Took me back to the days when I read the hardy boys. The mystery is fun keeps you guessing who the dognapper is. I enjoyed the characters and how they worked together to solve the mystery. There is an element of suspense, especially at the end, kept me at the edge of my seat. It makes me wonder how I would react if I had kids putting themselves in similar danger. This is a great story to read with the kids. I'm excited to read the next book Kazu Jones and the Comic Book Criminal.
Drugs- N/A
Violence- There is a part where a kid attacks an old lady with a plastic lightsaber.
Sex- N/A
Language- N/A
Drugs- N/A
Violence- There is a part where a kid attacks an old lady with a plastic lightsaber.
Sex- N/A
Language- N/A
December 28, 2018
This fantastic new sleuth is one of my new favorite characters; she is full of spunk, courage, and independence. This middle grades novel will capture kids and suck them into Kazu's sleuthing adventures with her friends. Well-paced, this book has plenty of edge-of-your-seat action sprinkled with real life conflicts like growing up, navigating relationships with friends and parents, and knowing when to come clean with the truth. All of the characters are delightfully quirky and real. Both my 10 year old daughter and I loved it!
April 14, 2019
I love stories where the MC is passionate about something—and Kazu Jones is passionate about sleuthing! So when the neighborhood dogs start going missing, of course she's on the case! Kazu is an energetic, spunky, sharp heroine. Along with her super-tidy, hacker best friend March and two new friends, Kazu follows the clues that lead her to the dognappers, and readers will be flipping pages as fast as they can to keep up with her adventures. I especially enjoyed the plot twists and Kazu's relationship with her parents and her puppy, Genki.
February 17, 2020
Definitely is a mysterious book. Everything starts to piece it's self together. I would probably read this book over and over. Author did a great job writing this book and I can't wait to read some of her other books. I hope others enjoy this book if they read it too.
Kazu Jones personality was great for the books and her friends that helped her we're very helpful and all had different talents to help solve there goals. Hope that the author can make some other really good characters for her other books she'll write.
Kazu Jones personality was great for the books and her friends that helped her we're very helpful and all had different talents to help solve there goals. Hope that the author can make some other really good characters for her other books she'll write.
December 29, 2018
I really wanted to like this mystery, but I found myself getting more and more frustrated with Kazu and her poor choices. And while the lack of graphic violence makes this very appropriate for an elementary grade mystery, I felt like the fear of the dog-napping villains became overwrought. Still, this is an adequate option for students in grades 3-5 who devour mysteries. Review based on an ARC received through NetGalley.
July 17, 2019
A fast-paced mystery filled with twists and turns and four-legged friends in need! I absolutely loved Kazu. She's tough, smart, and determined. Her friends are delightfully quirky, but realistic and relatable--and at times the book takes a tender turn that makes you love it all the more. Kids and adults alike will have a wonderful time figuring out the mystery and sleuthing alongside a memorable cast!
November 4, 2018
Middle graders are sure to love this book - and, no doubt, stay up WAY past their bedtimes to devour it. It's filled with gutsy, resourceful characters; unexpected friendships; vivid backdrops, like abandoned amusement parks; and clever, fun spy stuff like lock-picking and deciphering codes. What's not to love? Oh - and, did I mention, lots of dogs?
December 7, 2018
This fast-paced MG mystery had me on the edge of my seat! With dogs disappearing all over town, canine-loving Kazu is on the job. Using her carefully honed detective skills, and making friends along the way, Kazu stops at nothing to bring the dognappers to justice. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs, mysteries, or plucky MG heroines.
December 23, 2018
Kazu is the new Nancy Drew. I love a good mystery and Kazu Jones did not disappoint. Her sleuthing skills are unstoppable. With a great mix of determination and loyalty, Kazu and her friends will stop at nothing to uncover the dog napping ring in their neighborhood. A great read for anyone who love MG and a good detective. The only thing I wanted was more! Can’t wait for her next adventure!
April 8, 2019
Kazu is a lovable character with a passion for sleuthing. The book is a page-turning adventure that keeps you guessing. There's a lot to love--the mystery, the relationships, the twists and turns--but my very favorite thing about this book is Kazu's relationship with her puppy, which read authentic, as did her connection to her parents and friends. A great read.
June 8, 2019
My daughter and I both loved this book. There is something magical about being a detective and solving a mystery. I loved going with Kazu Jones on this adventure finding clues like receipts or drawing on a notepad to figure out the last message that was written. It was a delight to read and I can't wait to read the next book!
April 14, 2019
I love the idea of a modern day Nancy Drew! My imagination worked just like Kazu’s and I can’t wait to introduce her to my students! This is a perfect addition to middle grade classrooms; especially for students who love adventure and suspense!
July 13, 2019
A fast-paced and nostalgia-inducing mystery with tons of heart and a wonderfully plucky MC. I could totally see Kazuko in her own Saturday morning cartoon, solving a new case every week. Already looking forward to the next installment in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews