Roanoke

Physical description: xviii,360 p, [8] p of plates ; 24 cm. Notes: Includes index. Summary: In 1587, a report claims that the first English settlers are in trouble. Later it emerges that they all perished on Roanoke Island off the North Carolina coast. Lee Miller alleges that the tragedy began at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Review: The story of the early settlements in America is one of greed, starvation, massacres and ruin, and the disappearance of the Roanoke colony is one of America's great historical mysteries. Where most works for young readers leave the subject a mystery, Miller tells the tale as a detective story full of spy networks, sabotage, "accidents" and political posturing, and purports to solve the mystery, letting readers in on the thrill of historical investigation. Source notes, however, are mostly for primary sources, and inclusion of an author's note would have been an opportunity to show how the author arrived at her conclusions. Also, for a book so rooted in geography, a good map would have been helpful, as would a bibliography for young readers who wish to read further. Still, the handsome design, the lively prose and the trappings of the mystery tale will make history buffs read this in one big gulp. A good match with Jean Fritz's The Lost Colony of Roanoke (2004) and Michael Cooper's Jamestown, 1607 (Jan. 2007). (historical cast, time line, source notes, index) (Nonfiction. 9+) (Kirkus Reviews). Subjects: Colonists - North Carolina - Roanoke - History - 16th century. English - Elizabeth 1558-1603. American history: c 1500 to c 1800. Illustrated.