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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Read twice, still cannot seem to remember many details that would allow me to explain the story line to a friend/customer. I do remember enough to know I should give it another shot.
Very well paced and plotted. The characters were appealing and real and the story had a historical mystery that tied in very nicely with the missing diamond in the present. A fun read!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was a bit torn between a 2 and 3 star rating for this book. It wasn't terrible, but I guess I was just expecting more. In this case, I judged the book by its cover and was left feeling a little disappointed. From the cover I thought this would be a little more sinister and adventurous than it was. On the other hand I can't really be mad that the situations were more on the practical side.
I liked that the adults in this story didn't handle the children with kid gloves. I mean as I read some of the conversations between Hero(main character) and some of the adults in her world, all I could imagine was me at that age most likely being sent out of the room because adults were talking (I always hated that). Their was at least one situation in the book were I thought Hero's parents were a bit too easy going, but it's hard to go into detail without possible spoilers.
Overall this was an okay read. The characters were relatable and likable. Their is a secondary mystery in the book, that I didn't expect, yet it was a nice addition. Also I loved all the history about Shakespeare and Anne Boleyn. While I knew a good bit about Anne Boleyn, I didn't know some of the facts about Shakespeare or Edward de Vere. I'm all about learning new things so those facts alone, boost the book for me. If you're into history, maybe give this a go. If you're looking for an edge of your seat mystery/adventure, skip it.
I liked that the adults in this story didn't handle the children with kid gloves. I mean as I read some of the conversations between Hero(main character) and some of the adults in her world, all I could imagine was me at that age most likely being sent out of the room because adults were talking (I always hated that). Their was at least one situation in the book were I thought Hero's parents were a bit too easy going, but it's hard to go into detail without possible spoilers.
Overall this was an okay read. The characters were relatable and likable. Their is a secondary mystery in the book, that I didn't expect, yet it was a nice addition. Also I loved all the history about Shakespeare and Anne Boleyn. While I knew a good bit about Anne Boleyn, I didn't know some of the facts about Shakespeare or Edward de Vere. I'm all about learning new things so those facts alone, boost the book for me. If you're into history, maybe give this a go. If you're looking for an edge of your seat mystery/adventure, skip it.
I started reading that, but I never finished it. From what I recall, the main character's name was Hero, I think. She was named after a chracter from one of Shakespear's plays, "Much Ado About Nothing". I don't remember what us was about, but I don't recall disliking it. I read some of this in sixth grade. I think I did become bored with it, though, after a few chapters.
GENRE: Fiction, mystery, adventure, historical fiction elements.
SUMMARY: Hero's family is heavily into Shakespeare; her father's work is even related to Shakespeare. She was not interested in it, especially not after being saddled with a name from one of Shakespeare's plays that also happens to be the name of a classmate's dog. Her interest in history changes after she becomes friends with their new next-door neighbor, an elderly lady that tells Hero a story about a diamond that used to be in the house, and may still be hidden inside somewhere. With the help of an unlikely new friend, Danny, one of the most popular boys in eighth grade, Hero becomes determined to find the diamond and uncover its history.
EVALUATION: I don't normally enjoy mysteries, though perhaps since this is not in the normal 'someone's been murdered/robbed/accosted whodunit?' vein, I thought it was fairly good. The story also deals with Hero's jealousy of her older sister, and touches on the awkwardness that kids to a new school can feel. I especially liked the references to the Elizabethan period, and the discussion revolving whether or not William Shakespeare actually wrote all of those plays.
WHY I WOULD INCLUDE IT: This is a very approachable, intriguing mystery. I don't know whether or not the theories surrounding the legitimacy of Shakespeare's work are correct or not, nor do I know how accurate the potential history behind the necklace is, but I became quite involved in both. That is what really drew me into the story, and if parts of it are correct, then there is some educational value to this book. If it is all fiction, it could still provide a dynamic discussion to interested tweens.
READER'S ANNOTATION: Hero and Danny work together to solve the mystery of a diamond worth millions that may be hidden in Hero's house.
ITEMS WITH SIMILAR APPEAL:
• Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison.
• Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams.
• The Dark Stairs by Betsy Cromer Byars.
• The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd.
• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.
SUMMARY: Hero's family is heavily into Shakespeare; her father's work is even related to Shakespeare. She was not interested in it, especially not after being saddled with a name from one of Shakespeare's plays that also happens to be the name of a classmate's dog. Her interest in history changes after she becomes friends with their new next-door neighbor, an elderly lady that tells Hero a story about a diamond that used to be in the house, and may still be hidden inside somewhere. With the help of an unlikely new friend, Danny, one of the most popular boys in eighth grade, Hero becomes determined to find the diamond and uncover its history.
EVALUATION: I don't normally enjoy mysteries, though perhaps since this is not in the normal 'someone's been murdered/robbed/accosted whodunit?' vein, I thought it was fairly good. The story also deals with Hero's jealousy of her older sister, and touches on the awkwardness that kids to a new school can feel. I especially liked the references to the Elizabethan period, and the discussion revolving whether or not William Shakespeare actually wrote all of those plays.
WHY I WOULD INCLUDE IT: This is a very approachable, intriguing mystery. I don't know whether or not the theories surrounding the legitimacy of Shakespeare's work are correct or not, nor do I know how accurate the potential history behind the necklace is, but I became quite involved in both. That is what really drew me into the story, and if parts of it are correct, then there is some educational value to this book. If it is all fiction, it could still provide a dynamic discussion to interested tweens.
READER'S ANNOTATION: Hero and Danny work together to solve the mystery of a diamond worth millions that may be hidden in Hero's house.
ITEMS WITH SIMILAR APPEAL:
• Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison.
• Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams.
• The Dark Stairs by Betsy Cromer Byars.
• The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd.
• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.
Interesting mystery, clean read for the middle school set, but I didn't love it - the mystery was solved way too simply.