Weird Disappearances

Book excerpt: When Virginia Dare was born in Roanoke Colony in 1587, her birth was probably heralded as a new beginning, not just for the tiny baby but for the entire colony. She was the first child of English parents to be born in what English settlers called the “New World.” But three years later, Virginia, her parents, and all other members of the Roanoke colony had disappeared. History is silent about their fate. The story of Virginia Dare and her fellow settlers is a famous one that is still studied and wondered about to this day. Weird Disappearances: Real Tales of Missing People, for readers ages 9 to 12, is a collection of five true tales that examine five moments in history when someone vanished without a trace. Chapters include Virginia Dare, Amelia Earhart, Solomon Northrop, Percy Fawcett, and Anastasia Romanov. These mysterious figures are discussed against the backdrop of historical circumstances, whether it be the carving out of a new world in an ancient culture, the upheaval of the Russian Revolution, or the blazing of a new trail high in the skies. Weird Disappearances is the fourth book in a new series called Mystery & Mayhem, which features true tales that whet kids’ appetites for history by engaging them in genres with proven track records—mystery and adventure. History is made of near misses, unexplained disappearances, unsolved mysteries, and bizarre events that are almost too weird to be true—almost! The Mystery & Mayhem series delves into these tidbits of history to provide kids with a jumping off point into a lifelong habit of appreciating history. Each of the five true tales told within Weird Disappearances is paired with a map, as well as fun facts about the setting, industry, and time period. A glossary and resources page provide the opportunity to practice using essential academic tools. These nonfiction narratives use clear, concise language with compelling plots that both avid and reluctant readers will be drawn to.