Sleepyside has an antique weather vane atop City Hall that Trixie's mother has always called "Hoppy". Saying hello to Hoppy is supposed to bring you good luck, so Trixie and the other girls always make sure to pay their regards when they're nearby. On the morning after a terrible storm, Hoppy is gone! A reward is offered for Hoppy's safe return. If that wasn't bad enough, a valuable coin collection on loan to the school has been stolen. Trixie is convinced the two are related. ( )

A childhood favorite re-visited.

Is the story as good as I remember? – Yes

What ages would I recommend it too? – Ten and up.

Length? – Most of a day’s read.

Characters? – Memorable, several characters.

Setting? – Real world, pre - computer and pre - cell phone.

Written approximately? – 1977.

Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.

Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes. A slight mention of the time frame of the story - as the teens are given far more freedom to come and go as they please than would be safe today. Also, the absence of computers, cell phones.

Short storyline: Trixie and Honey are stumped when their favorite grasshopper weathervane disappears. Bobby unexpectedly helps them find the clues, through the usual false leads and suspecting strangers they don't know as accomplishes.


Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence (only referred to from the past), no murder. ( )

Oh these Trixie Belden books are terrible, aren't they? Poorly written and Trixie is a very annoying individual.

But I had this whole set when I was 12. I wanted to live in the country and ride horses every day and have a best friend who was rich and belong to a special club. Didn't every 12 year old? ( )