Shadows in the Glasshouse (American Girl History Mysteries)
Gr 4-6-Set in 1621, Shadows begins when 12-year-old Merry is kidnapped from London and forced to suffer a grueling journey by ship to the New World. Upon her arrival in the Jamestown settlement, she is promptly sold into indentured servitude and forced to work in a glasshouse. There, Merry works under the tutelage of kindly Franz, the master glassblower. A mystery ensues when someone begins to sabotage the operation and tries to steal the formula for cristallo, a valuable clear glass from Italy. The historical descriptions of Jamestown and especially glassblowing are detailed and lively enough to hold readers' interest. While the mystery element is somewhat predictable, it adds another level to the historical detail. "A Peek into the Past" section describes the era and includes appropriate photographs, reproductions, and drawings. A quick and fun read for those who have outgrown the "American Girls" books (Pleasant Company).-Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OHCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.