The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel)

Mrs. Caroline Fish met Leon Carillon when they were both children, and their families arranged for them to marry once they turned eighteen. On their wedding night aboard a boat, Leon falls overboard during a storm, leaving Caroline with only his partial last words: "Tell Caroline...glub glub." Years later, Caroline (now Mrs. Carillon) runs a soup company while searching everywhere for her lost husband Leon. She enlists help from her twins Tina and Tony, along with her friend Mrs. Carruthers, to solve the mystery of Leon's disappearance and decode his final message. The search takes the characters through New York City as they follow clues, solve word puzzles, and investigate possible sightings. Their quest becomes more urgent when they discover that someone named Noel may be connected to the case. The book combines elements of mystery and wordplay to explore themes of identity, family bonds, and the power of persistence. Its intricate puzzle structure mirrors the characters' efforts to piece together fragmented information and find meaning in unexpected places.

Readers describe this as a light mystery filled with wordplay, puns, and puzzles that younger readers can solve alongside the characters. Many note it works well as both a read-aloud book and for independent reading. Readers liked: - The playful approach to language and codes - Characters solving riddles through careful observation - The quirky illustrations and typography - Multiple plot threads coming together at the end Common criticisms: - Too confusing for some younger readers - Some found the writing style choppy - Several noted it hasn't aged as well as Raskin's other books Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (90+ ratings) One reader called it "a silly mystery that rewards attention to detail," while another described it as "dated but charming." Multiple reviewers mentioned rereading it as adults after loving it as children. Some teachers report using it successfully in grades 4-6 to teach problem-solving and close reading skills.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin A puzzle-filled mystery leads characters through a series of word games and clues to uncover the truth about an eccentric millionaire's death.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett Two sixth graders follow codes, patterns, and pentominoes to solve an art heist connected to the painter Vermeer.

Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums by Trenton Lee Stewart This companion to The Mysterious Benedict Society series presents readers with codes, riddles, and logic puzzles woven into a narrative.

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd A brother and sister use logic and deduction to track down their cousin who steps into a pod on the London Eye but never steps out.

The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech A story set in Switzerland features wordplay, misunderstandings, and language mix-ups as an angel and a young girl work to help others in their village.

🔍 Ellen Raskin was not only an author but also a professional artist who designed over 1,000 book covers, including the original cover of A Wrinkle in Time. 📚 The book's unique title structure (with parentheses) reflects a key plot point where the character's name keeps switching between Leon and Noel, creating a playful word puzzle. 🎨 Throughout the novel, Raskin incorporates typography and visual elements as part of the storytelling, making words appear in different sizes and arrangements on the page. 🌊 The story's central mystery begins with a shipwreck during a glitter soda taste test, inspired by the real-life competition between soft drink companies in the 1960s. ✍️ The book was written during a pivotal time in children's literature (1971) when authors were beginning to experiment more with unconventional narrative styles and puzzle-mystery formats.