The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons
Set in New England, in 1906, this historical novel pits a young heroine against an odious villain and his allies. Lucy is orphaned in chapter 1 when a sailboat picnic ends tragically with a rescue attempt in which both her parents drown. She is placed under the guardianship of Uncle Victor, whose chief concern is plundering or inheriting her parents&#x2019; estate. Clever Lucy shows plenty of pluck in finding allies and engineering a means of escape from her uncle&#x2019;s tyrannical and potentially murderous clutches. The novel is a melodrama in that characters act out clearly defined roles with flair (Uncle Victor&#x2019;s wife flaunts her greed, power, and cruelty by wearing Lucy&#x2019;s mother&#x2019;s jewelry) rather than nuance. While supernatural elements are woven into the story, a huge magical event near the end comes as a surprise. The story quickly pivots, takes a new direction, and stops without a satisfying conclusion. Hinting at a sequel, it leaves some unanswered questions and, quite possibly, some unsatisfied readers. Grades 4-6. --Carolyn Phelan