''Secrets at Sea'' is a 2011 children's novel written by
Newbery medalist
Richard Peck and illustrated by award-winning artist
Kelly Murphy
Kelly Murphy is an American author, illustrator and educator. She is based in Providence, Rhode Island.
Early life
Murphy was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in southeastern Massachusetts. She attended the Rhode Island School of Desi ...
. It is a tale of a family of mice stowaways on an adventurous ship's journey, set in the late 19th century.
Plot
The Story of the four mice and their journey on a ship.
Chapters:
Chapter 1 – Great changes
Chapter 2 – Skitter and Jitter
Chapter 3 – The Haystack
Chapter 4 – When Night and Darkness Fell
Chapter 5 – Two Futures
Chapter 6 – A World of Steam and Humans
Chapter 7 – Dinner is Served
Chapter 8 – The Law of the Sea
Chapter 9 – A Royal Command
Chapter 10 – Camilla's Train
Chapter 11 – Sebastian's Secret Sweet Shop
Chapter 12 – Secrets the Dark Night Keeps
Chapter 13 – Dynasty and Destiny
Chapter 14 – Waltz Time
Chapter 15 – A Fond Toodle-oo
Chapter 16 – A Palace Wedding
Characters
* Helena – The protagonist character, is the oldest mouse.
* Lamont
* Camilla
* Olive
* Duchess of Cheddar Gorge
* Nigel
* Mrs. Flora
* Mr. Floyd
* Lord Sebastian Sandown
* Mr. and Mrs. Cranston
* Mother and Father
* Katinka Van Tassel Dutch
* Vicky
* Alice
* Mrs. Flint
* Mona
* Mrs. Minture
* Gideon McSorley
* Barn
* Aunt Fannie Fanimore
* Elena
* Cecil
* Queen Victoria
* Lord Peter
* Lady Augusta Drear
* Nanny Pratt
* Little Lord Sandown
* The Mouse Queen
Reception
''Secrets at Sea'' has received widespread acclaim and was featured on best books of the year lists by the
New York Times,
Kirkus Reviews
''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...
and
People Magazine. Additionally, the artwork for Secrets at Sea received Gold Medals from the
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, as well as distinction from the
Society of Illustrators in New York.
Awards
Best of lists
2011 Notable Children's Books,
The New York Times
2011 Best Books for Children,
Kirkus Reviews
''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...
2011 Ten Best Books for Children,
People Magazine
Starred reviews
2011 Starred Review,
Publishers Weekly
2011 Starred Review,
The Horn Book
''The Horn Book Magazine'', founded in Boston in 1924, is the oldest bimonthly magazine dedicated to reviewing children's literature. It began as a "suggestive purchase list" prepared by Bertha Mahony Miller and Elinor Whitney Field, proprietre ...
2011 Starred Review,
Kirkus Reviews
''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...
Illustration competitions
2012 Original Art Show,
Society of Illustrators
2013 Gold Medal (Children's Market Category),
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles
References
External links
* {{Official website, http://kelmurphy.com/secrets-at-sea.html, Secrets At Sea page on Kelly Murphy's official website
2011 American novels
American children's novels
American young adult novels
Children's historical novels
Children's novels about mice and rats
2011 children's books
Dial Press books
Children's books set in the 19th century