Secret in St. Something

From School Library Journal Grade 5-8-Shady characters, dark stairwells, and menacing footsteps abound in this Victorian-era mystery set in New York City. Following the deaths of first his father and then his mother, Robin lives the quintessential hard-knocks life. When his cruel stepfather, Hawker Doak, threatens violence against Robin's brother, Danny, Robin runs away with the baby in the middle of the night. They find refuge with street boys holed up in the basement of a church that the illiterate boys call "St. Something." The urchins quickly adopt Robin and Danny, giving them a home and showing Robin how to make a living. However, all of their lives change forever when Hawker reappears and later makes a stunning deathbed confession. The sense of danger and bleakness in these characters' lives is convincingly portrayed. This feeling is contrasted nicely with the warm and loyal familial relationship of the youngsters. The mystery element and the leering, abusive Hawker keep the story moving swiftly. While the street boys' heavy dialect may be daunting to less competent readers, children will cheer at the rags-to-riches ending and the renewed sense of hope in the boys' lives. Give this to both historical fiction and mystery fans, who will enjoy the unique blend of genres.