MARY CELESTE
Written with Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Roger Roth
Simon & Schuster 1999
ISBN# 0-689-81079-2 S&S hardcover |
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This book about an abandoned ship found adrift
in the ocean is the first in a series of true mysteries for kids.
I read adult mysteries (Evanovich, Cornwell, Grafton, to name
a few) at the rate of about 5 a week when I can get the time.
So when my mother approached me about doing these books, I was
nervous (it was a big commitment) and more than a little excited.
It may sound strange, but I love doing the research. I found that
I learned more doing this book than I did during some of my college
courses. While some stories my mother and I collaborate on we
can do over the internet by each writing a part and sending it
on for the next section, the Unsolved Mysteries from History series
we have to do in one place. My mother does the typing while I
hold the research notes and tease her because she types with five
fingers. This drives her nuts, but we do work very well together--I
even win some arguments! The second book in this series is The
Wolf Girls which is available as well in hardcover. The third
book in this series is about The Lost Colony of Roanoke; we have
just finished another round of editing and the illustrations look
FABULOUS! It will be coming out a soon. The fourth, about the
Salem Witch Trials is being illustrated as we speak. We are about
to begin research for number five--Amelia Earhart.
See what Jane
Yolen has to say about the book.
Available
in hardcover and paperback.
What reviewers have said:
"Fans of detective stories will be thrilled
to try their hands at solving this true historic mystery."
-- School Library Journal
"An intriguing book for history buffs,
mystery buffs, and classroom discussion." -- Booklist
"Young Sherlocks will be eager to set
sail on this team's next course" -- Publishers Weekly
This is a big and beautiful book with wonderful
illustrations." -- Maria Pereira - Children's Literature