The Light in the Cellar: A Molly Mystery (American Girl Mysteries Series) Book

Molly wishes that she and her English friend Emily had exciting volunteer jobs that really helped in the fight to win World War Two. Instead, they're magazine delivery girls at Oak Knoll Hospital. Soon, however, Molly and Emily start to suspect that something very un-patriotic is going on at Oak Knoll--and their snooping leads them into deep trouble! Girls will enjoy solving the mystery, right along with Molly and Emily. An illustrated "Looking Back" section provides historical context.

Children's Literature

Molly and her British friend, Emily, are out biking when they notice a light in the cellar of the supposedly unoccupied Greystone Manor. Before they can explore that mystery, an even bigger one comes their way: sacks of precious sugar are missing from Red Cross Headquarters! To pitch in with the war effort, Molly and Emily deliver magazines to Oak Knolls, a convalescent hospital which is also missing sugar! The mysteries merge further when Molly meets the owner of Greystone Manor, who asks her to bring back a pair of eyeglasses from her home. Frightened, but unable to refuse the nice old lady's request, the girls retrieve the glasses. Before they leave, a truck pulls up and packages are brought inside. Scared but undiscovered, Molly and Emily hurry away, inadvertently taking the key along. Later, when Molly returns it, she peers through the cellar window and sees sacks of sugar everywhere! Despite her fears, she determines to catch the thief and get the much-needed sugar back. Accompanied by friends and siblings, Molly devises a clever plan to do just that. This is another enjoyable entry in the "American Girl" series. Lots of historic information is sprinkled throughout (rationing; Victory gardens; FDR's fireside chats), but it's eerie how timely this tale is, too. It's hard not to think about our own soldiers overseas again today...Extras include a fun recipe for an eggless, butterless (but still chocolatey!) "Wacky Cake," and further explanations of rationing.