Mr. Ortiz and the Missing Purple Whistle

About this book:

Every morning on Elm Street runs like clockwork—thanks to Mr. Ortiz, the dapper crossing guard whose five color-coded whistles tell the whole neighborhood what day it is. But one Wednesday, the royal purple whistle vanishes from its velvet-lined box, and the comforting rhythm of the Walking School Bus skips a beat. With his white gloves, neon vest, and conductor's flair, Mr. Ortiz turns the search into a neighborhood-wide investigation, retracing steps from the bakery to the library steps, questioning squirrels and storm drains alike.

Join Maya, Leo, Sam, and the rest of the Walking School Bus as they follow a trail of violet clues through twenty-six charming chapters of red herrings, sandbox stakes, and sidewalk whispers. *Mr. Ortiz and the Missing Purple Whistle* is a cozy, character-driven mystery that celebrates community, routine, and the small rituals that make a street feel like home. Perfect for readers who love a gentle puzzle wrapped in warmth, humor, and the promise that everything lost will be found—usually in the most unlikely spot.