Secrets in the Hills: A Josefina Mystery

I recently found the american girl series I love them even though I'm a adult their great for a nice easy read I'll be getting more and the copy I received was in like new condition very satisfied

Purchased this book for my 11 year old daughter for a Christmas gift. She had read it before the day was over! Another quality story from the American Girls series. My daughter loves the adventures in the books as well as the good morals the girls have.

Out of all the American girl mysteries, this is one of my favorites, if not my favorite! if your looking for adventure, i would get this book. Its really exciting when two strangers come, and there all shocked when they see one of thems a American! I think this is a great book, and if you like the other mysteries, you'll love this one like me! Hope i helped!

The year is 1680. Ten-year-old Maria Josefina Montoya has heard all kinds of stories and legends about the countryside and hills surrounding her families rancho. From La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, a ghost who haunts the countryside, crying for her drowned children; to the tales of the silver and gold that is hidden, and marked with peculiar designs in the hills. While the legends are enjoyable to learn about, and tell while surrounded by friends and family at campfires, Josefina tends to feel that these stories are untrue. They are just legends that people tell. However, when an American and an injured Hispanic man searching for his families buried treasure arrive at her Rancho, Josefina begins to take the legends more seriously. Suddenly, as she helps the injured man regain his health, thoughts of the treasure begin swirling through her brain, and she feels that it is her duty to help locate the treasure that has evaded him and his family for so many years. As if that weren't enough, Josefina is dealing with family troubles, as her older sister, Francisca, has been bitten by the green-eyed monster, and is suddenly jealous of Josefina's studies as a curandera with Tia Magdalena. Now, Josefina must find time to locate an illustrious treasure, play curandera by keeping the local townspeople well-maintained and cared for until Tia Magdalena returns home, and make amends with Francisca by doing her fair-share of chores, otherwise her problems just may take on a life of their own. While I obviously grew out of the AMERICAN GIRLS tales years ago, I am pleased to admit that the new line of American Girl inspired mysteries is enjoyable even for those who have progressed in the reading level department, but still want to experience excitement with some of their favorite characters. While I have never read any previous books starring Josefina, I have vowed that I will read through the entire mystery series, and was quite pleased with the tale Josefina was involved in. Josefina is a fun, spirited character, whose discipline in learning to become a curandera, and remembering the different remedies to heal the sick around her is admirable; while her large, boisterous family, and the various celebrations they take part in are enjoyable, and make the reader want to join in the festivities. Those who enjoy ghost stories, urban legends, and historical tales will find the facts about hidden gold and the Weeping Woman enjoyable; and American Girl fans will adore having the opportunity to read more about lovable Josefina. A colorful, informative tale about Josefina, and the land she calls her home. Erika Sorocco Freelance Reviewer

"Secrets in the Hills" is the latest book in the American Girl series about Josefina as well as a book in American Girl's Mystery series for older readers. The main series of six novels for each historical American Girl character (Kaya, Felicity, Josefina, Addy, Kirsten, Samantha, Kit, and Molly) are written at a second to third grade reading level. The Mystery books for each character are longer chapter books with more complex themes and written around a sixth grade reading level. As a long time adult collector and fan of Josefina and New Mexico culture and history, I was thrilled to see the release of a new novel with Josefina, set in historic New Mexico. I was not disappointed. The themes and images of early New Mexico are beautifully interwoven. It held my attention and kept me eagerly reading to see how the pieces of the mystery fit together. The themes in this book include the tale of "La Llorona" (a Spanish-Mexican tale about a weeping woman at the river), and Josefina's growing experience as a young, apprentice "curandera" (woman who heals others with herbs). She also learns more about the experiences of those taken captive by other groups and meets men looking for treasure buried in the hills during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. Although one can read this book without having read the other Josefina books, I would highly recommend reading the six book series sold as a boxed set and "Josefina's World" before reading this book. The themes and characters from "Josefina Learns a Lesson" and "Happy Birthday, Josefina" are repeated in this book. "Josefina's World" has illustrations and short pieces of information that may prove helpful to more visual learners. "Secrets in the Hills" may be a much richer experience for the reader with this background knowledge of Josefina and New Mexico.