By seven oclock on Saturday morning, the sun was up. It was a perfect day for an outdoor book sale. In just a couple hours, the Mystery Bookstore would be ready for its first customers. Its almost your last day in New Orleans, so I dont want to work...
That afternoon, Benny looked for Miss Chase from the parlor window. Finally, very late in the day, she came around the corner. Benny flew downstairs, through the courtyard, and out to the street. Goodness, I didnt know we were expecting Hurricane Ben...
Suspect or not, Mr. Bindry was still his grumpy old self when he reappeared an hour later. Can we help you carry those heavy books? Henry asked. Hrmph, was Mr. Bindrys answer. These are my price guides, and I can carry them myself. Did you have to go...
Wake up sleepyheads! Jessie said the next morning. Jessie tickled Violets and Bennys feet. Stop it, Watch, Violet mumbled. Still dreaming, she thought she was back in Greenfield where the family dog, Watch, liked to wake up the children one by one. J...
Im so full, I can hardly walk up these stairs, Benny said as the children climbed up to Miss Chases apartment. And guess what? Im not even hungry! That jumble dish we had for dinner sure filled me up. You mean the jambalaya, Violet said. Jessie stepp...
The Riverfront Streetcar was jammed with people visiting New Orleans just like the Aldens. Everyone seemed to be wearing a silly hat or carrying a colorful souvenir umbrella to shade themselves from the hot sun. New Orleans is just like a carnival, V...
These book tables are as well organized as a library, Miss Chase told the Aldens the next day. Im glad to see Violet reading one of her fairy tales because some of these books have been sitting in this shop unread for decades. Henry laid down an armf...
The hours flew by. Miss Chase spent her time making business calls. The Aldens carried books from the shop out to the tables in the courtyard where the book sale would be held. And Sarah Deckle spent the morning buried in the childrens book section w...
Grandfather! the children said, laughing and hugging Mr. Alden when the auction was over. You bought the bookshop! Everyone seemed amazed except for Benny. Now we have a toy boxcar, a real boxcar, and a bookstore. What a good idea! But what will we d...
Next to be auctioned is this toy boxcar, a man yelled to the crowd in the courtyard. A fine thing for a fine boy or girl. Do I hear a dollar? Benny Alden wriggled in his seat. He was so excited he could hardly sit still. He reached into the pocket of...