Shadows in the Glasshouse (American Girl History Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Megan McDonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000 | Age Level: 10 and up | Series: American Girl History Mysteries (Book 10)

While working as an indentured servant for a Jamestown glassmaker in 1621, twelve-year-old Merry uncovers a case of sabotage.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 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, OH
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 131 pages
• Publisher: American Girl; 1st edition (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584850930
• ISBN-13: 978-1584850939
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,459,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

10. The first book I ever wrote was about a hermit crab, inspired by a pet I once owned.

9. My favorite color is purple.

8. I love to read mysteries. When I was Judy's age, I read all 56 classic Nancy Drew books . . . in order! Jeepers!

7. I used to collect scabs so I could examine them under the microscope that I got for my 8th birthday.

6. My four sisters and I often made up our own language, which included the words "Hoidi Boidi", "oogey", "retzel crummypuss" and "poony-poony".

5. My favorite TV show is JEOPARDY!

4. To research my Sisters Club book, THE RULE OF THREE, I toured San Francisco in search of the ultimate cupcake. The winner: Sleepless in San Francisco. Think chocolate + coffee.

3. When I was a kid, I fell down a hill from chasing the ice-cream truck and had to get stitches.

2. When I was a librarian, I used to tell stories in sign language. That's how I got the expression "same-same" for Judy.

1. I share a birthday (February 28) with a famous princess, race car driver and gangster, a Rolling Stone, a French tightrope walker, and a winning racehorse named Smarty Jones.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A young indentured servant girl in 1621 discovers a mystery., September 16, 2000

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadows in the Glasshouse (American Girl History Mysteries) (Paperback)

In the six years since their parents died, twelve-year-old Merry Shipman and her older sister Margaret have had to survive on their own, which isn't easy in 1621 London. One day by the docks, Merry is kidnapped and taken aboard a ship bound for the Jamestown settlement, in the New World, where she will be forced to work as an indentured servant, which is little better than a slave. The sea voyage lasts three long, miserable months. Merry is both relieved and frightened to finally arrive in Virginia. Her five-year contract is purchased by the owner of the glasshouse. Although she is miserable and misses her sister, Merry enjoys watching the glass being made and is befriended by one of the apprentinces. But someone is sabotaging rhe work, and the chief suspect is Merrie's only friend. Merrie is determined to find the real culprit before it is too late. I highly reccomend this book to readers who enjoyed the other books in the History Mysteries series. Merrie was a brave and resourceful character, and I was cheering for her as she attempted to solve the mystery at the glasshouse.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Clear Winner, March 9, 2001

By 

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shadows in the Glasshouse (American Girl History Mysteries) (Paperback)

This is the fourth "history mystery" that my daughter and I have shared. She has been looking forward to our reading time each night since we began them. It is also like this when we read Harry Potter, but has not always been the case with other things we've read together, so I think it's safe to say that she enjoys these stories a lot. She says this one is her "second favorite" of those we've read so far (The Smuggler's Treasure is her favorite), but they've all been good.

This one starts out with Merrie Shipman aboard ship, bound for the Jamestown colony in 1621. She and her older sister were orphans struggling to survive on their own in London when she was kidnapped and put on the ship. During the voyage, she makes friends with Angelo, a glassblower's apprentice. When they reach Jamestown, Merrie is sold into indentured servitude. Fortunately, it is the owner of the glasshouse who has her contract, so she gets to work at the glasshouse with her friend. Trouble ensues when some notes relating to a new glassmaking formula are stolen from Angelo and work at the glasshouse is sabotaged.

The storyline may be a bit predictable in its outcome, but it is plenty engaging for the 9 to 12 year-old audience it is written for. It also gives kids a good insight into the early colonial period. Indentured servitude, the hardships of sailing across the Atlantic, and the difficulties and opportunities of life in the New World are vividly portrayed. Readers even learn about "tobacco brides", which was something new to me, too. Finally, Merrie is a courageous young girl, who takes risks to protect her friend and bring about a just outcome.

The "history mystery" series is a good one for kids. This particular story will not disappoint. Highly recommended to kids and their parents.

1.0 out of 5 stars Sad book for kids, September 2, 2011

By 

Sharon "csk4j" (MIDLOTHIAN, TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadows in the Glasshouse (American Girl History Mysteries) (Paperback)

It is a shame this book is geared for young children since it is so macabre. If your elementary aged kid wants to read about kidnapping, terror, depression, murder, and capital punishment, then read this book. Put "American Girl" on it and then you find it in the classroom.