Samantha Sutton and the Winter of the Warrior Queen

Gr 4–6—Samantha has barely shaken off her archaeological escapades in Peru when her Uncle Jay is back to collect her and her brother Evan to head to Cambridge for a new dig. Cambridge is Jay's old stomping grounds, and he promises the dig on Wardy Hill will be more run of the mill than their last adventure. It is soon revealed that Jay's old professor, Catesby, has been newly elevated in title and owns the site. Catesby's aspirations are fiscal rather than scientific, and he plans to rush the dig and get his Roman theme park on the land as soon as possible. The only way to stop this is to find an important artifact on site, something that Catesby will go to great lengths to ensure doesn't happen. As Samantha learns more about the history of the area and the possibility of the warrior queen Boudica's presence, she can't help but hope to find something significant. It soon becomes apparent that someone will go to great lengths-and is even willing to harm the archaeologists-to make sure things go in Catesby's favor. Each fast-paced chapter begins with a page from Samantha's prized notebook, complete with illustrations, bits of historical information, and foreshadowing tidbits. Samantha is a refreshingly capable and brave protagonist who relies on her wits to get her out of situations well beyond her 12 years. Reluctant readers and history buffs alike should enjoy the cliff-hanger ending in this adventurous romp.—Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City