By Theresa-Marie Wilson

Will two young detectives save the day and help their local basketball team make it to the courts in time for the big game?
The answer to that question can only be found in the colorfully illustrated children’s book The Mystery of the Lost Uniforms written by Pismo Beach resident Jerome Jones.
This is the second book by Jones featuring brother and sister team Abby and Tommy, two children who live in a small beach town called Pismo. Both books are geared toward elementary school-aged children.
In this adventure, the youngsters meet new people in their community and end up at the local radio station and share their mystery solving adventures live on air.
The quest begins while they are on the radio and learn that the local high school coach needs some help. Soon, they are on the case to help Coach Hill, the Pismo High School basketball coach, find the team’s uniforms before the back-to-school basketball jam.
“Kids loved the first one, so I decided to write a second one,” Jones said. “I really want to get kids to enjoy reading. I have a background in teaching and in coaching, and I enjoy the elementary education atmosphere. I just wanted to write books for that age group that kids would enjoy.”
Jones said the book is more than a mystery for budding detectives; it gives readers a tool they can use throughout their lives.
“If you work together you can basically solve any problem or issue,” said Jones. “It also promotes nutrition, fitness and exercise in general.”
Jones’ 2013 book, The Mystery of The Lost Recipe, tells the tale Tommy and Abby discovering that the Orange Surf Restaurant in their hometown of Pismo has lost their lasagna recipe and without it the diners will be very disappointed. They decide to take the case and help the owner, Mr. Nut, solve the mystery.
“It sold over 400 copies, that’s not bad,” said Jones who is hopes the new book would also boost sales of the first one. “Kids love these books. They enjoy the pictures and the whole mystery and exercise concept. The best thing about it is that it encourages kids to read. It is an entertaining adventurous storyline, and it is fun to see them happy while they are reading.”
Both The Mystery of the Lost Uniforms and The Mystery of the Lost Recipe are hardcover books that retails for $14.95 each. They can be purchased at amazon.com, mascotbooks.com barnesandnoble.com or purchased using Paypal on Facebook.com/mysteryrecipebook. They can also be purchased in person at Buttons and Bows in the Village of Arroyo Grande. There is also a copy of The Mystery of the Lost Uniforms at the Shell Beach Library.
For more information, visit www.healthykidspublishing.com where a discount is offered for the purchase of both books in one order.