We are the publisher, The Critical Thinking Co. and this is a brand new book in the latest edition. DescriptionA colorful, 40-page printable eBook for grades 5 and up of fun, easy-to-use detective cases to help students analyze and synthesize information and to guide decision-making while enhancing vocabulary. This is the fun way to learn new vocabulary! The vocabulary in these mysteries was gathered from a multitude of sources including SAT and ACT word lists and the author’s reading selections. Merriam Webster’s online dictionary provided many of the details about the words including usage, look-up history, synonyms and antonyms. Students must identify the meaning of new vocabulary as they try to uncover the subtle clues hidden in the statements from witnesses and suspects. Each mystery features between 16 and 25 vocabulary words and every one of them requires careful reading, critical thinking, and synthesizing information to identify the innocent and guilty. The cases also develop observation skills, reading comprehension, deductive and inductive thinking skills. Learning to identify and evaluate evidence is the very heart of critical thinking.After solving each case, the second part of the activity gives versatility to the vocabulary words as students practice using them in a different context. Readers choose the appropriate word from the word list to complete each sentence. When the word lists contain synonyms, students have flexibility in their choices. These activities and their vocabulary words are not easy, but don’t despair. If you take the time to decipher the unknown words and reread, you’ll have sharper critical thinking skills and an expanded vocabulary. Awards Creative Child Magazine 2018 Book of the Year Award, Educational Books for Kids CategoryThe Old Schoolhouse Magazine – Homeschool Blue Ribbon Award for Favorite Middle School Product Tillywig Brain Child Award, Fall 2017————————————— Written by Diane Hartsig