Stage Fright (Sebastian Barth Series)

by James Howe

Overview

First there were mysterious messages.
Someone who knows a lot about movie star Michaele Caraway's past is sending her unsigned notes. At first they appear to be innocent fan letters, but then they turn threatening.
Next the accidents started happening.
To someone as superstitious as Michaele, it seems as if her new play is jinxed. But Sebastian Barth knows the backstage mishaps aren't accidents at all.
Who's out to get the movie star?
Sebastian has to find the answer, or opening night may mean the final curtain for the star.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689803383
Publisher:	Aladdin
Publication date:	08/01/1995
Series:	Sebastian Barth Mysteries
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	513,423
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	570L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

James Howe is the author of more than ninety books for young readers. Bunnicula, coauthored by his late wife Deborah and published in 1979, is considered a modern classic of children’s literature. The author has written six highly popular sequels, along with the spinoff series Tales from the House of Bunnicula and Bunnicula and Friends. Among his other books are picture books such as Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores and beginning reader series that include the Pinky and Rex and Houndsley and Catina books. He has also written for older readers. The Misfits, published in 2001, inspired the nationwide antibullying initiative No Name-Calling Week, as well as three sequels, Totally Joe, Addie on the Inside, and Also Known as Elvis. A common theme in James Howe’s books from preschool through teens is the acceptance of difference and being true to oneself. Visit him online at JamesHowe.com.

Editorial Reviews

Graduates of the Bunnicula books can move on to the adventures of young sleuth Sebastian Barth. In the first of these mysteries Sebastian investigates the strange accidents that befall a noted actress; the second book, which PW called ``a tense adventure with laugh-out-loud moments,'' involves a ghost and puzzling notes from one of Sebastian's friends. Ages 9-12. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 5-7 Young sleuth Sebastian Barth is back to solve a theatrical mystery. Sebastian has a part in a summer stock production called The House of Cards. Not only is it a world premiere, but the star is Michaele Caraway, a famous movie star. From the very beginning of rehearsals, however, the play seems jinxed. The target is Michaele Caraway. At first the actresss is plagued by her own superstitions, but soon she begins receiving gifts and messages from a secret admirer. The messages turn threatening, and Michaele becomes the victim of several suspicious on-stage accidents. Sebastian has many suspects among the cast and crew, including the outgoing director and the moody playwright. It turns out that there is more than one mystery here, and Sebastian ties it all together just in time. Although it is a surprise when the culprit's identity is revealed, the villain's motives for terrorizing Michaele are just not believable. While there's not much fright in Stage Fright , the setting and characters will hold enough interest for those looking for a low-key mystery. Drew Stevenson, Tompkins County Public Library, Ithaca, N.Y.

School Library Journal