The
Secret of the Lonely
Grave
Albert A. Bell Jr.
Reviewed by Donna Morse
The saddest part upon reading this story was the fact
that it had to end. What a super story. Having taught pre and post
Civil War
for several years to sixth graders, I found this story to be an
excellent
example of contemporary mystery with ties to the Underground Railroad.
The story characters are believable and sassy and
common enough for many 10-12 year olds to find completely believable.
Kendra
and Steve begin summer vacation and notice that someone has been
placing
flowers on a young girl’s grave. What’s mystifying is the fact that
this
gravestone is near the cemetery that the kids pass everyday on the way
to the
bus, and oddly it’s next to, but not in the cemetery. This is enough to
spark
the bloodhound in Kendra who hopes to be a detective someday and pulls
her best
friend Steve, a future novelist, into solving this mystery.
The students soon discover that a college history
teacher summering in their area is the one who has been placing the
flowers on
Amanda’s grave. Doc befriends the two kids and leads them into an
historical
investigation by researching church records, the historical society,
and
speaking with local people.
This story is a lot of fun to read. It has an
excellent story line, great characters, and issues with bullying,
family
values, and a strong sense of friendship.
What is also invaluable is historical
connection with
primary source articles in the afterward such as the actual wording on
the
slave reward posters, a time line, and a copy of the song, ‘Follow the
Drinking
Gourd’.
I look forward to sharing this
story
with my class in
the fall and hopefully to another adventure mystery involving Steve and
Kendra.