A Murder for Her Majesty

 

Hilgartner, Beth. A Murder for Her Majesty. Houghten Mifflin, 1986 ISBN:  0395414512

This book was utterly enjoyable. The characters were likable and had believable traits. A good mixture of action, scene-setting, and dialogue kept the pages turning.

In some respects, it was reminiscent of "The Five Little Peppers" by Sidney or "Eight Cousins" by Alcott in that it dealt with poverty, generosity during hard times, takes place in a historical setting, and features rambunctious boys.

Some of the vocabulary will be over the head of anyone not familiar with Catholicism, as nearly the entire story is set inside a cathedral, rotating around the daily activities of a boys' choir. But any unknown words are easy to understand contextually, and should be beneficial to young readers.

I love when a book gives you a good feeling at the end. This one did not disappoint. 

Mysterious Encounters: The Bermuda Triangle

Duffield, Katy S. Mysterious Encounters: The Bermuda Triangle. Kidhaven Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-7377-4046-2

Ships and planes disappearing without a trace. Ships being found, adrift, with partially eaten food on the table and toys on the ground but the entire captain, crew and passengers missing. A strange fog that suddenly overtakes pilots and captains, messing with their electronic devices and compasses so that they are left completely without navigation...these are ALL mysterious encounters people reported having while inside the infamous Bermuda Triangle. Duffield discusses theories, reprints stories and includes ample photographs for this exciting, somewhat scientific look at a modern-day mystery.