Yet Another Reader Views Review

Here's a wonderful, well-written review of The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase, book 4 in my series. It was written by Regan Zaborowski (8) for Reader Views (www.readerviewskids.com).

"This is a about a man and his wife, called Elmo and Feather Phigg, who have car trouble and want to stay at the Keswick Inn. But first they meet Bailey Fish and her grandmother, and they help the Phiggs get to the Keswick Inn. They have a green suitcase that is very heavy and no one knows what is in it. Bailey and her friends try to find out what is in the suitcase. They are very curious about it. There is also a girl who comes to the Keswick Inn that Mr. and Mrs. Keswick are going to take are of. She can't speak, and Bailey and her grandmother have a party for her so that she would want to laugh or talk to someone. I was so nervous when I had to wait to see if she would; I really wanted her to. While they are doing this, Mr. and Mrs. Phigg go to Jamestown because they are writing a history book about that place. There is a big surprise at the end when eveyone learns about what is in the suitcase.

I liked reading "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase" with my mom. The main character in the book, Bailey Fish, seemed to be like me - curious and wanting to know about mysteries. I wanted to read more after I was done with each chapter because the mystery kept getting stranger. We didn't learn what was in the suitcase until the very end, and it was very funny. I also learned about the history of Jamestown, which is in Virginia. It made me want to learn more about the first people that came to live there. I am asking my mom for more Bailey Fish books, because they are fun to read."

Thank you so much, Reagan, for that excellent review. I think you will be an author someday.
Linda Salisbury

Another Reader Views review

Thank you, Eric Zeda (9) for a fine review of "The Thief at Keswick Inn," the third book in the series. He writes for www.readerviewskids.com

Eric says, "This mystery begins when Bailey Fish and Justin Rudd are hired to help clean and repair the Keswick's house. While they are cleaning, the kids find a treasure while cleaning up the trash inside the house. Things get mysterious when some of the items disappear. Everyone thinks Justin, the neighborhood bully, is the thief. Noah, Fred, and Bailey decide to make a trap to catch the thief. What they discover is surprising. . . . It is great for kids who like to read mysteries. I gave it three stars because I enjoy reading action-packed books. I recommend "The Thief at Keswick Inn" for anyone that likes detective stories, but not for kids who want an action-packed story."

I really appreciate Eric's thoughtful comments and the fact that he shared what kind of stories he really likes to read.

Reader Views Reviews

We just received a lovely review of No Sisters Sisters Club (book 2) by India Furney (12) for Reader Views. This is a online book review service that lets kids review books for kids--a terrific idea, don't you think?

Here is what India wrote: "Eleven-year-old Bailey hasn't seen her Dad since he left when she was one. Now, all of a sudden he turns up on Sugar's (Bailey's grandma) doorstep AND he has with him Bailey's half-sister that she didn't even know existed! Her name is Norma Jean and she looks perfect, perfect hair, perfect smile and Bailey hates her!

When Norma Jean comes to stay, Bailey creates the NO SISTERS SISTERS CLUB with her two best friends, Emily and Amber. No sisters allowed and that includes Norma Jean! Eventually, Bailey decides that having a sister isn't so bad after all.

I liked "No sisters Club" a lot and really enjoyed reading it. I could relate to the Sisters Club because I have three friends and we call ourselves "sisters." I think this is great for girls ages 8-13."

Thank you, India, and Reader Views. Visit their Web site at www.readerviewskids.com.

P.S. Boys like the book, too.

And P.P.S. I will be at Jabberwocky children's bookstore this Sunday from noon to 2 p.m., and then it will be home to back more Christmas cookies!

Boat ride

Who would have believed that it would be 70 degrees in December? Santa must have been surprised to see us out on the lake in our little wooden boat yesterday. There weren't many other boaters taking advantage of the beautiful weather. We zipped through a flock of seagulls sending them flying for a few moments before they landed on the small waves. By the end of the ride, the temperature was dropping and we were glad to get back to shore. It's chilly again today. Maybe there will be more warm days this winter.

I've been working on book 6 and have finally settled on the historical aspects that will be worked into the story. Fascinating what we learn about our founding fathers!

Battle of Marye's Heights anniversary

The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star had a wonderful article about this weekend's reenactment of the Battle of Fredericksburg and about the Angel of Marye's Heights. It's the 145th anniversary of this battle that cost many lives on both sides. It is also the story of "angel" St. Richard Kirkland, who climbed over a stone wall and took water to the wounded and dying Federal troops. I was so impressed with his bravery and compassion that I included this, and information about the battle, in my fifth book, Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater for kids. There is a picture of the Kirkland statue in the book, and of the Sunken Road where the Confederate troops defended Marye's Heights.

I will be at Hunter's Landing near Lake Anna from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to autograph books;
at the Pear Tree from 1-4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14, at Marshall Farms Corner in Unionville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, and finally (this holiday season) at Jabberwocky Children's Bookstore in downtown Fredericksburg (810 Caroline St.) from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23.

Or, if you can't make the booksignings, you can buy the books online.