Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children
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Striker Jones is an excellent text for older elementary students beginning to grasp more and more complicated economic concepts. Through its easy flowing narrative with lots of conversational dialogue, children will learn to see that economics affect their daily life far more than they realized!... [It includes a] cast of compelling characters... and Striker Jones himself is a character readers will be bound to love.
Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children
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SocialStudiesforKids.com
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Striker Jones knows his economics. After reading this book, other kids will, too. Each chapter in this great book by Maggie M. Larche is a mini-mystery involving Striker and his friends and classmates. Each chapter ends with a leading question, for readers to think about before turning the page and getting the answer. The solution reinforces the economics concept(s) at work in Striker's solving the case. This is a fun way to learn (or relearn) the basics of economics. Concepts covered include scarcity, supply and demand, opportunity cost, exchange of goods (or services), balancing risk with reward, economic self-interest, and the need to spend to deliver a return on investment. It's also an interesting and well-thought-out twist on the usual kid detective tales. Teachers will enjoy illustrating economics concepts by using these stories, and students will enjoy the learning that goes along with the entertainment of reading a story and trying to outwit Striker the detective.
Social Studies for Kids
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Midwest Book Review
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Striker Jones and the Midnight Archer' is the latest title in a middle grade mystery/econ -short story- collection series. Here are ten absolutely riveting chapter mysteries with economics related themes about Striker, Bill, Sheila, and Amy as they throw down an exciting series of mysterious challenges at summer camp. At the end of every action packed chapter, there is a telling question which summarizes the economic and mystery-related implications in the story. In case of brain drain or brain freeze, a handy solution summary follows, with, generally, a happy ending.
Once again creative author Maggie Larche proves that middle grade readers (and younger) are up to solving mysteries, analyzing economics, and picking up on clues in a fun and rollicking series that has some heart and group ethics at the core of the story. 'Striker Jones and the Midnight Archer' is a candidate for further awards in its effortless teaching of both excellent cooperation values and basic economics. It is also ideal summer reading for young adults, since the separate but related chapter mysteries stand alone as well as together.
Midwest Book Review
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F. Bailey Norwood
Associate Professor
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Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University
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Striker Jones, by Maggie M. Larche, should be an integral part of elementary school curriculum (Or maybe middle school? I'm not sure.) This book is written to teach kids about economics and it accomplishes its objective for many reasons. First, the stories really are clever in how they communicate economic concepts like trade, scarcity, and risk. I have a PhD. in economics and have taught agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University for ten years, so I can testify to the validity of Larche's economics.
Not only are the stories effective if they are read, but kids will want to read it. They are detective stories, a genre everyone loves. Each chapter teaches a different concept, and the chapters are the perfect length. They are long enough to allow a rich story but short enough for a kid with ADD. The writing is clear, succinct, and appropriate for kids. Finally, the stories contain elements that kids will especially relate to, like the irresistible urge to walk on wet concrete, being picked first for a dodge-ball game, or the setting of a school cafeteria.
My oldest child is just learning to read, and I will definitely make sure she reads all of Maggie Larche's children's books. Please know that I do not know Larche, so I do not write this out of a personal obligation. My review is sincere and honest.
I congratulate her on a triumph. If you have kids, order Striker Jones right now!
F. Bailey Norwood
Associate Professor
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Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University
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From teachers, parents, and readers
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"Encore, Maggie Larche! My 8-year-old son really loved this book as well as the other Striker Jones book. I hope Ms. Larche writes others." - Laurel Kenner
"This is another great book from a very talented writer. My son loved this one as much as the first, and he has read it at least 5 times. Keep 'em coming!" - Lili2000
"Thumbs up from a 9 year old girl (and Encyclopedia Brown fan). Bought this (actually both Striker Jones books) as well as the "Under the Hidden Stairs" books for my 9 year old (who has expressed an interest in economics.) These she loves. "Like Encyclopedia Brown" she said - and that, in this family, is very high praise." - L.A.M.B.
"This reminds me so much of Encyclopedia Brown--but with an economics twist. I wish I'd had these puzzling tales when I was in elementary school." - crb.writer
"My 8 year old daughter loved it and asked me to buy the next one. I love the hard-to-find lessons in economics and real-world self interest. I wish the author wrote more of these." - Dean Tinnes
"I thought this was a really good book because it teaches you stuff and it is fun to read and to work by answering the questions." - Marcello Fontana
"I really enjoyed this book. It makes economic lessons simple and kid friendly, is well thought out and organized so that a parent or teacher can interact with kid each lesson, and amazingly of all it makes economics fun and exciting! Well written. I've highly recommended this to many people." - M.J.K.
"Striker Jones is a book that is fun but makes you think at the same time. It is very helpful for learning economics. It left me wishing for more . I reccomend this book for ages 7-13." - goatgirl
"Fun detective fiction for kids! We discovered Striker Jones when it was a Kickstarter project, and my daughter really enjoyed it. She devours detective stories like Cam Jansen, Encyclopedia Brown, etc., and I think she liked Striker Jones just as much. Fun book!" - Sarah Christianson
"My kids love this book. Great intro to economics, and amazingly fun to read! My 3rd graders loved the stories - reminded me of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries - but these mysteries are solved with basic economic principles. The author really understands kids and their interests, and presents these concepts in a way kids can easily understand. We loved the sequel (Striker Jones and the Midnight Archer), too." - Laurie Cockerell
"This book fits in perfectly with my economics unit!! I am also an English teacher and absolutely LOVE bringing reading into content area classes. This is a great resource and my students are really enjoying it!" - Barbara Pearson
"My students LOVED LOVED LOVED your book. I used the discussion questions and activities in your lesson plan pack. Thank you so much. We have already ordered a class set of the second book." - Heather B.
"I was looking for something fun and different to implement into my class. The students are really getting into reading these chapters. We read them when the chapter topic falls into alignment with our objectives for certain lessons. It is a great break from some of the textbooks heavy reading and the kids are able to relate to the characters in the book." - Lisa Michalczuk
"I wish I would have found this earlier!! So great to teach real life economics!" - Alyssa Winter
"Detailed information and questioning with an economics theme. There isn't enough emphasis on economics in elementary school! Thank you." - Carolyn Wilhelm
"My class LOVES this novel!! - Sue Dembski
"Awesome packet, teacher/student friendly. Great buy!" - Lavonna Woods
"Awesome way to teach a difficult topic to elementary students!" - Steve Richardson
"This is a great addition to a an economics lesson, in fact, I'm using it for my third graders lesson. Each short story is different and features a different scenario you try to solve. In one, the solution is about bartering (trading), in another, it's about supply in demand. The author uses short scenarios that students could relate to; for example, the story about trading is about a baseball card. Vocabulary is appropriate for elementary age students and it would be easy to add this to a lesson." - Alisha Painter
"My fifth grade class loved this!" - Julie Cronin
"I have already used the first two chapters - the students love these stories! They really get into the discussion questions and activities, too! Thanks :)" - trigirloakley
"My kids LOVED this story!!" - Shannon Hoff
"I love this! My class can't wait to do Social Studies since I've been using this book! Thanks!" - Christie West
"I love it. Thanks." - jdrobb
"There are not a whole lot of resources out there like this. I love it!" - Miss Dierking
"My kids LOVE this!!!" - Raquel B.
"These are wonderful! We will be using this for our homeschool! Thank you!" - NarrowGate Christian Homeschool
"The students love the stories that help to teach the economics concepts." - teddybear2
"Love this!" - campaa
"This is a great resource to help kids learn economic terms in a story format. My class really enjoyed the stories. Thanks!" - tutoringbyheidi
"Was a fun way to get concepts taught. Kids enjoyed using it." - Ann Todd
