Gr 13 The Mystery Incorporated Gang stars in five fun-filled Scooby-Doo mysteries that make up this collection of early reader stories: "The Haunted Diner," "Howling on the Playground," "The Race Car Monster," "Snack Snatcher," and "The Movie Star Mystery." Each story contains a separate mystery to be solved by Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, and their friends. For instance, in "The Haunted Diner," Scooby and the gang stop for a meal at a roadside diner when the lights suddenly go out, and Scooby and Shaggy hear a spooky moan that sounds like a monster. In "The Race Car Monster," Scooby and Shaggy encounter a creepy monster at the racetrack. Readers will be entertained by Scooby's and Shaggy's hilarious reactions to the various monsters they encounter. This volume of stories is a Step 2 in the "Step into Reading" series that includes simple text for beginning readers. The text is in a large font and is occasionally highlighted within a box so that it is clear and accessible for young readers. Bright and colorful illustrations enhance the story and directly reflect the text, giving new readers additional context for the story. Readers will particularly enjoy Scooby's and Shaggy's expressions as they encounter the creepy elements in each story. Adults nostalgic from watching the cartoons will enjoy sharing these stories with their young readers, as the illustrations directly match the animated cartoons. VERDICT An excellent addition to early reader collections. V. Lynn Christiansen