Secrets at Sea / Richard Peck / 238 pages

This book set in the time of Queen Victoria is the story of the downstairs Cranston mice (Helena, Louise, Beatrice & brother Lamont) setting off to sea with their upstairs Cranston family to find the eldest Cranston daughter a husband.  The book is entertaining, charming, funny, spot on, action-filled and eloquently written.  The language of Richard Peck's book is as elegant and spare as Richard himself.  The illustrations by Kelly Murphy are perfect and add even more to an already wonderful tale.  Recommended for all readers (probably has more girl appeal) in grades 3-5.  This would be a great read aloud for family or class and there's plenty to talk about.  In the words of Aunt Fannie Fenimore (a very wise old mouse) "Everybody has two futures.  The future you choose. Or the future that chooses you."    Highly recommended.