AMELIA LOST: THE LIFE AND DISAPPEARANCE OF AMELIA EARHART

The title tells us what we all know about Amelia Earhart: Amelia was Lost. Yet the introductory chapter about her final days is so rivetingly developed and sprinkled with possibilities that hope is rekindled. Following this chapter, which ends with the question "Where is Amelia?", a dual narrative begins with a straightforward but interesting chronological biography of Earhart interspersed with chapters that continue the mystery of the first chapter. Finally as the biography reaches the end of Earhart's life, the chapters converge, and it is reaffirmed that Amelia is indeed lost. This conceit works well. The pages of the chapters about the mysterious final days are set on a different background, and the biographical chapters flow smoothly around them. Ages 10-14 Maria E. Gentle