Gangsters at the Grand Atlantic [Turtleback]

Sarah Masters Buckey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

In 1925, after witnessing the violent actions of some gangsters, twelve-year-old Emily accompanies her older sister on a trip to a luxurious hotel on the New Jersey shore but worries that the gangsters have come to the same hotel. Includes historical notes on the time period.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. This adventure story from the History Mysteries series takes place in 1925. After 12-year-old Emily witnesses gangsters beating up a neighborhood store owner, she fears that they will come after her, as they have threatened. She accepts a timely invitation to join her sister for a week at a posh seaside hotel in New Jersey and feels relieved to think that she is leaving her troubles back in Philadelphia. However, a glimpse of one of the gangsters on the boardwalk alerts her to danger and leads her to enlist the help of a new friend. Gwen, who wears braces because of polio, proves a resourceful ally. Together, they spy on the gangster and plot his downfall. Buckey succeeds in telling a suspenseful story with a likable heroine while communicating a great deal about 1920s attitudes, class distinctions, social problems, and dress. Attractive crosshatched drawings appear at chapter heads.The appended nonfiction section, "Looking Back: 1925," offers information about the period, small photos, and a map. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606278435
• ISBN-13: 978-0606278430
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome, October 27, 2011

By 

sgate - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gangsters at the Grand Atlantic (American Girl History Mysteries) (Paperback)

Great service. The book came just as it was stated. It was in great condition and received earlier than expected.

5.0 out of 5 stars The best history mystery!!, March 15, 2009

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Gangsters at the Grand Atlantic (American Girl History Mysteries) (Paperback)

This is one of the best books that I have ever read. It is at least as good as my other favorite in this series, "The Strange Case of Baby H." It is unbelievably good. I love this series, and Sarah Masters Buckley did an excellent job on this book.

A 12-year-old girl named Emily and her 18-year-old sister Dorothy are invited to spend a week at Jersey Shore with Dorothy's friend Bitsy during the Roaring 20's. Beforehand, Emily witnesses the attack of the kindly storekeeper by two thugs, who work for "Mr. M," the evil gangster. She is excited to get away from the danger for a relaxing week at the beach.

But Emily is frightened when she thinks she sees Mr. M. at the humongous Grand Atlantic Hotel where she's staying. With her new friend Gwen, she uncovers a dangerous plot to smuggle illegal liquor into the area - and this plan also puts Dorothy in danger! Emily solves the mystery and prevents Dorothy from being killed by the thugs.

This book is so, so good. Everybody should read it!

4.0 out of 5 stars great book, January 20, 2008

By 

dx2etc "dx2etc2" (Longmeadow, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gangsters at the Grand Atlantic (American Girl History Mysteries) (Paperback)

My daughter is 15 and mostly reads the books in this series. This book was good and it takes place in an unusual time period. It's about 12-year-old Emily and her older sister who take a vacation to the New Jersey beaches and Emily suspects the gangsters she saw at home have followed her to their hotel. she meets a girl in a wheelchair named Gwen and they become friends.