New Contest: Alec Flint, Super Sleuth

Scholastic is running an Alec Flint, Super Sleuth contest. The first three people to e-mail jill@jillsantopolo.com with their mailing address, saying that they read this message on Jen Robinson's Book Page and correctly cracking the coded message below will receive a free, autographed copy of The Nina, The Pinta and the Vanishing Treasure. (Hint: The key to Alec and Gina's code is over on www.jillsantopolo.com)

Here's the coded message that needs to be cracked: RM ULFIGVVM SFMWIVW MRMVGB GDL, XLOFNYFH HZROVW GSV LXVZM YOFV.

Enticing? Here's a bit more about the book, from Scholastic's press release:

"Alec Flint is practicing to be a super-sleuth. He's got a pair of super-sleuth pants with lots of hiding pockets, a sleuthing side-kick, and now a major robbery to investigate.

In the first book in an exciting new series, Alec's dad, a local police officer, discovers the Christopher Columbus exhibit has gone missing from the town museum, and Alec is on the case!

With help from his side-kick, Gina, and his fourth grade history class, Alec is determine to uncover the truth. Santopolo's debut book will have middle grade readers racing to solve this clever crime."

Doesn't that sound fun? I'm always on the lookout for good books for early elementary school kids (this one is aimed at kids age 7 to 10), and especially for mysteries, so this one caught my eye. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but it's nearing the top of my list. Enter the contest above, and find out about the book for yourself.