Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-The first book is set in New Orleans in the 1850s. Marie-Grace meets Wilhelmina Newman, a girl her age, on a steamboat traveling up the Mississippi River. Wilhelmina's father has left her clues to find the gold that he hid on the boat, and, while the girls work together to decode the secret messages they learn that they aren't the only ones trying to find it. Also set in New Orleans in the 1850s is The Cameo Necklace. Cecile discovers after being caught in a crowd leaving a show that the precious diamond necklace that she borrowed from her aunt is missing. In her search to find it, she discovers hidden corners of New Orleans and secrets she never imagined. In The Crystal Ball, set in 1914, Rebecca takes over the care of Mr. Rossi's pigeons after he hurts his wrist. She finds a strange black pigeon carrying a warning message of danger. Is the girl in peril along with Mr. Rossi? She visits a fortune-teller to find out. Fans of the "American Girl" series will enjoy these historical mysteries.-Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Cicile, a "free person of color," searches her city of New Orleans for a lost necklace and learns about "maroons" (escaped slaves living in the Louisiana swamps), circus life, and more. Coleman ably evokes the novel's 1854 New Orleans setting and Cicile's perspective is interesting, but the narrative tries too hard to incorporate history. A historical note and French pronunciation guide are included. Glos. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
