Secrets on 26th Street (American Girl History Mysteries) [Paperback]

Elizabeth McDavid Jones (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Series: American Girl History Mysteries

In New York City in 1914, eleven-year-old Susan encounters a mystery through an independent-minded female boarder and becomes involved in the growing suffrage movement.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Strong female characters and a cohesive plot weave their way between fact and fiction to create an interesting story set in New York City in 1914. Unknown to Susan O'Neal, her widowed mother's new English boarder is a suffragette who has come to organize the neighborhood. Susan slowly becomes aware that Bea is hiding something, and grows suspicious of this woman with whom she has formed a close bond. When her mother disappears, the girl suspects that Bea knows more than she'll admit and demands some answers. She then learns that her mother has become involved in the movement and was arrested during a demonstration that turned riotous. The author's description of the city in the early 1900s accurately shows the hardships endured. Main and secondary characters are believable individuals reacting to situations in a consistent manner as they strive to better their situations. They move within the framework of the plot, interacting with one another, relying on their common sense to help them through a difficult time. Bea's political struggle and the lies she must create in order to continue her work compete with her love for Susan, who wants to know the truth. The author does an excellent job of maintaining a heightened sense of suspense throughout the story. The inclusion of historical information regarding the suffragist movement is an added bonus to this entertaining story.
Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: American Girl (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562477609
• ISBN-13: 978-1562477608
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,172,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Very Good History Mystery, March 15, 2001

By 

AntiochAndy "antiochandy" (Antioch, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Secrets on 26th Street (American Girl History Mysteries) (Paperback)

This is another very good entry in the "history mystery" series. I've seen it called the best one, although my daughter didn't like it quite as much as "The Smuggler's Treasure" or "Shadows In The Glasshouse". She connected emotionally with Susan, the 11-year-old girl who is the main character, and with the other people in the story. Much of the plot, however, is connected with the women's suffrage movement, which is perhaps a bit difficult for a 21st century ten-year-old to relate to.

"Secrets On 26th Street" takes place in New York in 1914. Susan's widowed mother takes a boarder into their small apartment to help pay the rent. It soon becomes apparent to Susan that there is more to Bea than meets the eye. When Susan's mother mysteriously disappears, Susan is convinced that Bea knows more than she is telling.

This is another good story for young girls. It has an good plot and engaging characters. Informative historical background information is woven in, as well. The historical information is dwelt on a bit too much in this particular book, but overall it is another solid entry in an excellent series. Recommended highly to kids and their parents.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a 9 year old girls review, November 13, 2007

By 

Carolyn M. Pote "Sami" (Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets on 26th Street (American Girl History Mysteries) (Hardcover)

This is a interesting book about a girl having to grow up the rest of her life with out her mom. I reelly enjoyed the book. Bea, the maid is hiding something from her and she really wants to know. She starts searching, and she found something she did not like to see. If you want more read the book, it is a great read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Stephanie's review, June 3, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Secrets on 26th Street (American Girl History Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The book "Secrets on 26th Street" is a great book for people who want suspense and great detail in their mystery books. This book is in the time period where suffragists fought for womens rights, which makes the mystery much more interesting to read giving some information of the past while drawing you into the mystery!
The mystery will take a long time to unfold, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat in every chapter you read. So enjoy this book because I'm sure you will be excited after you read "Secrets on 26th Street."