(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Tim Jessell. In post–WWII Maryland, Chuck is fascinated with radios, radar, and space travel. Although he struggles in school, Chuck can build anything and has a "genius" mind for understanding schematics. He and his younger sister build a prototype for a space capsule, albeit with ill-gotten materials. The novel contains plenty of adventure and action, but coincidences strain credulity and subplots bog down the story.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Tim Jessell. Mark's anthropologist dad heads to the Gobi Desert to "meet and live with the desert people like Marco Polo did." After Dad goes missing, Mark and his mother travel to Polo's home city of Venice to investigate. Fearful and tentative, the main character (with help from a talking dog) finds courage. The family drama plus stories of Marco in Italy will hold readers' interest. Bib.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Tim Jessell. Eleven-year-old Andrew becomes a page to Walter Raleigh. The early part of the novel is a fish-out-of-water story as Andrew adjusts to his new life. It then becomes an adventure when he's sent on a series of missions, including a voyage to America as part of an ill-fated Roanoke expedition. Armstrong, who's done his historical research, writes in a lively style.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2007