Hello!
My name is Steve Reifman, and I am a National Board Certified elementary school teacher, author, and speaker in Santa Monica, CA.
SteveReifman.com is a resource for elementary school teachers and parents. My mission is to teach the whole child—empowering students to succeed academically, build strong character, learn valuable work habits and social skills, and take charge of their health and wellness.
Blog
Discover over 100 posts filled with teaching tips, links to YouTube videos, and other useful ideas and strategies for teaching the whole child.
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Teaching Resources
Explore these print books, e-books, courses, and other resources that offer effective, proven ideas and strategies that improve student learning.
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Chase Manning Mystery Series
Each book in this award-winning mystery series for kids 8-12 features a single-day, real-time thriller that takes place on an elementary school campus.
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Workshops
Looking for a presenter for your next conference or workshop? Check out these engaging, innovative sessions that address a wide variety of topics.
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Chase to the Finish
Synopsis
The last day of the school year could also mark the end of Mrs. Kennedy’s 27-year teaching career, if she raises the rest of the money she needs to buy her Lake Eden dream house. When former student Brian Kelly gives her a $10,000 check early that morning, confidence is high—until the gift turns up missing hours before her deadline to make the down payment. Fifth-grader Chase Manning needs to work quickly to save the day for his favorite teacher. Suspense, drama, and excitement overflow from the pages of this single-day, real-time mystery thriller.
About the Chase Manning Mystery Series
The Chase Manning Mystery Series features single-day, real-time thrillers that occur on an elementary school campus. Written for readers 8-12 years of age by National Board Certified Teacher Steve Reifman, the series launched with the award-winning Chase Against Time, in which fifth grader Chase Manning must investigate the mysterious disappearance of the cello that the school plans to auction off to save its prestigious music program. Chase Against Time and its sequels, Chase for Home and Chase Under Pressure have enjoyed rave reviews from children, parents, and teachers. Young readers love the books' fast-paced, action-packed format while parents and teachers appreciate the kid-friendly tone and content. Chase is now back in the eagerly anticipated fourth installment, Chase to the Finish.
Note for Elementary School Teachers and Parents
Chase Against Time, Chase for Home, Chase Under Pressure and Chase to the Finish are Level Q on the Fountas & Pinnell scale. All four books are ideally suited to be used as read alouds and mentor texts during Reading Workshop units on mystery and “edge-of-seat” fiction because they include numerous examples of end-of-chapter cliffhangers, red herrings, suspects, motives, and other important mystery elements. If you are interested in teaching children how to craft their own mysteries, check out Steve’s e-book, The Ultimate Mystery Writing Guide for Kids.
What Readers Are Saying
- “Captures readers and pulls them in.” -Walter M.
- “I couldn't stop reading!” -Lincoln J.
- “This is the best Chase mystery yet! The tension keeps on mounting.” -Petra P.
- “Cliffhangers, humor, and perfect elaboration. Chase Manning has EVERYTHING a good book should have.” -Sadie H.
- “My mind was racing.” -Griffin S.
- “So many exciting twists and turns! Another amazing installment in the Chase Manning series. I could not out the book down until I was finished.” -Aiden L.
- “A great mystery.” -Aerin D.
- “Chase Manning books are the best.” -Samantha F.
- “I loved it.” -Elsie L.
- “If you like suspenseful and thrilling books, this is the book to read.” -Dylan N.
- “Intense and funny.” -Danielle Lopez
Book Talks & Book Signing Events
Steve has held many Book Talk and Book Signing Events at public libraries, elementary schools, and private homes since the release of Chase Against Time; During these 30-45 minute book talks, Steve describes the process of writing his mystery books, shares his original notes and outlines, encourages children to pursue their own writing projects, offers instructional strategies and suggestions, and concludes with a question and answer period. Steve is also available for classroom Skype visits. To arrange an event, please e-mail Steve.
Chase Manning Mystery Series: The Sequels
After 5th grader Chase Manning puts it all on the line to save Apple Valley’s award-winning music program in Chase Against Time, life begins to slow down a bit - for a while. Several weeks later he’s pressed into action once again in Chase For Home when the boy discovers his lucky batting glove has been stolen the morning of his team’s big playoff baseball game. A few weeks after that in Chase Under Pressure, Manning must locate Dash, the school’s racing hamster, after the speedster mysteriously disappears on the day of the state competition. In these sequels readers can expect the same single-day, real-time excitement and suspense they first encountered in Chase Against Time, along with some new characters and plenty of twists and turns around every corner.
Chase For Home Synopsis
Riding high in the Spring of his 5th grade year, Chase Manning joins the Apple Valley baseball team, and his clutch hitting leads the squad to within two victories of the school’s first ever league championship. Confidence is high - until Chase’s lucky batting glove turns up missing the day of the semifinal game. Unsure whether the theft represents an attempt to derail the baseball team as a whole or a personal attack against him, Chase must track down the culprit and find the glove before the team boards the bus at 3 o’clock. Surprising and suspense-filled plot twists fill the pages of this single-day, real-time mystery thriller.
If you wish to be notified when Chase For Home is released, please click here or please e-mail Steve at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (whichever option you think is best)
Chase Under Pressure Synopsis
With huge prizes on the line at the state hamster competition, the Apple Valley Elementary science club has been working overtime to prepare for the big race. Dash, the school’s little speedster, is in the best shape of her life, and confidence is high - until the hamster turns up missing the morning of the event. 5th grader Chase Manning must overcome an unsupportive principal, the visiting members of a rival school, and even his own teammates to identify the thief and find Dash before the competition begins right after school. Expect the unexpected on the pages of this single-day, real-time mystery thriller.
Chase Against Time
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“A fun mystery with a likable main character and a lot of red herrings.”
-School Library Journal
Awards
• Silver Medal, Moonbeam Children's Book Awards, Juvenile Mystery Category
• Mom's Choice Award Winner
Synopsis
In a last-ditch effort to save Apple Valley Elementary's award-winning music program from looming budget cuts, the PTA plans to auction off a recently-donated, handcrafted cello at the school’s annual fund-raising dinner. Confidence is high—until the cello turns up missing the morning of the event. The school principal charges Chase Manning, a fifth grader who has dreamed of playing in the Sixth Grade Honors Orchestra his whole life, with finding the cello by three o'clock. Each hour of the school day involves surprising and suspense-filled plot turns as Chase pursues the elusive cello. This single-day, real-time mystery thriller truly is a Chase against time!
About the Chase Manning Mystery Series
The Chase Manning Mystery Series features single-day, real-time thrillers that occur on an elementary school campus. Written for readers 8-12 years of age by National Board Certified Teacher Steve Reifman, the series launched with the award-winning Chase Against Time, in which fifth grader Chase Manning must investigate the mysterious disappearance of the cello that the school plans to auction off to save its prestigious music program. Chase Against Time has enjoyed rave reviews from children, parents, and teachers. Young readers love the book’s fast-paced, action-packed format while parents and teachers appreciate the book’s kid-friendly tone and content. Chase is now back in the eagerly anticipated sequel, Chase for Home.
Note for Elementary School Teachers and Parents
Chase Against Time and Chase for Home are Level Q on the Fountas & Pinnell scale. Both books are ideally suited to be used as read alouds and mentor texts during Reading Workshop units on mystery and “edge-of-seat” fiction because they include numerous examples of end-of-chapter cliffhangers, red herrings, suspects, motives, and other important mystery elements. If you are interested in teaching children how to craft their own mysteries, check out Steve’s e-book, The Ultimate Mystery Writing Guide for Kids.
What Readers Are Saying
- “Chase Against Time is the most thrilling, exciting story I have ever read. I couldn't put the book down because I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. I highly recommend it for children who like mystery adventures.”
- “This mystery story's setting, is easy to relate to, as it takes place in a school. Kids everywhere will not be able to put down this page turning story about a fifth grader at Apple Valley Elementary School who investigates the mysterious disappearance of a cello that was to be sold at an auction to save the school's music program. Can't wait until the next book in the Chase Manning series!”
- “Stunning cliffhangers.”
- “I loved Chase Against Time. The characters in the book have strong personalities, and it really kept me guessing all the way to the end. I would highly recommend this book.”
- “Think '24' for kids. As a teacher myself, I will say kids will be immediately taken to this. A number of kids in my own classroom have read it and read it again. They won't put it down! Steve Reifman has just begun and I will definitely be adding each book in the Chase Against Time series to my own classroom library. Check out his other books. He, too, is a teacher and has a great book on teaching.”
- “I was nine when I first read this book and it was one of the best books I read in third grade. The cliffhangers really made me wonder what was going to happen next and I liked how each chapter started with what time it was. I would recommend this book to second graders to sixth graders.”
- “This book will keep kids reading. Definitely recommend as a gift.”
- “What a page turner. I couldn't wait to find out the ending.”
- “Reifman has done a great job thrilling the reader with a fast-paced, captivating 'whodunit' at the same time he creates an essential moral center. Entertain 'em and educate 'em all at the same time. J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter re-ignited the notion that kids will read. Books like ‘Chase’ will keep passing the torch.”
- “This book is really amazing! I really appreciate how many details there are! Chase Against Time is a great read!”
- “I finished Chase Against Time yesterday. It was an AWESOME book! I can't WAIT to read your next book!!!"
- “Just finished Chase Against Time (in one sitting, of course) and thoroughly enjoyed it. A wonderful first book. Found the main character very appealing, a must for success.”
- “The story is fabulous...An ideal read-aloud.”
- “Loved your book, Steve---a real page turner!!”
Book Talks & Book Signing Events
Steve has held many Book Talk and Book Signing Events at public libraries, elementary schools, and private homes since the release of Chase Against Time; During these 30-45 minute book talks, Steve describes the process of writing his mystery books, shares his original notes and outlines, encourages children to pursue their own writing projects, offers instructional strategies and suggestions, and concludes with a question and answer period. Steve is also available for classroom Skype visits. To arrange an event, please e-mail Steve.
Chase For Home
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Synopsis
Riding high in the Spring of his 5th grade year, Chase Manning joins the Apple Valley baseball team, and his clutch hitting leads the squad to within two victories of the school’s first ever league championship. Confidence is high—until Chase’s lucky batting glove turns up missing the day of the semifinal game. Unsure whether the theft represents an attempt to derail the baseball team as a whole or a personal attack against him, Chase must track down the culprit and find the glove before the team boards the bus at three o’clock. Surprising and suspense-filled plot twists fill the pages of this single-day, real-time mystery thriller.
About the Chase Manning Mystery Series
The Chase Manning Mystery Series features single-day, real-time thrillers that occur on an elementary school campus. Written for readers 8-12 years of age by National Board Certified Teacher Steve Reifman, the series launched with the award-winning Chase Against Time, in which fifth grader Chase Manning must investigate the mysterious disappearance of the cello that the school plans to auction off to save its prestigious music program. Chase Against Time has enjoyed rave reviews from children, parents, and teachers. Young readers love the book’s fast-paced, action-packed format while parents and teachers appreciate the book’s kid-friendly tone and content. Chase is now back in the eagerly anticipated sequel, Chase for Home.Note for Elementary School Teachers and Parents
Chase Against Time and Chase for Home are Level Q on the Fountas & Pinnell scale. Both books are ideally suited to be used as read alouds and mentor texts during Reading Workshop units on mystery and “edge-of-seat” fiction because they include numerous examples of end-of-chapter cliffhangers, red herrings, suspects, motives, and other important mystery elements. If you are interested in teaching children how to craft their own mysteries, check out Steve’s e-book, The Ultimate Mystery Writing Guide for Kids.
What Readers Are Saying
- "Reifman combines nail-biting suspense with great detail to create an amazing plot."-Kirun Cheung
- "I couldn't put the book down. I really admire how Chase stands up for himself." -Sara Cooper
- "A perfect book for both boys and girls of all ages." -Jenny Kean
- "This book made me think hard." -Ace McAfee
Book Talks & Book Signing Events
Steve has held many Book Talk and Book Signing Events at public libraries, elementary schools, and private homes since the release of Chase Against Time; During these 30-45 minute book talks, Steve describes the process of writing his mystery books, shares his original notes and outlines, encourages children to pursue their own writing projects, offers instructional strategies and suggestions, and concludes with a question and answer period. Steve is also available for classroom Skype visits. To arrange an event, please e-mail Steve.Featured Appearances:
