Who Broke Lincoln's Thumb?

Capital Mysteries #5

by Ron Roy, Timothy Bush (Illustrator)

Looking for the new cover? Go here!

It’s party time in Washington, D.C.! The president is planning a celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in honor of the man who sculpted the famous statue of Lincoln. But KC and Marshall notice one small problem—the left thumb has broken off the statue! Has someone stolen Lincoln’s thumb? Can KC and Marshall find it before the celebration begins?

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, 2nd Grade, Middle Grade, Young Adult

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Ron Roy has been writing books for children since 1974. He is the author of dozens of books, including the popular A to Z Mysteries®, Calendar Mysteries, and Capital Mysteries. When not working on a new book, Ron likes to teach tricks to his dog Pal, play poker with friends, travel, and read thrilling mystery books.

Reviews

[Amy]

Another fun read in the Capital Mysteries series -- this time the kids are after the person who broke Lincoln's thumb. Was it an accident or did somebody do it intentionally? Can they solve the case before the presentation at the Lincoln Memorial later in the day? Check out this book to see what happens!

[Mikayla Hubbard]

lemme tell you. No child would get an accurate depiction of what the president of the United States does from reading these books. wdym he’s spending the entire day trying to figure out what someone did to a landmark sculpture.

[Kim]

KC and Marshall have another mystery to solve, they need to find out who broke Lincoln's thumb before the president gives a speech for the ceremony.

KC is doing a report on Daniel Chester French for her school (the artist who sculpted the Lincoln Memorial). When she and Marshall get to the statue they notice Lincoln's thumb is broken off and missing. All that they have to go on is a red mark where the thumb should be. What left the mark there? Was it nail polish? A red frisbee plastic marking? Or a paint smudge from the bottom of a stilt? Will they solve the mystery on time?

This was a fun little mystery for our family to read together. We enjoyed learning about the history of the memorial and discussing and solving the crime.

[多奈]

630 L at https://hub.lexile.com

It’s interesting book but it’s not for me at all.
Basically trying to find the person who broke the thump.

It’s so hard to find the book that you truly enjoy sometimes but I’m okay with keep reading this series until library doesn’t have it _(:3 」∠)_

(Because I’m still trying to go back to lower level to overcome disléxica so that’s why＿|￣|○

[Mr.Zhou]

Brave and Clever kids. A good story.

[Tara]

This is another fun Washington DC mystery. I love all the details of the capitol in the mystery.

[Siddharth Gowtham]

TOP NOTCH

[Vidyuth Gowtham]

good

[Amber]

My kids loved it and always wanted "one more chapter". There were a few words I opted to skip over but otherwise the content is wholesome and it was a cute, clean mystery.

[Shankar B.]

I liked this because Kc and Marshall got cake during the celebration. 🎂 I liked the mystery.

[Kati]

It was fun to read but the end was a little disappointing

[Susan Forsgren]

Fascinating book to read with younger children, and talk about the breathtaking things
in Washinton D.C.

[Amara Tanith]

Who stole the thumb off the Lincoln Memorial?

When KC and Marshall discover a chunk missing from the Lincoln Memorial, they're in a rush to solve the mystery. It couldn't have happened at a worse time: tonight is the celebration of the sculptor, and the statue can't be broken!

With Who Broke Lincoln's Thumb, the Capital Mysteries series has officially established itself. Its focal point is one of the famous D.C. memorials, the Lincoln Memorial. So KC and Marshall's mystery can offer children an enjoyable reading experience while it offers their parents a chance to teach their children some history.

For children who live near D.C., a trip to the Lincoln Memorial would be a great idea. And of course, there's also the opportunity of further research into Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, slavery, and civil rights.

[Dolly]

This is a fun book in the Capital Mysteries series. We have read each one in the series to this point and have one more with us to read before we move to the area. We also plan to read the book, White House White-out, starring our old friends, Dick, Josh and Ruth Rose. Our girls are very excited about that one!

Anyway, this book was a fairly simple mystery and a quick read. It wasn't quite as far-fetched as a few of the other books, but the author certainly has a flair for drama. Our girls have enjoyed these books and I'm glad that they are learning a little bit about the historical sites in our soon-to-be home.

[Luke Ewell]

There is a party in DC in honor of Chester, who sculpted Lincoln. When they go, they find out Lincoln's thumb is broken and they only have four hours to find it. They have three suspects but don't know who broke it. They get a ransom note for ten thousand dollars. Can they find the thumb before the party or not?

[Caleb]

I liked it. Some national guard service people were testing the Lincoln Memorial and his thumb broke off and they thought it was someone else, but it wasn't. Until finally at the end, they got locked in the room and they had to get out by using a bunch of ladders hanging from the ceiling to get to the window and get the other people arrested.

[Marlee]

This book was okay. Both of my children (ages 10 and 7) enjoyed it. It was fast and it was easy to read. However, my children and I both found that many of the actions of the children were inappropriate. Some of the things also seemed too far-fetched to me, though that probably wouldn't occur to young readers.

[kristen]

Ron Roy's capital mysteries series is the perfect compliment to our 3rd grade study of national landmarks. My students can't get enough of these books which boosts class excitement about D.C.'s Memorials. Highly recommend.

[Kaytee]

KC AND MARSHALL WENT TO SEE LINCLNS STATHU BUT THEY SAW THAT HIS LEFT THUMB WAS GONE THEN THEY GOT LOCKED IN A DOOR BY THE CRIMENALS WHO TOOK THE FINGER THEN THEY GOT OUT AND THE CRIMANALS GOT ARRESTED

[Sydney]

when the president says that he is going to throw a party he decides that he wants it at lincoln memorial then kc and mitchell see a little problem licoln's thumb is missing.

[Sandybear76]

a good first mysery for kids.

[Anna Mooradian]

My least favorite part of the story was when a ransom note came!

[Andrea Labonte]

Who did break Lincoln's Thumb? Just read to find out what Marshall and KC are up to in this crime action kind of book.

[Morgan]

it was so good

[john]

i think is going to be interesting

[Johnspenser]

i think is going to be cool

[Sara]

Lots of good describing details.

[Miamu]

I want to read the book

[Payton]

Its about someone tried to sell Lincoln's thumb for money on the day where the president has to say his speach so KC and Marshall have to find the thumb before the President pays for it.

[Gina]

Finished 3/10/16