Night Fliers

Night Fliers is another American Girl History Mystery, this time written by Elizabeth McDavid Jones. 

"When Pam's homing pigeons disappear while her father's away fighting in World War I, she uncovers evidence of an enemy spy."

General Thoughts: It was alright. Not a favorite thought, because  I didn't much care for the characters. 

Plot and Themes: The plot wasn't something that I got really excited about. Taking place in the 1910's and worrying about pigeon carriers... maybe it's because my brain was too modern while read this, but I didn't care. Possibly because it's "so old fashioned," maybe to modern old fashioned as opposed to the preferred "old old fashioned." It could also be that the "German spy" that everyone was so worried about wasn't as believable as it maybe should be. And the fact that they were stealing pigeons as the big mystery was kind of lame. I don't care about pigeons and don't recall there ever being a majorly important time in WWI where they saved the day, I could very well be wrong on that though.

Setting: I do remember bits of the setting, but nothing that really struck me as engaging or keeping me engrossed in the story. Which is rather disappointing. 

Characters: Pam and the other's, whom I honestly can't remember, weren't all that memorable. Some of what happened, sure, but not much. I didn't care about them. Pam also didn't grow in any big way I think. Maybe, don't judge a book by it's cover? Maybe that the bad guys can be closer to home instead of in a neighbors backyard? I don't know. I felt like she was stagnant.  

Spice: 0/5 Spicy Chilis. It is a children's book and she seemed more upset throughout the story more than anything. 10 year old's shouldn't have romances yet. 

Writing Style: I remember nothing particularly interesting in the writing style. I felt let down by much of this book in general. 

Overall: I didn't care for the characters, setting, or plot of this book. It was very much a let down especially after reading the other two books in the series previously. I would have liked a story where I cared about the things that were going on. Maybe about a girl who... was able to help out in the war effort in a way that I cared about. Pigeons don't seem that important and I'm sure there was something else that could have worked better. The fact that I didn't care about the characters, even if it was just Pam, is a big red flag in my opinion. If I don't care for the main character, I'm not going to like the book. In the end, I probably won't read it again for a very long time, but it's there as part of the collection. 

Hoofbeats of Danger

 

An American Girl History Mystery, Hoofbeats of Danger by Holly Hughes. 

"In 1860, eleven-year-old Annie asks Pony Express rider Billy Cody to help her find the person responsible for sabotaging her favorite pony Magpie."

General Thoughts: I really liked this book. It is easily one of my favorite History Mystery books.  

Plot: I liked how because Annie pays attention to the job she does and loves, she is able to figure out what is going on to save her families Waystop. And because she is a reliable and honest girl she gets the people around her to listen to her and save the day. I also really liked how they got Billy "Buffalo Bill" Cody to be present while he was a Pony Express Rider. 

Theme: It seemed the theme that I recall was to stand up for yourself even if you are a small girl vs a large angry man. She let her voice be heard and solved the mystery because of it. 

Setting: I really enjoy a good historical or fantasy setting. This story was more into the mystery side of things as opposed to the environment, but when you're surrounded by prairie grass, it's understandable that Holly Hughes didn't spend to much time on describing the barn, hills, or small house in the middle of no where. The setting that was given did it's job and wasn't jarring or cast me out of the story. 

Characters: I particularly liked Annie Dawson and Billy Cody. They were kind and made a good team, her the brains and him the brawn in order to save the day. He was portrayed here as a nice guy who was willing to help a girl out, which seems to be the case Annie (haha) Oakley. They were fun and memorable characters. 

Spice: 0/5 Spicy Chilis. It's a children's book. Why would you be looking for that here?

Writing Style: I recall it being fairly good. Nothing too spectacular for a modern child audience, but good enough that I enjoyed it as an adult realizing it's a children's book. 

Overall: Like many of the other books in this series, I'd read it again. If you're a horse lover, wanting to step into the Wild West, or just wanting a simple but good mystery, give it a try. 

The Smuggler's Treasure

 The Smugglers Treasure is an American Girl: History Mystery written by Sarah Masters Buckley.

"Sent to live with relatives in New Orleans during the War of 1812, eleven-year-old Elisabet determines to find a smuggler's treasure to ransom her imprisoned father."

General Thoughts: I was given a set of History Mystery books when I was a preteen and enjoyed this one. I wasn't much into reading so I didn't read many of the other books in this American Girl Series, but one can always go back and find a good book. I enjoyed the adventure part of this book and the fact that I hadn't read much in the way of historical books before and I've found that it still holds up pretty well. 

Plot: Elisabet's adventure in a new city, with new people, doing a job at her families bakery with busy, noisy customers, and seeing the differences between what she was as a pampered little girl (like some that she serves) and the waitress that she's become was fun to watch. It's amazing what hard labor will do when you have choice. What getting up early to do the job your assigned can do to change people's attitudes. I enjoyed the growth that Elisabet had throughout the course of the story. She does gain a friend who helps her on her adventure with potential ghosts and thieves and pirates. The treasure hunt and figuring out the clues to find the map was fun and, when I was younger, thrilling. 

Setting: When it comes to history and fantasy books, the setting is extremely important. One should easily get lost in the new city where you can "feel" the cobblestones or mud underfoot. I think Smuggler's Treasure does just that. The smells of the bakery, the rain, the darkness, sets the tone for the suspenseful moments and really help pull it through. 

Characters: Elisabet, as I said, has great growth through the story. She learns that she can do hard and at times scary things in order to do what she thinks will help her father. I liked the others in the bakery as well, in front of as well as behind the counter. They were memorable characters that even a year after reading it, I still enjoy thinking about. 

Spicy: 0/5. It's a children's book. No. 

Writing Style: I think it was well done. American Girl is not going to get newbies to write their books and Sarah Masters Buckley did a good job at setting tones, making likable characters, and developing an interesting story that was simple enough for me to read at 10 and enjoyable enough for me to read after age 30. 

Overall: I would read it again. I ended up gifting my niece a copy and hopes she enjoys it as much as I did.