Category Archives: Unsolved

328U: 60s-70s time-travel medieval fantasy, siblings, beautiful illustrations

I checked this book out multiple times from our public library. Author’s name must begin with Bu-Ea based on shelf location (preceded Eager; after Burnett), is not Ruth Chew after reviewing her catalog. Previous helpful respondents from other attempted search sites have suggested A Walk in Wolf Wood (Mary Stewart) or Walk out of the World (Ruth Nichols), which are lovely and similar, but incorrect (my lovely childhood public librarians were not illiterate enough to repeatedly mis-shelve this book, and my memory is solid about where it was located on the shelves).

This is a beautifully illustrated, middle-reader American (I think) fantasy book about a brother/sister or possibly male/female friends who somehow stumbled from their somewhat urban home/apartment building into a medieval setting when coming home from school one day in the woods near their home.

Sister ends up spending time with women from the group (I remember some looming?) and brother with the men (possibly becoming a page/squire?) There is maybe a joust, some magic or Merlin-y magician, the illustrations were very lovely with lots of woods/trees. Cover art and some interior pen+ink drawings reminded me of the cover to the film adaptation of Camelot.

I was born in 1970 and was a very early and voracious reader, so this book cannot have been published much later than 1976; my guess (contextually) is that it’s most-likely a little earlier than that.

Many thanks!!

328T: Kids Travel to Prehistoric Age

I am looking for a book I read in junior high back in the early 80’s. I am guessing it was from the 1950s or 60s because the book was older looking with that canvas style cover and it was green. It was about 4ish siblings (some could have been friends) that went back in time or into another dimension to the prehistoric age. I think they went through some sort of shrubbery door, but not sure. I remember them, of course, trying to get back home, because there were dinosaurs and they didn’t have much food. They came across some sort of plant at some point that sustained them. I thought the title was something about being “Lost in Time”, “Forgotten World/Past”, etc. but just a guess. Thank you kindly for any help. I have Google searched and came across a couple of books about adults getting lost in prehistoric times but this was for sure about kids and I think they were siblings and maybe even a friend with them. Maybe the oldest being early teens down to a 7 year old. Again, thanks and I hope you can help!

328R: Red Head Girl Falls In Love With Ghost Of Civil War Soldier

When I was in high school, likely 1999-2002, I read a young adult romance novel that I thoroughly enjoyed but cannot remember much about it.
I believe it was a paperback book and the cover artwork was drawn…no photos…likely 1980s or early-bird 1990s looking work. There was a red headed girl…high school age I believe…sitting at a headstone in a cemetery…with the ghost of a soldier looking on.
I believe the plot, from what I can recall, is that this red headed high school girl was somewhere back east visiting family…aunt and uncle, perhaps, for the Christmas holiday. She was a history buff and helped her aunt in the family antique shop. She somehow met the ghost of a solider…Civil War, perhaps? He died as a young man and they fell in love and had a relationship. I think it’s the same book but…I believe she met a living young man in town who wanted to romance her over her holiday break, and threw a New Year’s Eve party. Hope this helps. I remember wanting to read all the authors’ books because this one was so enjoyable!

328P: Chicken Eats Way To Giant

Hi there!

My brother asked me about a book my long ago boyfriend read to him and another brother when they were very young (I’d guess 3 and 5 yrs old). I have no idea! Can you help?

Here is his description:
“Do you remember the name of that children’s book that he read to us, about the chicken who ate all of the things in her way on her journey to go see the giant who was eating all the chickens eggs? And then she spit out all those things that she ate at the giant, including a fox, wolf, bear, and the sea?”

I’d love to find the book, as this brother is all grown up now and his first child will be born next month! Would love to get it as a present :).

Thanks for your help!

328N: Four Elements Represented By Four Girls

I’m looking for a book published between 1980 and 1995. It’s about 4 girls representing the 4 elements (air, water, fire, earth). It’s told mainly from the point of view of the fire element, I believe. She might be called the fire brand but I’m not sure. The girls have to connect and retie the knot of elements that is holding the earth. There is a very vivid description of the knot, and the four colors of the cords making it. This book might be part of a series and it might be considered young adult.

328L: Fatherless Girl Protects Younger Brother

Appreciate your help with this book I started reading, but did not finish.  There is a young girl who is protecting a younger brother and I think the father dies(d).  Everyday it’s a trial to go to the bakery and get bread and return home without being beaten and/or raped.  Believe there is also danger from some beast or maybe a wolf.  It’s not modern times but maybe medieval or a time of tribes.  Feel pretty certain the author is well known.  I thought it was Picoult but that doesn’t seem to work out. Maybe King?

328K: English Puritan Girl With Golden Hair In The Sun

I am trying to find a children’s book that I read and enjoyed (obviously) many years ago. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the title, author, or even the main characters’ names! What I do remember: it was historical, set in Holland in the early 1600s, when English Puritans were living there. The main character was an English girl, probably around 16. She became friends with a local girl about the same age, and that girl’s older brother. And her hair was a darkish blonde, but was more golden in the sun, only she couldn’t carry the sun around with her! Any ideas? It would have been published at least 40 years ago, probably more.

328I: Boy Destroys “Talking” Gorilla Costume

I read a book when I was between 9-12, I’m 38 now, I’m not sure if that helps with the timeline, I borrowed it from my grandma but it wasn’t really old, and it was paperback.
There was a little boy, maybe 11, he found a gorilla/orangutan costume (but enough for a grown man) and he started to believe it was talking to him. I remember him holding his hands over candle flames and if I’m remembering correctly, he ended up destroying the costume in the end by throwing it in the fire.
It would be amazing if you can find it, it’s been bothering me for years! Thank you again for your time and I look forward to hearing back!!