First Edition Printed by Friesens Corporation in Altona, MB, Canada. February 2017, Job #230345

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Text and illustrations copyright 2017 by Institute of Reading Development, Inc. All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means known now or later developed without the express written permission from Institute of Reading Development, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review. For further information contact: Institute of Reading Development 5 Commercial Blvd. Novato, CA 94949 www.readingprograms.org First Edition Printed by Friesens Corporation in Altona, MB, Canada. February 2017, Job #230345

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1 The Sidewalk I am Ruby Cruz. But my friends call me Ruby Clues. I am the best detective in town. I am always solving cases. But not this week. This week is the sidewalk chalk contest. I signed up yesterday. Now I need to finish my picture. 5

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Winning the contest won t be easy. My friend Pete will be hard to beat. I saw Pete s picture yesterday before baseball practice. It took up his whole sidewalk. It was perfect. My picture was pretty good, but it wasn t as good as Pete s. 7

This morning, I went to see Pete s picture again. Maybe it would give me some new ideas. But that is not what happened. Pete was outside. He looked sad. Look, said Pete. He pointed to the sidewalk. Pete s picture was still perfect, except for one thing. The middle of his picture was missing. 8

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Part of your picture is missing, Pete, I said. I know, said Pete. Did you erase it? I asked. A good detective always asks questions. No, said Pete. Someone stole it. I was afraid you would say that, I said. 11

It is hard to steal a chalk picture, I said. Pete nodded. This will be a hard case to solve, I said. Pete asked, Will you do it? I looked at Pete s missing picture. Then I thought about my own picture. It would have to wait. I, Ruby Clues, will take the case, I said. 12

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2 Rocco I took out my notebook. A good detective always has a notebook. Give me the facts, I said. We went to baseball practice at 3:00, Pete said. I got home at 4:30. The middle of my picture was gone. 14

I wrote down the facts. 15

Were there any witnesses? I asked. No, said Pete. Just Rocco. But he doesn t count. I nodded. Rocco was Pete s older brother. Rocco didn t pay attention to things. He wouldn t make a very good witness. Let s ask him anyway, I said. 16

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We went inside and found Rocco. He looked worried. What s wrong, Rocco? Pete asked. I lost my favorite hat, Rocco said. Try looking on your head, I said. Rocco patted his head and smiled. Thanks! he said. See what I mean about Rocco? 18

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Rocco, I think you witnessed a crime, I said. I don t think so, said Rocco. We ll see, I said. Were you home yesterday? Rocco said, I went swimming at the pool, like I do every day. I got home at 4:00. 20

4:00 was when Pete s picture was stolen. Maybe Rocco would be helpful after all. 21

Did you see who stole Pete s picture for the art contest? I asked. Rocco looked puzzled. He asked, What art contest? See what I mean about Rocco? Never mind, I said. Pete and I went back outside. 22

I wrote in my notebook. 23

3 Icky Rocco was no help, Pete said. We need a suspect, I said. We looked around. Next door, little Jo-Jo was playing with Icky. Jo-Jo is three, and Icky is her best friend. But Icky isn t a person. Icky is Jo-Jo s favorite blanket. 24

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Jo-Jo never goes anywhere without Icky. She drags Icky all over the place. Icky gets pretty dirty. Icky is a good name for Jo-Jo s blanket. 26

Maybe Jo-Jo is a suspect, said Pete. Pete was joking, because Jo-Jo is just a little kid. But it gave me an idea. 27

You re right, Pete, I said. I need to talk to Jo-Jo. Why would Jo-Jo steal my picture? Pete asked. She didn t steal it, I said. Icky did! Can I hold Icky? I asked Jo-Jo. No! said Jo-Jo. She never lets anyone hold Icky. 28

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But a good detective is always prepared. I took a lollipop out of my pocket. I ll give you a treat, I said. Jo-Jo couldn t resist. I, Ruby Clues, was about to solve the case. 31

I said, I bet Jo-Jo dragged Icky over your picture. I bet the chalk rubbed off on Icky. I spread Icky out on the ground. We saw grass, dirt, and leaves stuck to Icky. But we didn t see any chalk. 32

I gave Icky back to Jo-Jo and wrote in my notebook. 33

4 Slurp Who is our next suspect? asked Pete. I don t know, I said. But watch out here comes Slurp! Slurp is the big dog from down the street. Slurp is not her real name. We call her Slurp because she is always licking us. 34

She is just being friendly, but we wish she would stop. 35

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Stop it, Slurp! yelled Pete. Slurp stopped licking Pete and ran over to me. No, Slurp! I yelled. Slurp started licking a tree instead. That gave me an idea. 37

I think Slurp stole your picture! I said. Why would a dog steal my picture? Pete asked. I said, She couldn t help it. I bet Slurp licked your picture. I bet she has chalk stuck to her paws and her mouth. I bet I m about to solve the case! 38

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I called to Slurp. I looked at her paws and in her mouth. I didn t see any chalk at all. 40

I guess I was wrong, I said. I took out my notebook and wrote a note. Slurp licked my notebook and ran home. 41

What now? asked Pete. I was stumped. We were out of clues. But a good detective never gives up. I said, You fix your picture. It is almost time for baseball practice. We will look for more clues later. What if the thief comes back? asked Pete. I was worried about that too. Let s hope not, I said. 42

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5 Baseball Baseball practice was really fun. But it was also really hot. Over the fence, I could hear kids playing at the town pool. They sounded like they were having fun. They sounded like they were cool and wet. 45

Suddenly, I remembered something. Rocco goes to the pool every day. Rocco comes home at 4:00. I looked at my watch. It was almost 4:00. I had to hurry. But it was my turn at bat. 46

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I swung hard at the first pitch. It flew over the fence. A home run! 48

I ran around all the bases. But I didn t stop there. I kept running all the way home. Come back, Ruby! I heard Coach yelling. Sorry, Coach! I yelled back. I, Ruby Clues, have solved the case! 49

6 Case Closed! I ran right past my house and all the way to Pete s. I knew what I would find there. Rocco was lying on his towel, right in the middle of Pete s picture. Rocco! I yelled, Get up! 50

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Hi, Ruby, said Rocco. Did you find the thief? Yes, I said. It s you! Rocco looked puzzled. Me? he asked. Do you lie here every day after the pool? I asked. Yes, said Rocco. The sidewalk is warm. It s a good way to dry off. 52

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Didn t you see Pete s picture? I asked. What picture? asked Rocco. He picked up his towel. Under it, Pete s picture was a mess. I grabbed Rocco s towel and turned it around. 54

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Look! I said. Your wet towel stole Pete s picture! Rocco looked at the picture on the towel. Wow, he said. Pete s a really good artist! I groaned. See what I mean about Rocco? 56

Just then, Pete ran up. I told him what happened. Pete shook my hand. Great job, Ruby Clues, he said. 57

Rocco and I helped Pete fix his picture.

The next day, Pete won the sidewalk chalk contest. First prize was a brand new set of sidewalk chalk. Pete gave half the chalk to me. I couldn t win without a picture, he said. And I wouldn t have a picture without your help! 60

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I took out a big new piece of chalk. I wrote on the sidewalk, Case closed! 62