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313 pp.
| Dial
| April, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3924-6$16.99
(2)
4-6
In 1835, Rufus, twelve-year-old hunchback and chess prodigy, is taken in by Johann Maelzel, owner of the Turk, a chess-playing automaton. They can't seem to escape the mysterious Woman in Black, or the attention of Edgar Allan Poe, who aims to expose their operation for the fraud it is. Blackwood excels in writing historical fiction that is as informative as it is entertaining.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2014
358 pp.
| Dutton
| November, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-42295-2$16.99
(2)
4-6
Blackwood writes a sequel of sorts to Jules Verne's classic. In 1891 Harry Fogg makes a bet with his father's old nemesis that he can circumnavigate the globe in one hundred days--this time in a steam-powered motor car. Along the way there are plenty of revelations and reversals of fortune. This road trip novel will appeal to adventure fans.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2011
170 pp.
| Dutton
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-47960-4$16.99
(3)
4-6
Blackwood presents an engaging look at code development and usage. The text begins with the ancient Greeks and other ancient cultures then moves through early Western history to the World Wars to today and beyond. The well-organized information, including specific examples (some effectively illustrated with black-and-white drawings), will inspire readers to follow the models and maybe even create their own codes. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
141 pp.
| Abrams
| May, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8109-9489-8$19.95
(3)
4-6
Blackwood describes the famous 1908 automobile race that began in New York and ended in Paris. Teams from Germany, Italy, France, and America vied to prove their automobile's superiority. Auto enthusiasts will especially enjoy the drama of the hardships encountered (mud, snow, sand, breakdowns, personal bickering, etc.). The well-researched, sophisticated text is enhanced with archival photographs. Websites. Bib., ind.
(4)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Illustrated by
Jane Manning.
The Just-So Woman is most content when her floors, blankets, and even the butter on her bread are just the way she likes them. She's thrown off kilter by the easygoing Any-Way Man but is forced to seek his help when she runs out of salt. Lively illustrations of rural homestead life help clarify some challenging vocabulary and sentence structures.
281 pp.
| Dutton
| October, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-525-47145-6$$16.99
(2)
4-6
Six months have passed since the events of Shakespeare's Scribe, and Widge has grown more confident in his acting and more comfortable in his place both in the Lord Chamberlain's Men and amongst Mr. Pope's charges. There is a lot going on here, but the novel, with its intrigues, romances, and plagues, is an enjoyable read. An author's note separates fact from fiction.
261 pp.
| Dutton
| September, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46921-4$$16.99
(3)
YA
This novel examines what might have happened if Great Britain had defeated the colonies in the Revolutionary War. Fifteen-year-old Creighton arrives from England and soon begins working with an underground group of patriots, including Benjamin Franklin and Benedict Arnold. The compelling novel offers a thought-provoking perspective on a past that could have been.
72 pp.
| Benchmark
| September, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1017-1$$28.50
(3)
4-6
Bad Guys series.
Each volume in this series profiles a handful of bad guys--and a few bad gals--who have achieved historical notoriety, and sometimes folk-hero status, for their crooked behavior in Europe, major U.S. cities, or the Wild West. Their colorful stories, which often come to violent conclusions, are related in accessible, engaging prose and illustrated with reproductions in both black and white and color. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Bad Guys titles: Gangsters, Highwaymen, Outlaws, Pirates, Swindlers.]
72 pp.
| Benchmark
| September, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1015-5$$28.50
(3)
4-6
Bad Guys series.
Each volume in this series profiles a handful of bad guys--and a few bad gals--who have achieved historical notoriety, and sometimes folk-hero status, for their crooked behavior in Europe, major U.S. cities, or the Wild West. Their colorful stories, which often come to violent conclusions, are related in accessible, engaging prose and illustrated with reproductions in both black and white and color. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Bad Guys titles: Gangsters, Highwaymen, Outlaws, Pirates, Swindlers.]
72 pp.
| Benchmark
| September, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1019-8$$28.50
(3)
4-6
Bad Guys series.
Each volume in this series profiles a handful of bad guys--and a few bad gals--who have achieved historical notoriety, and sometimes folk-hero status, for their crooked behavior in Europe, major U.S. cities, or the Wild West. Their colorful stories, which often come to violent conclusions, are related in accessible, engaging prose and illustrated with reproductions in both black and white and color. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Bad Guys titles: Gangsters, Highwaymen, Outlaws, Pirates, Swindlers.]
72 pp.
| Benchmark
| September, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1031-7$$28.50
(3)
4-6
Bad Guys series.
Each volume in this series profiles a handful of bad guys--and a few bad gals--who have achieved historical notoriety, and sometimes folk-hero status, for their crooked behavior in Europe, major U.S. cities, or the Wild West. Their colorful stories, which often come to violent conclusions, are related in accessible, engaging prose and illustrated with reproductions in both black and white and color. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Bad Guys titles: Gangsters, Highwaymen, Outlaws, Pirates, Swindlers.]
72 pp.
| Benchmark
| September, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1016-3$$28.50
(3)
4-6
Bad Guys series.
Each volume in this series profiles a handful of bad guys--and a few bad gals--who have achieved historical notoriety, and sometimes folk-hero status, for their crooked behavior in Europe, major U.S. cities, or the Wild West. Their colorful stories, which often come to violent conclusions, are related in accessible, engaging prose and illustrated with reproductions in both black and white and color. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Bad Guys titles: Gangsters, Highwaymen, Outlaws, Pirates, Swindlers.]
265 pp.
| Dutton
| September, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46444-1$$15.99
(2)
4-6
In this entirely satisfying sequel to The Shakespeare Stealer, loyalty, trust, and respect once again play a significant role as orphan Widge, now an actor, finds himself torn between his newfound family--the Lord Chamberlain's Men--and a man claiming to be his father. The engaging novel contains an informative author's note that carefully separates fact from fiction.
79 pp.
| Benchmark
| October, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-0748-0$$28.50
(3)
4-6
Secrets of the Unexplained series.
Three fast-paced volumes explore the topics of reincarnation, ghosts and hauntings, and other phenomena including strange disappearances and animal anomalies. The eye-catching covers will draw readers, and the breezy prose style, filled with spooky anecdotal "evidence," will keep them turning the pages. The books are illustrated with archival images and adequate color photographs. Bib., glos., ind.
80 pp.
| Benchmark
| October, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-0746-4$$28.50
(3)
4-6
Secrets of the Unexplained series.
Three fast-paced volumes explore the topics of reincarnation, ghosts and hauntings, and other phenomena including strange disappearances and animal anomalies. The eye-catching covers will draw readers, and the breezy prose style, filled with spooky anecdotal "evidence," will keep them turning the pages. The books are illustrated with archival images and adequate color photographs. Bib., glos., ind.
79 pp.
| Benchmark
| October, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-0747-2$$28.50
(3)
4-6
Secrets of the Unexplained series.
Three fast-paced volumes explore the topics of reincarnation, ghosts and hauntings, and other phenomena including strange disappearances and animal anomalies. The eye-catching covers will draw readers, and the breezy prose style, filled with spooky anecdotal "evidence," will keep them turning the pages. The books are illustrated with archival images and adequate color photographs. Bib., glos., ind.
158 pp.
| Cavendish
| October, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-7614-5056-4$$14.95
(4)
4-6
During the Depression, Thad makes some extra money by delivering bootleg corn liquor to tourists in his Missouri town. A wealthy visitor opens Thad's eyes to the possibilities of life outside his poor, backwoods region but betrays the thirteen-year-old's trust when he reveals himself as a government agent sent to destroy illegal stills. Though colorfully told, the tale is familiar.
111 pp.
| Lucent
| March, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 1-56006-540-0$$22.45
(4)
YA
Way People Live series.
Blackwood profiles the brave folks who crossed the continent on the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s. As expected, their motives and challenges are covered, but refreshing emphasis is placed on the mundane details of their lives. (It's wryly noted that emigrants' diaries omit mention of how they performed bodily functions while traveling.) The title's only shortcoming is its grainy and drab black-and-white illustrations. Bib., ind.
(2)
4-6
In a fast-paced story showcasing the Globe Theatre in its heyday, young Widge is sent by his master to steal a copy of Shakespeare's new play, 'Hamlet', but things go awry. Like 'Hamlet', Blackwood's story focuses on its protagonist's doubt and deliberation about his interrupted quest. Wry humor, cliffhanger chapter endings, and a plucky hero make this a fitting introduction to Shakespeare's world.
80 pp.
| Benchmark
| October, 1998
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-0467-8$$19.95
(4)
4-6
Secrets of the Unexplained series.
Each diverting and readable book explores, mostly through anecdotal evidence, an aspect of the supernatural or the unknown. The material ranges from the historical (such as the writings of Nostradamus and the 1940s "flying saucer" reports) to the contemporary; hoaxes and possible explanations for some paranormal events are mentioned, but the texts are written from a generally credulous perspective. Illustrated with adequate color photographs. Bib., glos., ind.