GCE Minute Mysteries · Mystery #1
The Case of the Missing Blue Ribbon
Read carefully. Every detail matters. Can you solve it before the detective explains?
It was the afternoon of the Maple Street Library Science Fair. At 3:30 p.m., the judges pinned the first-place blue ribbon to Maya’s baking-soda volcano. Then everyone went to the gym for cookies.
At 4:15, Maya came back to pack up her project. The blue ribbon was gone!
Detective Jones asked three students where they had been between 3:30 and 4:15.
Owen said, “I was in the reading room finishing my book the whole time.” The librarian remembered stamping Owen’s book at about 3:50.
Leo said, “I was in the gym helping Mr. Carter stack chairs.” His shirt was covered in dust, and Mr. Carter said Leo was a big help.
Priya, whose rock collection won second place, said, “I walked past the judges’ table at exactly 4:00. The ribbon was still there. I remember because it was sparkling in the sunshine coming through the big east window.”
Detective Jones smiled. “I know who has the ribbon.”
Who took the ribbon, and how did the detective know?
Think it through
- Which clue sounds important but doesn’t really prove anything?
- Does anyone’s story have a detail that can’t be true?
- Write down who you think it is and the ONE clue that proves it. Bring your answer to class!
Detective tip: check every detail in a story against what you already know about how the world works.