It's the start of a new school year, and Cam Jansen and her best friend Eric Shelton are shopping for school supplies at Binky's Department Store when they become involved in solving a series of thefts. Customers in the crowded store keep having their bags stolen, and Cam soon has an idea of who the guilty party is. The only question is, what are they doing with all the stolen goods, which they never seem to have on them...?

First published in 1986, Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Corn Popper is the eleventh entry in David A. Adler's beginning chapter-book series devoted to the mysterious adventures of Cam and Eric. As in other entries in the series, Cam uses her photographic memory to solve the mystery. That said, Eric also has a contribution to make, using his knowledge of his younger twin sisters to help a security guard restore a lost child to his mother. Although a minor point, I appreciated this, as I sometimes feel that Eric is too much of a sidekick in these books, and isn't allowed to contribute enough to the mystery-solving. Recommended to beginning chapter-book readers who enjoy mysteries, and to fans of Cam Jansen. ( )

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i like mystery books so i got this book and i love it! ( )

I liked this book for two reasons. The first reason I liked this book was because of the characters. I think the characters are well developed and believable. The characters are Jennifer “Cam” Jansen and Eric. The characters are both fifth graders shopping at a department store for school supplies. The characters are depicted as being close friends. For example, Eric knows that Cam’s name is really Jennifer, but everyone else knows her as Cam because of her photographic memory. The other reason I like this book is because of the plot. I think the plot builds suspense throughout the book and it is a child’s version of a mystery story. The reader is taken on a journey with Cam and Eric to find who was stealing shopping bags in the department store “Binky’s.” I think the purpose of the book is for the reader’s entertainment. I think the book adds suspense and mystery by taking the reader through an investigation. The book does a great job developing characters and creating a story that is believable and intriguing. ( )