Product Description

While working as an indentured servant for a Jamestown glassmaker in 1621, twelve-year-old Merry uncovers a case of sabotage.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7437591 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Turtleback

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Set in 1621, Shadows begins when 12-year-old Merry is kidnapped from London and forced to suffer a grueling journey by ship to the New World. Upon her arrival in the Jamestown settlement, she is promptly sold into indentured servitude and forced to work in a glasshouse. There, Merry works under the tutelage of kindly Franz, the master glassblower. A mystery ensues when someone begins to sabotage the operation and tries to steal the formula for cristallo, a valuable clear glass from Italy. The historical descriptions of Jamestown and especially glassblowing are detailed and lively enough to hold readers' interest. While the mystery element is somewhat predictable, it adds another level to the historical detail. "A Peek into the Past" section describes the era and includes appropriate photographs, reproductions, and drawings. A quick and fun read for those who have outgrown the "American Girls" books (Pleasant Company).-Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

A young indentured servant girl in 1621 discovers a mystery.
In the six years since their parents died, twelve-year-old Merry Shipman and her older sister Margaret have had to survive on their own, which isn't easy in 1621 London. One day by the docks, Merry is kidnapped and taken aboard a ship bound for the Jamestown settlement, in the New World, where she will be forced to work as an indentured servant, which is little better than a slave. The sea voyage lasts three long, miserable months. Merry is both relieved and frightened to finally arrive in Virginia. Her five-year contract is purchased by the owner of the glasshouse. Although she is miserable and misses her sister, Merry enjoys watching the glass being made and is befriended by one of the apprentinces. But someone is sabotaging rhe work, and the chief suspect is Merrie's only friend. Merrie is determined to find the real culprit before it is too late. I highly reccomend this book to readers who enjoyed the other books in the History Mysteries series. Merrie was a brave and resourceful character, and I was cheering for her as she attempted to solve the mystery at the glasshouse.

A Clear Winner
This is the fourth "history mystery" that my daughter and I have shared. She has been looking forward to our reading time each night since we began them. It is also like this when we read Harry Potter, but has not always been the case with other things we've read together, so I think it's safe to say that she enjoys these stories a lot. She says this one is her "second favorite" of those we've read so far (The Smuggler's Treasure is her favorite), but they've all been good.

This one starts out with Merrie Shipman aboard ship, bound for the Jamestown colony in 1621. She and her older sister were orphans struggling to survive on their own in London when she was kidnapped and put on the ship. During the voyage, she makes friends with Angelo, a glassblower's apprentice. When they reach Jamestown, Merrie is sold into indentured servitude. Fortunately, it is the owner of the glasshouse who has her contract, so she gets to work at the glasshouse with her friend. Trouble ensues when some notes relating to a new glassmaking formula are stolen from Angelo and work at the glasshouse is sabotaged.

The storyline may be a bit predictable in its outcome, but it is plenty engaging for the 9 to 12 year-old audience it is written for. It also gives kids a good insight into the early colonial period. Indentured servitude, the hardships of sailing across the Atlantic, and the difficulties and opportunities of life in the New World are vividly portrayed. Readers even learn about "tobacco brides", which was something new to me, too. Finally, Merrie is a courageous young girl, who takes risks to protect her friend and bring about a just outcome.

The "history mystery" series is a good one for kids. This particular story will not disappoint. Highly recommended to kids and their parents.

A Book That You Need To Read!
This is the kind of book that gets you thinking,(who did it?). Merry is an orphan and gets kidnapped. She finds herself on a smelly ship headed for Jamestown. Is she going to be a slave, or an indentured servant? How long wil she be there? Will she have enough food and clothes? Well, I'll leave that for you to find out. Her life is a threatening patch of thorn bushes. But at least her best friend, Angelo, is there to comfort her. The problem is that Angelo's new glass formula book is missing!Oh, no! This book is one of the best history mysteries that gets you on the edge of your seat. I like this book because my favorite mystery stories are when there is always trouble for the detective, even when it seems like the detective can almost do nothing wrong. Merry may be in harms way, but she is always on the path of victory! This book makes you want to know (automatically) what is going to happen next. My friends and I (in the fourth grade)have just finished reading it and we recommend it as a high winner with all the similes, metaphors, personifications, and vivid descriptions!