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Shop nowSecrets at Sea
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Learn moreHelena is big-sister mouse to three younger siblings, living a snug and well-fed life within the ancient walls of the Cranston family home. When the Cranston humans decide to sail away to England to find a husband for one of their daughters, the Cranston mice stow away in the name of family solidarity.
And so begins the scamper of their lives as Helena, her siblings, and their humans set sail on a life-changing voyage into the great world of titled humans . . . and titled mice, and surprise endings for all. The masterful Richard Peck brings all of his talents to this tale of two branches of an American family, set on the eve of Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. There are plenty of laughs and thrills, and of course there’s a ship’s cat too. Will our Cranston heroes squeak by, or will they go entirely overboard?
Richard Peck is the first children’s writer ever to have been awarded a National Humanities Medal. His extensive list of honors includes the Newbery Medal (for A Year Down Yonder), a Newbery Honor (for A Long Way from Chicago), the Margaret A. Edwards Award, the Scott O’Dell Award (for The River Between Us), and the Christopher Medal (for The Teacher’s Funeral). He has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award. He lives in New York City.
Reviews
“Rife with snappy asides and clever but never heavy-handed.” — The New York Times* “Readers will revel in the detailed descriptions of mouse-sized joys, woes, and love connections.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
* “Is there anything Newbery Medalist Peck cannot do? Apparently not…Whimsical language, sure characterization, unflagging adventure, even romance.” — Kirkus, starred review
* “The rodent world meets Upstairs, Downstairs in this rollicking comedy of manners that begs to be read aloud.” — Horn Book, starred review
“By turns poignant and playful, engaging and exciting, and with a touch of romance, the story will have great appeal for the audience.” — Booklist
“The fast-paced story is peppered with the author’s characteristic sly wit and is pure fun.” — School Library Journal
“Readers who like their animals cute, their history entertaining, and their endings happy will find full satisfaction here.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Mr. Peck, a master at blending memorable characters, humor, history, and page-turning stories, is in top form here.” — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“Peck’s eye for family dynamics is excellent.” — Chicago Tribune
Essential Books for Kids & Teens — Common Sense Media Expand reviews