I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young girl discovers a new mystery to solve after rescuing a farmer’s donkey and discovering his wife’s favorite painting is missing in the fourth book in the beloved Boomer’s Tales series, “Long Lost Elvis” by Christine Isley-Farmer.
The Synopsis
A donkey runs out in front of Nana Weathers’s car when she, Chloe, and Boomer are returning from Camp Resound. Mr. Brown, a farmer, drives upon the scene. To thank them for keeping his donkey, Elvis, safe, Mr. Brown invites everyone to his farm. There, they discover that his wife’s favorite painting is missing, and so begins a new mystery for Chloe and friends to solve. Will their efforts be successful, and what surprises will they learn about Elvis, the runaway donkey?
The Review
This was such a thoughtful and engaging story for young readers. Longtime fans of the Boomer’s Tales series will love the continuation of this story, as readers are treated to a heartwarming tale of a young girl and her animal friends not only investigating this new mystery but getting to know this unusual and fun new animal friend as well. The imagery and subtle emotional tone of the narrative really played well with the narrative, as the reader delved further and further into Elvis’s backstory and the mystery of Mr. Brown’s painting.
The heart of this story definitely was the character development the author utilized. Not only did readers get to see the chemistry between the established characters shine brightly here, but the backstory of Elvis and the mystery of his past, as well as the emotional backstory behind the painting itself and the reality of who took the painting itself at the end of the narrative.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, emotional, and captivating, author Christine Isley-Farmer’s “Long Lost Elvis” is a must-read children’s book. In the perfect continuation of the Boomer’s Tales series, the author keeps an even pace and brings a great balance between the established characters and the newcomers involving Elvis and Mr. Brown’s stories. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Christine Isley-Farmer is the author of the children’s chapter book series, “Boomer’s Tales.” Three of the books in the series have been published. Her debut book in the series, Finding My Yip, was named Finalist in the Children’s Fiction category by the American Writing Awards 2021. In 2022, her second book in the series, A Hard Nut to Crack, was named Finalist in the Children’s Chapter Book category by the National Indie Excellence Awards.
Christine is also a writer of miscellaneous poetry.
She holds BM. MM, and DMA degrees and is Professor Emeritus in the School of Music at Middle Tennessee State University where she coordinated the voice area. She has sung professionally in opera and concert in the US and Europe. Christine currently lives in Murfreesboro, TN with her husband and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dylan.
