The Crook Who Took the Book Read Online Free

suspects always gross boys?” she whispered.
    Then she remembered the Internet sign-up sheet. Nancy dug into her book bag for a pencil. She jotted her own name next to Andy’s.
    George and Bess ran up behind Nancy.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Bess demanded. “Why did you dash off like that?”
    George peered at the sign-up sheet. “You’re skipping recess for computer time? But it’s dodgeball day!”
    â€œDo you see who else has signed up?” Nancy said.
    â€œAndy Nixon,” Bess read off the sheet.
    â€œMake that Andy Nixon, chief suspect in the missing book mystery,” Nancy whispered.
    â€œReally?” George whispered. “You think Andy took the book?”
    â€œI can’t be sure yet,” Nancy said. “But maybe at recess I’ll find out.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢Â 
    Nancy sighed. The morning seemed endless! First Mrs. Reynolds had given the class a spelling quiz. Next they’d donemath worksheets. Three math worksheets.
    Finally the bell rang for recess.
    â€œYay!” yelled most of the kids, popping out of their chairs and racing to the classroom door.
    â€œDodgeball day,” Mike Minelli yelled. “My favorite!”
    â€œYuck,” Bess said. “I’m jumping rope!”
    Nancy didn’t say a word. She just grabbed her clue notebook and hurried to the library. She didn’t want to miss out on Andy Nixon’s “research.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢Â 
    In the library Andy settled into the computer chair. Mrs. Goldstein stood at his side. Today her cardigan sweater had green and purple stripes. She turned to Nancy as she walked into the library.
    â€œHello, Nancy,” she said. “Andy and I are just getting started. Would you like to look at a book while you wait?”
    â€œSure,” Nancy said, grabbing the first book she saw. It was about antique cars. Bo-ring. But that didn’t matter. Nancy wasn’t really going to read the book. Instead, she was going to see what Andywas up to. She sat down in a chair near the computer and listened hard.
    â€œSo, what can I help you with, Andy?” Mrs. Goldstein asked.
    â€œCan you help me find some graphic novels?” Andy said.
    â€œLike Foul-up at the Floss Factory? ” Mrs. Goldstein replied.
    â€œYup,” Andy said. “I want to know if there are other books like that.”
    This proves it, Nancy thought as Mrs. Goldstein and Andy began pointing and clicking with the computer mouse. Andy must have stolen Mr. Sandback’s book. Now he wants other graphic novels to add to his collection!
    Click.
    Click-click.
    Click.
    Nancy fidgeted. She pretended to read her antique car book while Mrs. Goldstein and Andy went from Web site to Web site.
    Finally, Mrs. Goldstein said, “Well, we’ve found ten books, Andy. Would you like me to see if we have any of them here?”



“Yes, please,” Andy said.
    But as Mrs. Goldstein went to check on the books, Nancy peered around her chair. Andy looked a little sad. “What’s wrong, Andy?” Nancy said.
    â€œWell, those other graphic novels might be okay,” he said, “but I bet they’re not as cool as Foul-up at the Floss Factory. ”
    â€œWhy do you say that?” Nancy said.
    â€œBecause Mr. Sandback was really neat,” Andy said. “I bet that was a really great old book. And it’s a collector’s item! I hope you catch whoever snatched it.”
    Nancy’s eyes widened. Mr. Sandback had turned Andy into a book lover! And a book lover would never steal a rare book. Andy seemed to be innocent after all.
    Mrs. Goldstein returned, bringing Andy a small stack of graphic novels to check out.
    â€œThanks a lot, Mrs. Goldstein,” he said. Then he looked at the library clock. “Recess isn’t over yet? Ugh—I guess I’m going to play . . . dodgeball.”
    Andy slumped out of the library while Nancy