The Stolen Sapphire: A Samantha Mystery (American Girl Mysteries) [Library Binding]

Sarah Masters Buckey (Author), Jeanpaul Tibbles (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2008 | Series: American Girl Mysteries

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Samantha and Nellie set sail for Europe in 1906. Also aboard the ship is a world-famous archaeologist and the legendary sapphire he is taking to a London museum. When the priceless jewel disappears, Samantha realizes all the first-class passengers are su

--This text refers to an alternate Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-This mystery set in the early 1900s has vivid descriptions of clothing and finery, stilted dialogue, and a heavy-handed but well-meaning lesson. Samantha and her adopted sister, Nellie, join their grandparents on an ocean-liner voyage to Europe. When fellow passenger and archaeologist Fitzwilliam Wharton discovers that the legendary Blue Star sapphire he was carrying to a museum in London has gone missing during dinner, everyone traveling first class becomes a suspect-including the girls' French tutor. While Samantha and Nellie frantically try to prove her innocence, a subplot finds Nellie struggling with the prejudices of the day toward the Irish. In the end, the girls solve the mystery and everyone learns a valuable lesson about jumping to conclusions. Interesting endnotes about ocean travel at the beginning of the 20th century and a description of three famous gems round out the enticing package. While the American Girl fervor has certainly died down, this title is sure to find an audience in most libraries.-Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 181 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439510865
• ISBN-13: 978-1439510865
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,552,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good enough for school, January 8, 2007

By 

swittich "sw" (CINCINNATI, OHIO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stolen Sapphire: A Samantha Mystery (American Girl) (American Girl Mysteries) (Paperback)

I read this book and so did the head of the school library. The library accepted this book as a test book for reading awards and the girls age 8 to 12 enjoyed it..

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It will take you on an adventure!, July 23, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Stolen Sapphire: A Samantha Mystery (American Girl) (American Girl Mysteries) (Paperback)

If you like mysteries you'll love this book! samantha & nellie

are 2 girls how lived in the 1900's. my favorite part was

when samantha & nellie found who stole the sapphire ...but that I

will not tell you. I have another american girl mystery and I look forward to reading

it!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intrepid high seas adventure...!, November 30, 2006

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Stolen Sapphire: A Samantha Mystery (American Girl) (American Girl Mysteries) (Paperback)

The year is 1906, and eleven-year-old Samantha Parkington, along with her adopted sister Nellie, are thrilled to have the opportunity to board the R.M.S. Queen Caroline with their grandparents, the Admiral and Grandmary, on a trip to Europe, where they will dock in London and Paris. They are even more excited, however, when they learn that Professor Wharton, a world-famous archeologist, along with his pet monkey, Plato, are among the passengers whom they will be dining with, and that he has brought with him the legendary sapphire known as the Blue Star. The first-class passengers are thrilled to have such a priceless artifact on-board the Queen Caroline with them, and love to hear the Professor tell of its history - from how it was once buried in a graveyard, to how it belonged to merchants and kings in the old days. But when the illustrious sapphire disappears one night at dinner, Samantha is shocked to learn that everyone on deck is being questioned as a suspect. Soon, Mademoiselle Etienne, Samantha and Nellie's traveling French tutor, is accused of the crime, and separated from her students. Nellie knows that Mademoiselle Etienne is innocent of the crime; and, with Samantha's help, plans on discovering who the true culprit is. But as the seas turn rough, Samantha and Nellie discover that solving a mystery isn't as simple as they originally thought, and if they aren't careful, they may be blamed for the crime before the true thief is imprisoned.

Samantha Parkington's adventures have always been exciting to experience. However, with THE STOLEN SAPPHIRE, Sarah Masters Buckey has managed to incorporate a strong sense of suspense into the tale that both brings the characters to life, and leaves the reader trying to put together various clues in an attempt to find the culprit before our two heroines. Samantha, as always, is her usual kind self. However, die-hard fans will be surprised to see her acting slightly distrustful to the people she cares about throughout the story. Nellie, on the other hand, also takes on a slightly different personality, as she begins sneaking about, and hiding things from her beloved sister. However, it is the two girls interactions with the snobby Charlotta Billingsley, along with her dreadfully proper and jewel-loving mother, Mrs. Billingsley, that will leave readers rooting for the two protagonists, as they defend themselves against various rude accusations, and comments made by the gruesome twosome. An intrepid high seas adventure that proves everyone is innocent until proven guilty!

Erika Sorocco