TOO MANY SECRETS

Is there a burglar in Miss Beane's house? The elderly woman fell while investigating noises in her home, and is hospitalized. Nine-year-old Chad, who has always wanted a dog, is only too happy to take care of her Labrador retriever, Benson, while she recovers; a neighbor, Mrs. Keck, temporarily adopts Miss Beane's parrot, Baby. While searching Miss Beane's house for Benson's favorite toy, Chad and his friend Jeannie hear sounds and resolve to find out who the burglar is. Baby provides a clue, and Chad decides that the prowler is Cap Colby, an odd, older boy from the neighborhood. After all of the red herrings are disposed of, however, Cap helps Chad and Jeannie apprehend the real burglar. Wright (Haunted Summer, 1996, etc.) offers readers an intriguing mystery, an interesting subplot, and believable characters, but Benson steals every scene he's in. (Fiction. 7-11)