Mary Celeste: A Mystery from History
by Jane Yolen
Part of the Unsolved Mystery from History series. A true account of a ship named the Mary Celeste which was found abandoned 600 miles off the shores of Portugal in 1872. A crew of 10, including the captain’s wife and 2-year-old daughter, vanished without a trace leaving the ship and its contents undisturbed. The story is revealed by a young girl aspiring to be a detective who studies the clues from this “open” case and attempts to solve the disappearance. Her theory is never revealed and her hope is that the reader has devised his own theory. This intriguing story allows the reader the chance to study the clues and come up with a theory to explain this unsolved mystery. The text is accompanied by a “notebook” that provides additional information to help explain the circumstances as well as definitions to the sea terms and other unfamiliar words used. A time line and map show the progress of the Mary Celeste, and the six most popular theories of the time are examined. The illustrations are watercolor and pencil and clearly enhance the story by graphically explaining any questions the reader may have concerning the account. The text and illustrations work beautifully together. Includes a bibliography for further reading. This would be a great read-aloud and discussion starter. Although it has a picture book format, this book would be of interest to children in grades 2-5.
by Jane Yolen
Part of the Unsolved Mystery from History series. A true account of a ship named the Mary Celeste which was found abandoned 600 miles off the shores of Portugal in 1872. A crew of 10, including the captain’s wife and 2-year-old daughter, vanished without a trace leaving the ship and its contents undisturbed. The story is revealed by a young girl aspiring to be a detective who studies the clues from this “open” case and attempts to solve the disappearance. Her theory is never revealed and her hope is that the reader has devised his own theory. This intriguing story allows the reader the chance to study the clues and come up with a theory to explain this unsolved mystery. The text is accompanied by a “notebook” that provides additional information to help explain the circumstances as well as definitions to the sea terms and other unfamiliar words used. A time line and map show the progress of the Mary Celeste, and the six most popular theories of the time are examined. The illustrations are watercolor and pencil and clearly enhance the story by graphically explaining any questions the reader may have concerning the account. The text and illustrations work beautifully together. Includes a bibliography for further reading. This would be a great read-aloud and discussion starter. Although it has a picture book format, this book would be of interest to children in grades 2-5.