Meg Mackintosh Solves Seven American History Mysteries

Meg Mackintosh and The Case of the Missing Babe Ruth Baseball
Meg Mackintosh and The Case of the Curious Whale Watch
Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery at the Medieval Castle
Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery at Camp Creepy
Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery in the Locked Library
Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery at the Soccer Match
Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery on Main Street
Meg Mackintosh and The Stage Fright Secret
Meg Mackintosh Solves Seven American History Mysteries

First Secret Passage Press Edition 2008

Copyright © 1999 by Lucinda Landon

Originally titled
American History Mysteries
by Lucinda Landon
Published by Scholastic Professional Books, New York, 1999

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, please visit megmackintosh. com

 

The backdrop against which each mystery is set is based on historical persons and fact, however the characters and events in this book are fiction. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

 

 

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

 

Landon, Lucinda.

Meg Mackintosh solves seven American History mysteries/ by Lucinda Landon. – 2nd. ed.

Summary: Young detectives Meg and Peter Mackintosh are challenged to solve seven history related mysteries as they drive cross-country with their grandfather over summer vacation. The reader is invited to solve illustrated clues.

 

(1.Mystery and detective stories. 2. Historical fiction. 3. Literary recreations)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2008931414

ISBN 978-1-888695-12-0

 

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

 

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

For my parents,
Barbara and Ned Landon,
and our ancestors and descendants.

“Listen to this, Meg and Peter,” their grandfather read from the newspaper. “On this day in history, June 16th, the following historic events occurred.”

“What?” Peter looked up and lifted his headphones from his ears.

“Sorry, Gramps, I was listening to something else.”

Gramps sighed, “I was reading about history.”

“Oh, you mean ancient times, before television,” Peter replied.

“Even before that,” Meg rolled her eyes.

“I know what history is,” Peter defended himself. “It's memorizing dates and explorers and stuff.”

“It's more than that,” Gramps explained. “It's learning about real people and how they lived — their beliefs, government, and economy. By studying history we can see how our ancestors handled different situations. Understanding history also helps us to think about how we should handle modern day situations.”

“Think about our old house — all the families who lived here before us,” said Meg. “It's pretty amazing.”

“Pretty spooky actually. Didn't a Civil War soldier live here?” Peter asked, putting down his magazine. “I think his ghost still lives in the attic.”

“He was a Revolutionary War soldier. Remember, we found his grave in the cemetery? I don't know about his ghost,” Meg replied.

“Revolutionary War. Civil War. What difference does it make?” said Peter.

“There's a big difference,” Gramps said, a bit exasperated. “Each event in history teaches us when good decisions were made and the prices humankind has paid for past mistakes,” Gramps explained. “And it so happens that something arrived recently from an old friend of mine. I'm hoping that it will inspire you to learn more about history. It's rather curious.”

“I love curious things,” exclaimed Meg. “What is it?”

“It's in the hall closet,” Gramps pointed. “The two of you will have to drag it in here.”

Meg and Peter jumped up, raced into the hall and returned, pushing a large old chest.

“It's from the Department of History at the University,” Meg read the tag.

“And it's locked,” said Peter.

“And I have the key,” grinned Gramps. “And a letter that came with it.”

“Well, let's have it, please!” they chimed eagerly.

Gramps handed over the key, and while Meg and Peter struggled with the old lock, he read the letter aloud:

“Wow! I'd really love to solve these cases and return all the artifacts,” said Meg.

“It sounds pretty tricky,” said Peter. “Let's see what's in the chest.”

“What is all this stuff?” Peter asked as he carefully lifted the old artifacts from the chest.

“Here's a stack of paper cards with names on them. They must be the children in history.” Meg blew off the dust and read:

“Hmmm, interesting names,” murmured Meg.

“But how do we know which artifact goes with which child?”

“And where in the United States does each one belong?” said Peter.

“Is there a map or a list of places to go?” asked Peter.

“Hold on, Peter, there are more papers in the trunk.” Meg pulled out seven envelopes. “Each one is labeled with a mystery title and place. These must be Professor Brown's clues to get us started.”

“And look,” said Meg, pulling out a piece of paper, “a map!”

“The mystery places are all across the United States, from Massachusetts to California!” Meg pointed out. She wrote her thoughts and questions in her notebook.

“Where do we start?” Peter sighed. “What are we supposed to do, mail all the artifacts back?”

“Not exactly,” said Gramps.

“I have a little surprise for you that I've already discussed with your mom and dad,” Gramps told them. “We're going on a history mystery tour and we're leaving tomorrow in my minivan.”

“We're going to visit all these places!” exclaimed Peter.

“With a mystery to solve at each one!” Meg grinned.

“That's right,” said Gramps.

“But we don't know which child or object goes with which place,” Peter said, looking baffled.

Meg and Peter stared at the list of names, the map, the objects and the sealed envelopes. “How are we going to figure this out?” Peter asked.