Elisabeth Egan
…witty and wise…Secrets at Sea is Peck's 33rd novel for children…He has proved himself many times over as a storyteller—and now, definitively, as a humorist. Helena's tale is rife with snappy asides and clever but never heavy-handed mentions of mouse-centric nursery rhymes like "Hickory Dickory Dock." These comic touches blend seamlessly with Peck's moving story, avoiding the buffoonery trap while still remaining accessible to young readers.
—The New York Times Book Review
From the Publisher
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
Common Sense Media
Essential Books for Kids & Teens
Chicago Tribune
Peck’s eye for family dynamics is excellent.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mr. Peck, a master at blending memorable characters, humor, history, and page-turning stories, is in top form here.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Readers who like their animals cute, their history entertaining, and their endings happy will find full satisfaction here.
Booklist
By turns poignant and playful, engaging and exciting, and with a touch of romance, the story will have great appeal for the audience.
Horn Book
* “The rodent world meets Upstairs, Downstairs in this rollicking comedy of manners that begs to be read aloud.
The New York Times
Rife with snappy asides and clever but never heavy-handed.
MARCH 2012 - AudioFile
The upstairs Cranstons, who are human, prepare for a voyage to Europe to find a husband for daughter Olivia, and, surprisingly, the downstairs Cranstons, who are mice, find themselves going on the same outing. Advised by a wise relative that the way to keep one’s family together is to open one’s arms, eldest mouse Helena embraces the mores of Victorian society as she keeps her siblings in line onboard ship. Who knows who will find a husband! Jayne Entwistle excels in characterization. Her “Ello, ello” of cabin steward Nigel has all of the British twang expected. As the Duchess of Cheddar Gorge, Entwistle is regal; as flappable Mrs. Cranston, dithering. As narrator, Entwistle is clipped but clear, enabling Peck’s attention to details—such as a tea service of thimbles set on a penny, guest lists in elegant script on cream-colored vellum—to shine. A.R. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
Problem novels, ghost stories, historical fiction—is there anything Newbery Medalist Peck cannot do? Apparently not.
Helena Cranston, oldest surviving member of her family after the deaths of both her parents and her sisters Vicky and Alice, has her hands full: dreamy sister Beatrice and skittery sister Louise keep sneaking out at night—Helena fears inappropriate liaisons—while brother Lamontskips school for more dangerous pursuits.Worse yet, the Upper Cranstons, dissatisfied with Hudson Valleybeaux, are embarking for England to catch daughter Olive a husband.Europe, as Helena knows, is across a very large body of water, and Helena, being a mouse, fears water with all her heart.Yet soon she and her family, secreted in one of the Cranstons' steamer trunks, are carried onboard ship, where they discover an aristocraticmouse society heretofore unknown, including the Mouse-in-Waiting to Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's daughter, who shows Helenathat mice can in fact change history—at least on a mouse-sized scale.Peck must havehad a blast writing this.Whimsical language, sure characterization, unflagging adventure,even romance—all seen through Helena's relentlessly practical beady little eyes.ThinkThe Tale of Despereauxwithout the twee.
Sheer delight. (final art not seen) (Animal fantasy. 8-12)
