Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G Violence: PG (peril. student fist fights)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Young Arthur Conan Doyle is sure he's the answer to help his struggling family in 1868, Edinburgh. His father drinks too much to support Arthur, his mother, and many sisters - he will drop out of school and get a job. But, out of the blue, Arthur receives a scholarship to the prestigious Baskerville Hall. An airship picks him up and sweeps him away to a boarding school embroiled in a mystery. It's the perfect place for brilliant Arthur to use his skills of observation and pugilism.
Readers don't need a background knowledge of Doyle to enjoy this fun novel, but those who love Sherlock Holmes will recognize characters like James Moriarty, Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, and others. The Steam punk elements were great, and I loved that they added danger and suspense to the story. You'd have to do the math to see that Arthur is a 9yo (provided the time frame is the same as Doyle's actual age), but the story reads more like he was 12. I really liked it - Standish has introduced a lot of characters, as I'm sure there will be a sequel, but it didn't feel like the setup for a series. Includes a mini-biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. All the characters are British, except Irene who is American.
Lisa Librarian
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