The Mystery at Mt. Fuji: Tokyo, Japan (Around the World in 80 Mysteries (Paperback))

Let's see. If I wanted to teach geography, particularly places children should know, how could I do it? Oh, yes, build a mystery at a touristy hot spot! Perhaps the city of Tokyo and Mount Fuji! What? It's been done? No way!But, indeed, it has. In fact, Carole Marsh has created over 80 mysteries set around the world, including Tokyo and its permanent tourist center--Mount Fuji, reportedly visible from all over Japan. She uses herself as a children's writer and her husband as the adult chaperones and her own grandchildren as the central characters who first discover then solve the mysteries. For the first half of the series, her characters were her own children, but they grew up, only to be replaced by grandchildren. It's a lovely premise.I've read three of her mysteries:  The Mystery at Big Ben (Around the World in 80 Mysteries)  and  The Mystery at the Eiffel Tower (Around the World in 80 Mysteries) . If you notice, the series is called "Around the World in 80 Mysteries."Besides using herself and her family, she also asks readers to send in their names which she picks to include their names as characters in her books, including villains. Marsh also solicits suggestions for sites for her forthcoming books.So what we have with the Carole Marsh books are these:1. Mysteries which children 7-12 love2. Children as protagonists3. Setting in a famous city (and a good geography lesson)4. A famous tourist place is always the final destination of the mystery and its solving by the children5. There are always local children as tour guides6. There's always a feasible reason for the writer and her grands to be present in the city7. It's a fun and "dangerous" mystery with that air of frisson that both children and adults love!In this particular mystery the two children meet the children of their grandparents' tour guide. They become their tour guides. As one explains, they can travel safely about Tokyo on the subway and do. Can you imagine that in some large urban center here? Anyway the mystery centers on this fabulous sword given to a beloved sumo wrestler, which disappears practically in front of Christina and Grant and the two Japanese children. The remainder of the story follows the four children as they go from one clue to another left by a mysterious man who also exudes a sense of danger. The mystery is also solved and due praise--or rewards--given.What I most appreciate about this series is the geography and accompanying local culture information. In this case, sumo wrestlers, kimonos, bullet trains, kanji, language phrases, and other factoids. I had originally intended to deduct a star for the misuse of the term "hari-kari," only to discover at my own investigation that I am wrong. Hari-kari is spoken, seppuku is written, thus the two terms mean the same.These books are along the same informative line as the Magic Tree House books (time and place stories) and the Magic School Bus (science and place). I highly recommend all three series, especially for school libraries where all children can find a few books in each series of particular interest to them. Plus--and this is very important--adults are not treated as mentally deficient, but as bright, engaging, resourceful, and like-able!The clever librarian will find ways to put more of the books in these series in more hands! It's a good ride for all (I've made three very enjoyable trips, myself!)Parents, of course, can do likewise.

So far I haven't heard that he read it.I'm trying to find books which will interest him and increase his reading skill.

The seventh book by Carole Marsh's Around The World series serves as a nice introduction to Tokyo, Japan through the eyes of young children and with some mysteries involved. As far as the title MOUNT FUJI goes, it is given only one and a half chapter and contains some iaccuracies from the viewpoint of a Mount Fuji World Heritage Guide and a Certified Guide in Japan. Had the author known about popular sites at the foot of Mount Fuji such as Ice Cave, Bat Cave or Shiraito Waterfall, a number of Sengen Shrines and Fuji mounds in Tokyo, she could have made much more exciting stories to tell. Other parts are quite amusing to read such as visiting a sumo wrestlers' stable in Ryogoku. Professor Kato and their grandchildren did a great job as amateur guides. Not so many Japanese people can give introduction to Japanese culture in such an organized manner. The places they went include:SWORD MUSEUM in Shibuya-ward, Tokyo, about ten minutes walk from Shinjuku Central Park.UENO PARK in Taito-ward, TokyoSENSOJI TEMPLE in Taito-ward, TokyoA SUMO WRESTLERS' STABLE: in Sumida-ward Tokyo. Some of the stables are around Ryogoku Sumo Stadium.LAKE ASHI: A lake in Hakone boasting great views of Mount FujiMOUNT FUJI: Just went close to the southeastern foot of the mountain. Spewing site is either an author's imagination or misunderstanding.TOKYO DISNEYLAND: in Urayasu, ChibaThis book could be much better if the author included some snapshots with children at major scenic places used for the story instead of excerpts of another title.Reviewer's Note:1: Chapter 9, P67-68 Taro says the bullet train picks up speeds to 168 mph(270kmh) but not Kodama SuperExpress stopping at Atami. Kodama's maximum speed is about 130mph(210kmh).2: Chapter 11, p81 When Professor Kato learned about volcanoes they are categorized in three groups, extinct, dormant(sleeping), and active. That categorization is becoming academically "extinct". Japan's Meteorological Agency defines "active volcanoes" as peaks that proved to have eruptions within 10,000 years and the number is currently 110. P84: The spewing site Professor Kato mentions is actually OWAKUDANI VALLEY in Hakone not in southeastern foot of Mount Fuji. The author might have confused about this.Verdict: Nice Introduction to Tokyo, Japan.Rating: 76 out of 100. Not so much space for Mount Fuji. Five points deducted for insufficient information about Mount Fuji.Recommended for: Anyone with children interested in Japan and Japanese culture.

児童作家キャロル・マーシュによる、世界の名所を子供ミステリーを織り交ぜながら案内するというシリーズの日本編。確かに日本人から見ると突っ込みどころ満載なのだろうが、日本がテーマになったドラマと比べればまだまともに描いていると思える。作者が登場人物役の子供とともに現地の家庭にホームステイしてそこでの体験や学んだことをもとに物語を作るという形式である。日本のホストファミリーの人々がマーシュ氏や子供たちに日本の説明をするのだが、熱海に止まる新幹線こだまの最高スピードが270キロとか、間違い方がリアルで、それなりに楽しめる。作中に登場する刀剣博物館は新宿中央公園と明治神宮の間にあって外国人に非常に人気がある。そのほか浅草浅草寺やディズニーランド、箱根も登場するが、富士山に噴気孔があるという説明は間違いで箱根の大涌谷と混同しているフシがある。タイトルに富士山が登場しているのに肝心の富士山のことはあまり出てこないのが多少不満である。