Mystery

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

Author and Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg

Publisher Info: Houghton Mifflin, September 1984

Description: This is a really unique book. The introduction gives the reader essential information. An author-illustrator, Harris Burdick, goes missing. He leaves behind a series of pictures with titles/captions that were meant to be used for different picture books. Each one encourages the reader to create their own stories while thinking about the mystery of what story Harris Burdick may have intended to accompany each illustration. 

Evaluation: Creativity and imagination are at the forefront of this book. The introduction of the book sets the reader up with the mystery of Harris Burdick's disappearance, but then encourages readers to use his work to "finish" the stories that could accompany each of the pictures. 

Usage: The sky is the limit for how this text can be used in a classroom/library setting. Each of the pictures that are accompanied by a title/caption would make excellent writing prompts for students. This book would also be an excellent way to review making inferences with students.  This text encourages creativity and captures the essence of the mystery genre in a unique way.