This looked like a super cute book when I requested it from Librarything, I didn't realize that is was the fifth book in a series.

This middle grade series follows Cooper, Packrat, Roy, and Summer on wilderness adventures. In this installment there is a lost lynx cub.

Oftentimes in middle grade books, authors recap who the characters are and any info that might be helpful for young readers, or in my case, ones that pick the book up out of order. I felt that this book was missing that aspect and while I figured things out along the way, it made for a slow start for me and I wasn't immediately invested in these chacracters like other readers might have been. I didn't learn much about them until we were in the thick of the plot - that Cooper was an aspiring game warden and often takes on that persona on this campground that his family owns. His friends seemed pretty interchangable, but I gathered that Packrat was his right had and Roy probably has some anger issues. Summer and Cooper were also in the beginning 'I like you' stages so that was a cute addition.

The overall plot was fun, but slowly built. There is a poacher on the property and he is surprised by the winter campground opening. There is a little lynx that the kids are seeing around and they are concerned that the poacher is going to get her, so they are trying to find him with the help of the Warden.

I like how determined Cooper was to help and liked that Warden Kate fed into that, although I think that was also pretty dangerous. I also really liked that each chapter started with facts about Lynx. I didn''t really like how missing the parents felt, they were either non-existance or completely overbearing, this whole thing felt like they should be more around and questioning things.

Overall, this was a cute read like I thought it would be. I found it sow to start and a bit hard to get into, but think younger readers will enjoy the mystery and adventure that the kids have. There is a lot of action at the end. ( )

I received this book as part of the Early Reviewers Program. This book is full of really interesting glimpses into what it's like to live in a very wintery place, which was both cool to read about and a little hard to follow for a younger elementary aged kid.

I received this book as part of the Early Reviewers Program. It is the fifth book in the series Cooper and Packrat, with that being said, it didn’t take long to get a feel for the main characters and the relationships between them. Mystery of the Lost Lynx, by Tamra Wight, has a lot of twists and turns in the plot with a surprise ending. The kids see a small lynx with a collar one day while at the campground in winter that Cooper and his parents run. While trying to find it and help it, they find evidence of someone illegally trapping animals on the campground land. Then someone steals fish from the fishing tournament. Who is doing all of this? Can Wynter be trusted? You will have to read it to find out!

Mystery of the Lost Lynx clearly was lovingly put together: the back is filled with acknowledgements, and the hows and why they helped. As someone who’s childhood was filled with winter activities from ice fishing to dogsledding (once!) the activities the five kids do is this book is pretty nostalgic and maybe even somewhat wondrous to kids who did not grow up in such a climate (like my own). S

I think any kid who likes reading about other kids saving animals and solving mysteries will love this book, and likely, the earlier books in the series. I also really enjoyed the Lynx fact at the start of each new chapter. I learned quite a bit about lynx, just by the characters own knowledge that they used to save the young lynx. The drawings throughout the book by Carl DiRocco are also very cute!

Thanks to Islandport Press for the review copy through the LibraryThing giveaway program. Cooper and Packrat are back at it again, setting out to uncover the latest puzzle that crosses their path. The sleuthing team expands to five members in this fifth volume in the series. This enjoyable cast of characters has come to suspect that someone is poaching wildlife from the Maine wilderness and they set their eyes on identifying the culprit. Can they unravel the tangled threads in time to save the lynx kitten? Can they survive a long winter trek into the Maine wilderness? Pick up this tale to find out. This novel is a quick read and delightfully free from any overburdening ideology. Yes, it supports the care of wildlife and wilderness areas, but it is not preachy or dogmatic. There is humor and delight in the character's interactions and the story provides a scenic window into the wild areas of Maine. The novel works as a whodunit, a basic introduction to Maine geography, a delightful look at friendship and family, and an encouraging example of caring for wildlife. 4 stars. Enjoyable! ( )

Cooper, Packrat, Summer, and Roy are busy planning activities when the Maine camp opens for the winter. Meeting new campers, they are especially interested in the dogsledding team led by Wynter and her mother, Lisa. Wynter agrees to take campers on dogsledding rides.

But, danger and sinister activities are happening too! A little lost lynx kitten is spotted. The kids, Warden Kate, and Cooper’s mom determine that it was a ‘pet’ released back into the wild, now with no chance of survival. Tracking it has been difficult. Along the way, their suspicions are aroused when word is that illegal poaching is taking place.

The Mystery of the Lost Lynx is full of mystery, danger, and (surprisingly) tons of wildlife information. Kids will love guessing the culprit as Cooper and his pals come to the rescue and save the day (even though they get grounded in the process!).

Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Tamra Wight, and Islandport Press for this ARC. ( )