Daring Heists: Real Tales of Sensational Robberies and Robbers (Mystery & Mayhem) - Softcover

Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Literature Rating: Recommended -- Superior in style, liveliness, integrity and format. Part of the Mystery & Mayhem series this volume focuses on five robberies, each told in story format in its own chapter. Some such as the D. B. Cooper hijacking and the Great Train Robbery are well known. Two others covered by the author are detailing museum robberies, one in 1990 from a Boston art museum and the other in 1985 took place in Mexico City. The chapter titled "Queen of Thieves" tells about Fredericka Madelbaum who ruled New York City for 25 years as the crime queen. She was finally caught in 1845 by the Pinkerton Agency. A judge allowed her to post bail and she immediately fled to Canada. Each chapter is followed by a page detailing what else was happening during that time. This volume includes some maps, a glossary and a few websites for further information. Booklist Adventure is at the forefront of the Mystery & Mayhem series, which visits--and occasionally sensationalizes-- exciting true tales.

Stolen artwork, an adrenaline-driven train robbery, and brilliant masters of thievery await in Daring Heists: Real Tales of Sensational Robberies and Robbers for readers ages 9 to 12. This is the third book in the new Mystery & Mayhem series, which features true tales that whet kids' appetites for history by engaging them in genres with proven track records--mystery and adventure. History is made of near misses, unexplained disappearances, unsolved mysteries, and bizarre events that are almost too weird to be true--almost! The Mystery & Mayhem series delves into these tidbits of history to provide kids with a jumping off point into a lifelong habit of appreciating history. Each of the five true tales told within Daring Heists is paired with a map, as well as fun facts about the setting, industry, and time period. A glossary and resources page provide the opportunity to practice using essential academic tools. These nonfiction narratives use clear, concise language with compelling plots that both avid and reluctant readers will be drawn to. Nomad Press books in the Mystery & Mayhem series introduce readers to historical concepts and events by engaging them in an extremely popular genre--real-life adventure and mystery. Readers ages 9 to 12 are fascinated with the strange-but-true tales that populate history, and books in this series offer compelling narrative nonfiction paired with concise language that appeals to both voracious and reluctant readers. Nomad's unique approach to the study of history uses tantalizing tales based in factual knowledge that encourage a lifelong curiosity in the historical events that shape our world.