Book excerpt: Perfect for beginning readers, this timeless chapter book is a fun introduction to the detective mystery genre. And for Valentine's Day, kids can follow Nate as he unravels the problem, all the while learning about the importance of friendship--with people and dogs! Nate the Great hates mushy stuff. Then he spies a big red paper heart taped to Sludge’s doghouse. Who left Nate’s dog a secret valentine? Nate will solve the case, and then there will be no more mushy stuff. At least that’s what he thinks. . . . Check out the Fun Activities section in the back of the book! “A most appealing choice.”—Booklist, Boxed Review