Review Page
History's a Mystery is the first novel by high school teacher, Dr Dell Brand. Written for older children it tells of four children and their time travelling adventures they have after finding a loose floorboard that could send them to the past. Their destinations are directly related to the history lessons given by their teacher, Mr Mac.
This manuscript is both very entertaining and educational. Famous figures and events are introduced in a manner that entices the reader and encourages them to seek further information outside the novel.
Dell finds the perfect balance between comedy and suspense, entertainment and information. Her writing style is well suited to the age group she addresses, she uses appropriate language and paints a clear and colourful picture of each setting in the book. Dell's plot is well-crafted and the character development is as strong as the book's story structure.
The marketing department believes that the book can be promoted for both its educational and creative aspects and that the author herself is marketable given her educational background and work with problem children.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading History's a Mystery and despite a number of grammatical errors, I do not foresee any major problems with the edit.
Therefore I recommend its acceptance for publication under the Zeus Publications imprint.
Jessamine Archer
Evaluator
Zeus Publications
Another Book Review
610 Calderwood Rd
Albion Park
NSW 2527
October 29, 2007
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Kristen Pomery and I am a teacher at Mount Warrigal Primary School. I recently read a book, which impressed me greatly, and I would like you to include the book review below in your next publication if possible.
Dell Brand is a respected teacher with many years experience in the classroom. She has just had her first children’s novel History’s a Mystery published. This fabulous time travel adventure book is aimed at the upper primary/lower secondary age group and the children in the novel visit many of the places studied in the NSW Stage Two and Three HSIE syllabus. Since the characters in the book are in Year Five, students are able to visit the events in history as seen through the eyes of children their age. Adventures include the arrival of the First Fleet; the Eureka Stockade; Antarctic adventures with Shackleton; the eruption of Vesuvius; Sadako and her paper cranes, and life in Ancient Egypt. Not to mention famous characters from the past such as Oliver Twist, Robin Hood and Spartacus.
After teaching Stage Three classes for the past six years I found the book not only complimented the class topics for the year, but also offered openings for a plethora of other discussion points. The class and I thoroughly enjoyed accompanying the characters on their adventures and would love to see a sequel with more adventures one day.
Kris Pomery
Teacher Mount Warrigal Primary School