The video game bandit / by Franklin W. Dixon ; illustrated by Matt David.
"Frank and Joe are on a mission to track down a thief in the first book in an all-new, interactive Hardy Boys chapter book mystery series. Includes space for readers to jot down their own ideas and solutions to the case! Bayport Elementary is throwing a fundraiser so they can go on an end-of-the-year trip. Ellie Freeman's parents have volunteered their house for the event, and neighbors have donated all sorts of prizes to be raffled off including movie tickets and gift certificates to Fun World. But the best prize of all is a brand-new ZCross50000, a video game system that every kid has been drooling over. But sometime during the event, the ZCross goes missing. Can Frank and Jo figure out who took the prize before it's too late to save the big school trip?"-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781481450539
- ISBN: 1481450530
- ISBN: 9781481450522
- ISBN: 1481450522
- ISBN: 9781518171468
- Physical Description: 74 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm.
- Edition: Aladdin hardcover edition.
- Publisher: New York, NY : Aladdin, [2016]
- Copyright: ©2016
Content descriptions
General Note: | Includes an excerpt of the Hardy Boys clue book #2, The missing playbook. |
Target Audience Note: | 620L Lexile. Decoding demand: 82 (very high) Semantic demand: 96 (very high) Syntactic demand: 87 (very high) Structure demand: 88 (very high) Lexile. Ages 6 to 9. |
Study Program Information Note: | Accelerated Reader AR LG 4.3 0.5 181784. |
Search for related items by subject
Genre: | Detective and mystery fiction. Detective and mystery fiction. Fiction. Juvenile works. |
Search for related items by series
Available copies
- 15 of 19 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 19 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brownstown PL - Brownstown | JCM DIXON HARDY CLUE b.1 (Text) | 79361000125757 | Juvenile Chapter Mystery | Available | - |
Butler PL - Butler | (GREEN) J RC DIXON Boys 1 (Text) | 73174005035168 | Childrens: Color Dot Reading Levels | Checked out | 04/15/2024 |
Clinton PL - Clinton | J DIX (CLUE #1) (Text) | 36806004213870 | JUNIORS | Checked out | 04/12/2024 |
Eckhart PL - Main | JF DIX hbcb bk.1 (Text) | 840191002250260 | Children's Fiction - Lower Level | Mending | - |
Greenwood PL - Greenwood | KIDS JR FICTION Hardy Boys Clue Book #1 (Text) | 36626103745527 | 1st Floor Kids Green Zone | Available | - |
Hartford City PL - Hartford City | JR DIX (Text) | 76051000174166 | Juvenile Beginner Chapter Book | Available | - |
Hussey-Mayfield Mem. PL - Zionsville | BEGINNING j FIC DIXON (Text) | 33946003872269 | Juvenile Beginning Fiction | Available | - |
Jefferson Co PL - Hanover Branch | JUV FICTION DIXO (Text) | 39391100279239 | Juvenile Fiction | Available | - |
LaGrange Co PL - LaGrange Main Library | ju DIX (Text) | 30477101540700 | Children: Chapter Book | Available | - |
Linden Carnegie PL - Linden | J FIC DIX #1 (Text) | 34239004432625 | Children's Library, Lower Level | Available | - |
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The Video Game Bandit
âThis way, over here!â Frank Hardy called out. He waved his arms back and forth, signaling his younger brother, Joe. Joe walked across the backyard with a stack of folding chairs. They were kind of heavy, and his face was beet red after carrying them over to Frank and their friend Ellie Freeman.
Frank and Joeâs baseball team, the Bayport Bandits, was having a big fund-raiser. They were hoping to go to Florida on a team trip and play a few friendly games with other teams. In between games the team would be at the beach, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and learning how to surf.
Ellieâs parents had volunteered to host the fund-raiser at their house. They had a big backyard, where they would auction off prizes in honor of the Bayport baseball team. People from all over town had donated things for the auctionâa meal at Chez Jean, the fanciest French restaurant in Bayport, sailing lessons, art classes, and a shopping spree at Blairâs Boutique, a cute new store in town.
âWhat do you need next?â Joe asked Ellie. He dropped the metal chairs on the ground with a clatter.
âI think we need to get the tablecloths from my mom,â Ellie said. She was busy unfolding another stack of chairs and setting them up in a straight line. The stage in the backyard was already assembled, and now they were figuring out where the guests would sit during the auction. A big van from Forks and Knives was parked near the side door of Ellieâs house, and the workers were busy shuttling delicious-looking food from the van into the house. âThis party is going to be the best in Bayport history,â Frank said, looking at the decorations theyâd just hung up. There were lights and streamers strung across the yard. âDo you think weâll raise enough to go to Florida?â
âYou bet.â Ellie grinned. âThe tickets alone will give our fund a huge boost. Then we have the prizes that will be auctioned off and the fashion showâall the boutiques donated clothing just to be part of it.â
âSounds like weâll be in Florida in no time,â Joe laughed. He unfolded a chair and set it down next to one of Ellieâs.
With twenty-five kids on the team, it would be expensive to fly everyone down and have them stay at a hotel. Theyâd already had a bake sale and a car wash. With this huge event, everyone was hoping they would raise all the money they needed to bring every member of the team to Florida for freeâor at least to pay for everyoneâs plane ticket.
As Frank and Joe helped Ellie set up the rest of the chairs, Mrs. Freeman came out, followed by Phil Cohen, a friend from school. He was carrying a small speaker that he put down by the side of the stage. âYou guys remember my friend Biff, right?â Phil asked. He pointed over his shoulder.
A tall blond boy came out of the house with the other speaker. He was wearing a blue T-shirt with the word TIGERS written across it in orange script. Right behind him was a basset hound puppy with long, floppy ears, who scampered down the stairs, tail wagging.
âHey, guys!â Biff called. âLong time no see!â
Before Frank or Joe could even respond, the puppy jumped up on them. Frank crouched down as the puppy covered his face with wet kisses.
Biff ran over, grabbing the back of the puppyâs collar. âCome on, Sherlock! Down!â he commanded. âSorry, heâs still learning,â Biff apologized.
âThatâs okay,â Frank said, rubbing the puppyâs head. âHeâs great.â
âSherlock?â Ellie asked, kneeling beside them. She kissed the puppy on the nose. âThatâs so cute.â
Phil looked at his friend. âBiff and Sherlock are staying with me for the weekend while Biffâs parents are away. Heâs helping me set up the music for the fund-raiser this afternoon,â he said. âI figured we could use an extra hand.â
âIsnât that nice of him?â Mrs. Freeman said as she darted past. She put a stack of tablecloths on one of the tables. âItâs true, we could use all the help we can get.â
âI just hope this guy doesnât cause too much trouble,â Biff said, rubbing Sherlockâs head. He looked down at the dog. âYouâre going to be a good boy, arenât you, Sherlock? Arenât you?â
âLetâs hope!â Mrs. Freeman said.
Sherlock sprinted across the lawn, his ears flying up behind him. He grabbed a branch that had fallen from a nearby tree and started chewing it. As Frank and Joe helped Ellie with the tablecloths, Phil and Biff went to work on the sound system. Frank looked over at Biff, trying to remember the last time heâd seen him. Phil had been friends with him for a long time, but Biff didnât go to the same school as they did. Frank and Joe usually only hung out with him at Philâs birthday parties every year.
Just then Mr. Freeman came around the side of the house. Mr. Fun, the owner of the local arcade, was right behind him. âLook who I found outside!â Mr. Freeman said. âMr. Fun came to drop off his prizes for the auction.â
All of them stopped what they were doing when they saw what Mr. Fun had brought. âIs that what I think it is?â Phil Cohen asked excitedly. He studied the box in Mr. Funâs hand. He was holding a ZCross5000, a video game system that had just come out the month before. Every kid at Bayport Elementary wanted one.
âThe ZCross5000!â Mr. Fun said. âYou bet it is! I waited in line at the store for five hours the day it came out. Then I came home, only to find out Mrs. Fun had already gotten me one for my birthday. Figured you guys could use the extra for the auction. Oh . . . and these!â He held up some free passes to Fun World, his arcade.
Frank and Joe grinned. Mr. Fun had given them a whole stack once, after theyâd solved a mystery at the arcade. They were known around Bayport for helping people find missing pets, stolen bikes, or even jewelry. Just a month before, theyâd helped figure out who had played a prank on their good friend Chet Morton.
âThis is going to be the highlight of the auction!â Mr. Freeman exclaimed. âI heard every store is sold out of the ZCross5000 now.â
âThey are!â Mr. Fun said. âI hope this helps the team get to Florida.â
Mrs. Freeman and Ellie had climbed onto the stage. They unrolled a large banner that said THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE BAYPORT BANDITS! The Freemans had put large wooden posts in the ground, and Mrs. Freeman and Ellie hung the banner in between the posts. Ellie took a few steps back, trying to get it in just the right spot. âHow does it look?â she finally asked.
âPerfect,â Joe said. They all stood there, staring at the backyard. All the chairs were set up in rows now. With the decorations they had already put up, the backyard was looking great. Mrs. Freeman had even put floating candles in the pool, which looked pretty fancy.
âThis is going to be so much fun,â Mrs. Freeman said as she taped the banner in place. âAnd with a little luck, weâll have enough in the fund to send all of you to Florida for lots of baseball and sunshine!â
Frank wrapped an arm around his brother. âSoon weâll be at the beach, catching some waves!â
âOr snorkeling,â Ellie chimed in.
âOr playing beach volleyball,â Joe added.
Frank smiled. âOrââ
âLetâs not get excited just yet!â Mr. Freeman said. He waved for them to go back inside. âThereâs still work to do. We have to set up all the trays for appetizers. We need to organize the buffet table. And you three need to change into your Bayport Bandits shirts before the guests get here.â
He pointed to Frank, Joe, and Ellie. They headed inside, Phil, Biff, and Sherlock following behind them.
Frank leaned toward his brother. âNot get excited?â he whispered. âThatâs impossible!â
Chapter 1
A PARTY FOR CHAMPIONS
âThis way, over here!â Frank Hardy called out. He waved his arms back and forth, signaling his younger brother, Joe. Joe walked across the backyard with a stack of folding chairs. They were kind of heavy, and his face was beet red after carrying them over to Frank and their friend Ellie Freeman.
Frank and Joeâs baseball team, the Bayport Bandits, was having a big fund-raiser. They were hoping to go to Florida on a team trip and play a few friendly games with other teams. In between games the team would be at the beach, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and learning how to surf.
Ellieâs parents had volunteered to host the fund-raiser at their house. They had a big backyard, where they would auction off prizes in honor of the Bayport baseball team. People from all over town had donated things for the auctionâa meal at Chez Jean, the fanciest French restaurant in Bayport, sailing lessons, art classes, and a shopping spree at Blairâs Boutique, a cute new store in town.
âWhat do you need next?â Joe asked Ellie. He dropped the metal chairs on the ground with a clatter.
âI think we need to get the tablecloths from my mom,â Ellie said. She was busy unfolding another stack of chairs and setting them up in a straight line. The stage in the backyard was already assembled, and now they were figuring out where the guests would sit during the auction. A big van from Forks and Knives was parked near the side door of Ellieâs house, and the workers were busy shuttling delicious-looking food from the van into the house. âThis party is going to be the best in Bayport history,â Frank said, looking at the decorations theyâd just hung up. There were lights and streamers strung across the yard. âDo you think weâll raise enough to go to Florida?â
âYou bet.â Ellie grinned. âThe tickets alone will give our fund a huge boost. Then we have the prizes that will be auctioned off and the fashion showâall the boutiques donated clothing just to be part of it.â
âSounds like weâll be in Florida in no time,â Joe laughed. He unfolded a chair and set it down next to one of Ellieâs.
With twenty-five kids on the team, it would be expensive to fly everyone down and have them stay at a hotel. Theyâd already had a bake sale and a car wash. With this huge event, everyone was hoping they would raise all the money they needed to bring every member of the team to Florida for freeâor at least to pay for everyoneâs plane ticket.
As Frank and Joe helped Ellie set up the rest of the chairs, Mrs. Freeman came out, followed by Phil Cohen, a friend from school. He was carrying a small speaker that he put down by the side of the stage. âYou guys remember my friend Biff, right?â Phil asked. He pointed over his shoulder.
A tall blond boy came out of the house with the other speaker. He was wearing a blue T-shirt with the word TIGERS written across it in orange script. Right behind him was a basset hound puppy with long, floppy ears, who scampered down the stairs, tail wagging.
âHey, guys!â Biff called. âLong time no see!â
Before Frank or Joe could even respond, the puppy jumped up on them. Frank crouched down as the puppy covered his face with wet kisses.
Biff ran over, grabbing the back of the puppyâs collar. âCome on, Sherlock! Down!â he commanded. âSorry, heâs still learning,â Biff apologized.
âThatâs okay,â Frank said, rubbing the puppyâs head. âHeâs great.â
âSherlock?â Ellie asked, kneeling beside them. She kissed the puppy on the nose. âThatâs so cute.â
Phil looked at his friend. âBiff and Sherlock are staying with me for the weekend while Biffâs parents are away. Heâs helping me set up the music for the fund-raiser this afternoon,â he said. âI figured we could use an extra hand.â
âIsnât that nice of him?â Mrs. Freeman said as she darted past. She put a stack of tablecloths on one of the tables. âItâs true, we could use all the help we can get.â
âI just hope this guy doesnât cause too much trouble,â Biff said, rubbing Sherlockâs head. He looked down at the dog. âYouâre going to be a good boy, arenât you, Sherlock? Arenât you?â
âLetâs hope!â Mrs. Freeman said.
Sherlock sprinted across the lawn, his ears flying up behind him. He grabbed a branch that had fallen from a nearby tree and started chewing it. As Frank and Joe helped Ellie with the tablecloths, Phil and Biff went to work on the sound system. Frank looked over at Biff, trying to remember the last time heâd seen him. Phil had been friends with him for a long time, but Biff didnât go to the same school as they did. Frank and Joe usually only hung out with him at Philâs birthday parties every year.
Just then Mr. Freeman came around the side of the house. Mr. Fun, the owner of the local arcade, was right behind him. âLook who I found outside!â Mr. Freeman said. âMr. Fun came to drop off his prizes for the auction.â
All of them stopped what they were doing when they saw what Mr. Fun had brought. âIs that what I think it is?â Phil Cohen asked excitedly. He studied the box in Mr. Funâs hand. He was holding a ZCross5000, a video game system that had just come out the month before. Every kid at Bayport Elementary wanted one.
âThe ZCross5000!â Mr. Fun said. âYou bet it is! I waited in line at the store for five hours the day it came out. Then I came home, only to find out Mrs. Fun had already gotten me one for my birthday. Figured you guys could use the extra for the auction. Oh . . . and these!â He held up some free passes to Fun World, his arcade.
Frank and Joe grinned. Mr. Fun had given them a whole stack once, after theyâd solved a mystery at the arcade. They were known around Bayport for helping people find missing pets, stolen bikes, or even jewelry. Just a month before, theyâd helped figure out who had played a prank on their good friend Chet Morton.
âThis is going to be the highlight of the auction!â Mr. Freeman exclaimed. âI heard every store is sold out of the ZCross5000 now.â
âThey are!â Mr. Fun said. âI hope this helps the team get to Florida.â
Mrs. Freeman and Ellie had climbed onto the stage. They unrolled a large banner that said THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE BAYPORT BANDITS! The Freemans had put large wooden posts in the ground, and Mrs. Freeman and Ellie hung the banner in between the posts. Ellie took a few steps back, trying to get it in just the right spot. âHow does it look?â she finally asked.
âPerfect,â Joe said. They all stood there, staring at the backyard. All the chairs were set up in rows now. With the decorations they had already put up, the backyard was looking great. Mrs. Freeman had even put floating candles in the pool, which looked pretty fancy.
âThis is going to be so much fun,â Mrs. Freeman said as she taped the banner in place. âAnd with a little luck, weâll have enough in the fund to send all of you to Florida for lots of baseball and sunshine!â
Frank wrapped an arm around his brother. âSoon weâll be at the beach, catching some waves!â
âOr snorkeling,â Ellie chimed in.
âOr playing beach volleyball,â Joe added.
Frank smiled. âOrââ
âLetâs not get excited just yet!â Mr. Freeman said. He waved for them to go back inside. âThereâs still work to do. We have to set up all the trays for appetizers. We need to organize the buffet table. And you three need to change into your Bayport Bandits shirts before the guests get here.â
He pointed to Frank, Joe, and Ellie. They headed inside, Phil, Biff, and Sherlock following behind them.
Frank leaned toward his brother. âNot get excited?â he whispered. âThatâs impossible!â