Eth Clifford has written over twenty books for children, some of which, like The Rocking Chair Rebellion, The Man Who Sang in the Dark, and Harvey's Marvelous Monkey Mystery, are currently out of print. Suggest to students that they look for these titles in the library. Mysteries are a popular reading choice with children, and Eth Clifford has written two mystery series. The Flatfoot Fox series introduces young readers to crackerjack animal detective Flatfoot Fox and his dim-witted sidekick Secretary Bird. Two sisters, Mary Rose and Jo-Beth Onetree, star in Clifford's five humorous mystery novels for middle grade readers.
Mysteries can be funny or scary.
Eth Clifford creates many believable, realistic characters. I'm a Prisoner in the Library. They are almost exact opposites in temperament and personality. Mary Rose, the older sibling, is practical, responsible, even-tempered, and very mature for her age. Jo-Beth is dramatic and highly imaginative, and the tension created by their opposing personalities is a source of much humor in the stories.