The Case of the Missing Ruby and Other Stories by Walter Dean Myers

This is repeated throughout each story in a formula which emphasizes each crazy clue Smiffy discovers. It was the kind of a smile that Smiffy Blue smiled when he had found a clue. Smiffy has an effective tagline for beginning readers each time he discovers a clue:

These silly puns will have young readers giggling even as they groan (likewise for any adults!) Seymour Orless who owns the glasses store Penny Stampp at the Post Office Cheri Pye at the bakery and Chubby Checkin, the hotel clerk. He and Jeremy Joe must question suspects and witnesses alike: Dr. His cases lead Smiffy all over the city following obscure clues. In this volume of four stories Smiffy investigates the thefts of: a secret formula, a racehorse, the Mayor's yacht and a valuable ruby. Along with his assistant Jeremy Joe and his trusty dog, Dog, Smiffy is often called in by Inspector Hector of Doober City for solve their current crisis. Smiffy Blue is a goofy mixture of Sam Spade, Batman and Sherlock Holmes. Some young readers will remember that Walter Dean Myers is the poet who inspired the young boy in Sharon Creech's phenomenal Love That Dog. Walter Dean Myers is perhaps better known to older readers for his poetry and works of young adult fiction. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.

He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. He published over seventy books for children and young adults.

Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.Īfter serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He was brought up and went to public school there. Walter Dean Myers was born on Augin Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three.

The Case of the Missing Ruby and Other Stories by Walter Dean Myers