Mystery in Crooked Creek Woods: Tree Street Kids (Book 4)

AUTHOR: Amanda Cleary Eastep

From the Publisher:

Something fishy is going on in Crooked Creek Woods. Does it have anything to do with the weird lights coming from Ruthie’s neighbor’s yard? Or are the kids’ imaginations running away with them? After all, Jack and Ellison have been hard at work writing a mystery. The Tree Street Kids decide to investigate. Not only do they discover what’s been hidden for centuries in the woods, they also learn about placing their trust in the adults who love and care for them . . . but not before placing themselves in peril.

Leah’s Thoughts:

This is a great go-to Christian fiction series for kids ready for longer chapter books with more substance. My older boys flew through it. We read the first one aloud, and they read the rest on their own. Each book follows Jack and his group of neighborhood friends as they face real-life challenges, solve mysteries, and grow in friendship and faith.

The characters wrestle with everyday struggles like divorce, fear, and responsibility in ways that feel relatable and age-appropriate. There’s a clear Christian worldview throughout, but it’s woven in naturally and never feels preachy. It’s the kind of series that encourages kids to think deeply while still being fun and full of adventure.

*Note for parents: These books include some mild name-calling, crude humor, and realistic kid behavior like eye-rolling or sibling squabbles. There are brief references to topics such as puberty, ghosts, and Nazis, as well as a mention of Goosebumps books. I personally found them age-appropriate for 8–12 year olds and appreciated how the stories handled real-life situations with honesty and care.

Check out the whole series:

1. Jack vs. the Tornado
2. The Hunt for Fang
3. Lions to the Rescue
4. Mystery in the Crooked Creek Woods
5. The Beastie of Brambly Bald
6. Jack and the Red Giant