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Secrets Underground: North America's Buried Past
"Uncover the spine-tingling mysteries and eerie surprises that lurk right under your feet! "
In "Secrets Underground," history buff Elizabeth MacLeod takes readers deep down, down, down below the earth's surface, and introduces them to a completely different world -- sometimes terrifying, often baffling, and always fascinating.
Discover: the Civil War secrets carefully concealed in Organ Cave, West Virginia the top-secret equipment that lies deep below Grand Central Terminal in New York City the network of tunnels in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, that once hid victims of persecution -- and illegal liquor transported by notorious Chicago gangsters how the Aztec city Tenochtitlan, the largest and most powerful city of its time in what is now North America, nearly disappeared without a trace the abandoned ships buried beneath San Francisco that reveal the city's history as a top destination for fortune seekers during the Gold Rush the nuclear shelter the U.S. government kept hidden for decades underneath an exclusive resort in West Virginia called The Greenbrier.
Guiding readers through these fascinating places, MacLeod reveals their long-kept secrets and deftly explains how these lost and hidden subterranean passages, spaces, and caves answer decades-old puzzles, help us understand our own past, and lead us to discover what life was really like in eras gone by.
In "Secrets Underground," history buff Elizabeth MacLeod takes readers deep down, down, down below the earth's surface, and introduces them to a completely different world -- sometimes terrifying, often baffling, and always fascinating.
Discover: the Civil War secrets carefully concealed in Organ Cave, West Virginia the top-secret equipment that lies deep below Grand Central Terminal in New York City the network of tunnels in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, that once hid victims of persecution -- and illegal liquor transported by notorious Chicago gangsters how the Aztec city Tenochtitlan, the largest and most powerful city of its time in what is now North America, nearly disappeared without a trace the abandoned ships buried beneath San Francisco that reveal the city's history as a top destination for fortune seekers during the Gold Rush the nuclear shelter the U.S. government kept hidden for decades underneath an exclusive resort in West Virginia called The Greenbrier.
Guiding readers through these fascinating places, MacLeod reveals their long-kept secrets and deftly explains how these lost and hidden subterranean passages, spaces, and caves answer decades-old puzzles, help us understand our own past, and lead us to discover what life was really like in eras gone by.
96 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2014
49 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth MacLeod
114 books31 followersElizabeth MacLeod was born on October 21 in Toronto. As a child Liz liked to read Nancy Drew and Anne of Green Gables books, swim, sing, dance, and hang out with her friends. Encouraged by her parents, she began writing stories and poetry for her own enjoyment at the age of 10, her favorite subjects being mad scientists and tyrants who threatened to take over the world.
Today Liz is inspired by almost anything--her friends, reading, and the funny, beautiful world around her. Her first job in publishing was at OWL magazine, and Liz credits editor Sylvia Funston as one of her mentors. Liz also names Valerie Wyatt, a writer and editor, as an important influence on her work, as well as a good friend.
An avid reader, Liz enjoyed digging up amazing facts and researching historic royals and their countries and customs for Royal Murder (2008). She encourages anyone with a desire to write to "just do it." Even if no one ever reads it, the joy that comes from expressing yourself through words is reward enough. Liz adds that writing takes practice, and with each day you are bound to improve.
Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their two cats, Smedley and Cosmo.
She enjoys keeping active, spending time with friends, music, theater, and cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Liz plans to continue writing about a broad spectrum of topics in both fiction and non-fiction, and would like to work on more picture books in the future.
Today Liz is inspired by almost anything--her friends, reading, and the funny, beautiful world around her. Her first job in publishing was at OWL magazine, and Liz credits editor Sylvia Funston as one of her mentors. Liz also names Valerie Wyatt, a writer and editor, as an important influence on her work, as well as a good friend.
An avid reader, Liz enjoyed digging up amazing facts and researching historic royals and their countries and customs for Royal Murder (2008). She encourages anyone with a desire to write to "just do it." Even if no one ever reads it, the joy that comes from expressing yourself through words is reward enough. Liz adds that writing takes practice, and with each day you are bound to improve.
Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their two cats, Smedley and Cosmo.
She enjoys keeping active, spending time with friends, music, theater, and cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Liz plans to continue writing about a broad spectrum of topics in both fiction and non-fiction, and would like to work on more picture books in the future.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 31, 2014
As usual, I paid nothing for this book but instead received a copy for review from NetGalley. Despite that kind consideration I give my candid thoughts below.
"Secrets Underground" is a very accessible yet detailed story of six different locations on the continent that have something buried underground. In some cases it's actual open passages or rooms and in others it's just remnants of some bygone era. The average section is about 15 pages long and features 12 photographs from half a page in size to thumbnails so this is about 70% text and 30% color photos. It's primarily textual and probably appropriate for 10-12 year-olds.
On the positive side, the author has chosen some very intriguing locales and it makes me want to travel more just reading a bit about them. Also, as I said the text is detailed enough to keep a young reader's interest but very careful to define words that kids probably wouldn't know.
To the negative, many of the photos are rather small and some pages are decorated with abominable clip art of digging implements. The graphical layout seems rather unprofessional and at times distracting.
In summary, the book lives up to its name and offers widely varied information on those mysterious bits lurking underground. It could use a bit more polish but it's sufficient to keep kids interest.
"Secrets Underground" is a very accessible yet detailed story of six different locations on the continent that have something buried underground. In some cases it's actual open passages or rooms and in others it's just remnants of some bygone era. The average section is about 15 pages long and features 12 photographs from half a page in size to thumbnails so this is about 70% text and 30% color photos. It's primarily textual and probably appropriate for 10-12 year-olds.
On the positive side, the author has chosen some very intriguing locales and it makes me want to travel more just reading a bit about them. Also, as I said the text is detailed enough to keep a young reader's interest but very careful to define words that kids probably wouldn't know.
To the negative, many of the photos are rather small and some pages are decorated with abominable clip art of digging implements. The graphical layout seems rather unprofessional and at times distracting.
In summary, the book lives up to its name and offers widely varied information on those mysterious bits lurking underground. It could use a bit more polish but it's sufficient to keep kids interest.
March 27, 2021
Who knew? What a great summary of different types of underground living and working.
I especially liked the chapter on Moose Jaw. I am a playwright, and it has given me some terrific ideas of how to solve my issue of how people got trapped underground.
I especially liked the chapter on Moose Jaw. I am a playwright, and it has given me some terrific ideas of how to solve my issue of how people got trapped underground.
Want to read
April 14, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
August 11, 2016
An Interesting Range of Subjects; Consistently Age Appropriate
This book was a happy find, and it did a nice job of overcoming the two weaknesses you see a lot in non-fiction for younger readers. First, it actually describes a varied and interesting range of "underground secrets", complemented by numerous sidebars that add references to and descriptions of many more sites related to the main ones. So, it truly delivers on its promise. Second, it seemed to me, (and I claim no real expertise here), that it was written in a style and at a depth that stayed consistently at the target audience's reading and interest level.
I've now read a number of early middle grade non-fiction books that sound like they will be interesting - introductions to astronomy, surveys of forensic science, anatomy books. These books can sometimes be disappointing because they either just peter out or they veer off into topics of little interest or they get tied up in points of only technical interest. Well, this book seems to be composed of underground secrets that are actually fun to read about. You get the ancient Aztec capital under Mexico City, the abandoned sailing ships that San Francisco's waterfront is built on, caves, tunnels, old nuclear survival bunkers, the famous prohibition era tunnels of Moose Jaw, and dozens of sidebars about more underground cities, more tunnels, abandoned underground railways, and so on. This is a fairly short book, and there are a zillion other cool places you could add to it, but for what it is it seems like a book that could entertain, inform and fire the imagination.
As to style, many books are all over the place. In spots the books are dumbed down with "goofy" jokes, and fart humor, and "...for dummies" humor that reminds a kid reader that, apparently, he's just a kid. This book doesn't do that. On the other hand, it's not just a dry recitation of facts; the author adds a bit of oomph, and knows how to tell an interesting tale without talking down to the reader. Photos, diagrams and illustrations are clear and helpful, and serve to sustain interest in the text.
The upshot is that if you have a young reader who likes archaeology or history or just articles about secret and hidden stuff, this could be a nice choice.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
This book was a happy find, and it did a nice job of overcoming the two weaknesses you see a lot in non-fiction for younger readers. First, it actually describes a varied and interesting range of "underground secrets", complemented by numerous sidebars that add references to and descriptions of many more sites related to the main ones. So, it truly delivers on its promise. Second, it seemed to me, (and I claim no real expertise here), that it was written in a style and at a depth that stayed consistently at the target audience's reading and interest level.
I've now read a number of early middle grade non-fiction books that sound like they will be interesting - introductions to astronomy, surveys of forensic science, anatomy books. These books can sometimes be disappointing because they either just peter out or they veer off into topics of little interest or they get tied up in points of only technical interest. Well, this book seems to be composed of underground secrets that are actually fun to read about. You get the ancient Aztec capital under Mexico City, the abandoned sailing ships that San Francisco's waterfront is built on, caves, tunnels, old nuclear survival bunkers, the famous prohibition era tunnels of Moose Jaw, and dozens of sidebars about more underground cities, more tunnels, abandoned underground railways, and so on. This is a fairly short book, and there are a zillion other cool places you could add to it, but for what it is it seems like a book that could entertain, inform and fire the imagination.
As to style, many books are all over the place. In spots the books are dumbed down with "goofy" jokes, and fart humor, and "...for dummies" humor that reminds a kid reader that, apparently, he's just a kid. This book doesn't do that. On the other hand, it's not just a dry recitation of facts; the author adds a bit of oomph, and knows how to tell an interesting tale without talking down to the reader. Photos, diagrams and illustrations are clear and helpful, and serve to sustain interest in the text.
The upshot is that if you have a young reader who likes archaeology or history or just articles about secret and hidden stuff, this could be a nice choice.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
August 13, 2016
I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher (Annick Press) via NetGalley. A version of this review is on my education blog and has also been submitted to NetGalley.
Secrets Underground by Elizabeth MacLeod is a non-fiction book aimed at readers with about a grade 9/10 reading level. The book explores the hidden artifacts below the surface of six different places: Mexico City, San Francisco, Organ Cave in West Virginia, Moose Jaw, New York City, and The Greenbrier in West Virginia. Each chapter describes the buried secret and the historical event surrounding it. For example, the chapter on Moose Jaw talks about the tunnels where Chinese immigrants hid during the building of the Canadian Railway and about how gangsters used the tunnels during Prohibition.
The subject matter is high interest and the historic events are well chosen and diverse. The writing is clear and engaging, and the structure of each chapter, and of the book as a whole, is good.
The layout of the book is also appealing and well done. My one slight annoyance is the distracting nature of "Did you know?" fact boxes that I find interrupt the main narrative. However, this is a very common layout style for textbooks, and I think it's probably just a personal peeve of mine and a matter of taste.
Overall, I liked this book a lot. I think I'd consider using it as an assigned text for a lower reading level group of young adult literacy learners, because it's high interest while still being a manageable length and reading level. The chapter-by-chapter structure would make it easy for either independent reading where students chose specific topics of interest, or for reading as a whole class at various points throughout the semester.
Secrets Underground by Elizabeth MacLeod is a non-fiction book aimed at readers with about a grade 9/10 reading level. The book explores the hidden artifacts below the surface of six different places: Mexico City, San Francisco, Organ Cave in West Virginia, Moose Jaw, New York City, and The Greenbrier in West Virginia. Each chapter describes the buried secret and the historical event surrounding it. For example, the chapter on Moose Jaw talks about the tunnels where Chinese immigrants hid during the building of the Canadian Railway and about how gangsters used the tunnels during Prohibition.
The subject matter is high interest and the historic events are well chosen and diverse. The writing is clear and engaging, and the structure of each chapter, and of the book as a whole, is good.
The layout of the book is also appealing and well done. My one slight annoyance is the distracting nature of "Did you know?" fact boxes that I find interrupt the main narrative. However, this is a very common layout style for textbooks, and I think it's probably just a personal peeve of mine and a matter of taste.
Overall, I liked this book a lot. I think I'd consider using it as an assigned text for a lower reading level group of young adult literacy learners, because it's high interest while still being a manageable length and reading level. The chapter-by-chapter structure would make it easy for either independent reading where students chose specific topics of interest, or for reading as a whole class at various points throughout the semester.
January 3, 2016
I thought this book was fascinating! It explored some really interesting underground places in North America that have been created and used by people through time for various reasons. I found it interesting to start with the remains of the Aztec city on the island of Tenochtitlan and continue towards the present with ships from the California gold rush, a cave used by the Confederate Army during the Civil War, underground tunnels used during Prohibition, underground railroad machinery, and a Cold War shelter for U.S. politicians. Several of these places were things I had never specifically read about before and were explained clearly and concisely.
The book is very clearly divided into sections that are short and manageable for young readers. The events are explained in a way that makes sense in the surrounding historical context but is not overwhelming. Historical illustrations and photographs are included along with the text. I did find some of the sidebar notes to be a bit distracting. These often included information about similar types of underground finds in other cities, and although they were interesting, they sometimes distracted focus from the main text on the page. I might recommend to younger readers that they read all of the main text in a section and then go back to read the sidebars at the end.
I would definitely recommend this book to middle school students interested in history.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
The book is very clearly divided into sections that are short and manageable for young readers. The events are explained in a way that makes sense in the surrounding historical context but is not overwhelming. Historical illustrations and photographs are included along with the text. I did find some of the sidebar notes to be a bit distracting. These often included information about similar types of underground finds in other cities, and although they were interesting, they sometimes distracted focus from the main text on the page. I might recommend to younger readers that they read all of the main text in a section and then go back to read the sidebars at the end.
I would definitely recommend this book to middle school students interested in history.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
March 19, 2014
In an adventure spanning several centuries young readers will be delighted with the little book as they learn about secret tunnels, hidden chambers and unexplored caves. From a destroyed and long-buried Aztec city to a Civil War cave that did much to aid the Confederacy readers will discover loads of trivia while being introduced to other relevant information that will leave them wanting more.
I would have LOVED Secrets Underground as a grade-school student. With all of the photos and the basic facts it would have kept me entertained for quite some time. It's to the point but it isn't cut-and-dried either so even the child who doesn't love reading or history shouldn't have any issues getting interested in this one. I mean, after all, it's a subject one can hardly go wrong with!
DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we received an electronic copy of “Secrets Underground” from Netgalley.com provided by the publishers, Annick Press Ltd., in exchange for our honest review.
reetchampionbookreviews.wordpress.com
I would have LOVED Secrets Underground as a grade-school student. With all of the photos and the basic facts it would have kept me entertained for quite some time. It's to the point but it isn't cut-and-dried either so even the child who doesn't love reading or history shouldn't have any issues getting interested in this one. I mean, after all, it's a subject one can hardly go wrong with!
DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we received an electronic copy of “Secrets Underground” from Netgalley.com provided by the publishers, Annick Press Ltd., in exchange for our honest review.
reetchampionbookreviews.wordpress.com
July 23, 2016
I was intrigued by this book when I saw it because I've been a fan of the TV show Cities of the Underworld on the History Channel. If you are a fan of that series, you will definitely want to pick of this book.
The first chapter interested me the most as it was on a topic that I teach, the Aztecs. It explains the history of the Aztecs from how they chose the city of Tenochtitlan as their capital to their defeat by the Spanish. It then explains how the city got buried and how it was uncovered. It concludes with what is happening now with the discovery.
The rest of the book is similar covering ships buried in San Francisco during the Gold Rush, a forgotten cave used during the Civil War in West Virginia, underground tunnels used during the Prohibition in Canada, Grand Central Terminal's underground tunnels in New York City, and the bunker under the Greenbrier hotel in West Virginia.
There are also facts that can be found in the margins of the books that give information about other places with similar "hidden treasures."
This is definitely a book to have if you teach any aspect of US History. As a lover of history, I was throughly intrigued with every aspect of the book. As a teacher, I really think that my students will love learning these unusual facts about our country.
The first chapter interested me the most as it was on a topic that I teach, the Aztecs. It explains the history of the Aztecs from how they chose the city of Tenochtitlan as their capital to their defeat by the Spanish. It then explains how the city got buried and how it was uncovered. It concludes with what is happening now with the discovery.
The rest of the book is similar covering ships buried in San Francisco during the Gold Rush, a forgotten cave used during the Civil War in West Virginia, underground tunnels used during the Prohibition in Canada, Grand Central Terminal's underground tunnels in New York City, and the bunker under the Greenbrier hotel in West Virginia.
There are also facts that can be found in the margins of the books that give information about other places with similar "hidden treasures."
This is definitely a book to have if you teach any aspect of US History. As a lover of history, I was throughly intrigued with every aspect of the book. As a teacher, I really think that my students will love learning these unusual facts about our country.
December 15, 2014
The sites chosen are quite varied and fascinating. The author has used historical records to decide what "under grounds" are explored. All the sites are historically interesting. The images and period photos add additional facts about the sites. It is a great book to create interest in the continent of North America for students in school. There is much more to history than what is above ground.
A book that will interest students and adults as these are places where many people are not aware of these historical sites. It is well written. I hope the author will continue to write about other continents' hidden sites.
Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from the publisher from NetGalley. I was not obliged to write a favourable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
A book that will interest students and adults as these are places where many people are not aware of these historical sites. It is well written. I hope the author will continue to write about other continents' hidden sites.
Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from the publisher from NetGalley. I was not obliged to write a favourable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
July 17, 2014
The intriguing content contained in this book would interest any would be archeologists. The color photographs and primary sources take the reader back in history. They are able to imagine what it was like not only to uncover such an interesting find, but also what it was like during that time period in history. The table of contents, index, title , subtitles and other reference aids provide easy access to information for a research project. With the implementation of the “Common Core”, this would be a great book to recommend for a reader who is interested in history and archeology. The fact that all of these places still exist in modern day, makes it easier for the young reader to relate with what he is reading.
August 30, 2016
History and Secrets and Underground...I was so excited to get this and couldn't wait to read it. The book is interesting but I found myself skimming several sections; too much textbook-ish-ness, not enough fun. I liked the background colors and that went well with the black and white photos, but something just seemed off. Perhaps the layout - some of the stories (or sections of stories) were long and not contained on a 2-page spread which meant having to read the sidebars, distracting from the main story, before turning the page.
I would recommend this to those 14 and older, but don't see many children 10-13 sticking with it.
I would recommend this to those 14 and older, but don't see many children 10-13 sticking with it.
July 14, 2014
I liked it. Didn't love it but I liked it well enough.
Anything underground and supposedly "off limits" is automatically at least a little bit interesting.
Calling it juvenile non-fix is a little bit of a stretch, though. A few but not the majority of strong 4th and 5th graders could read it. Middle school, for sure. The question is would they? Would need highlighting and then readers would find it. The writing style was not as engaging as it might have been, considering the subject matter. This would be a possibility for an additional purchase but not a must have.
I found the sidebars distracting. Too often any connection they had with the main text on the page was tenuous at best.
Anything underground and supposedly "off limits" is automatically at least a little bit interesting.
Calling it juvenile non-fix is a little bit of a stretch, though. A few but not the majority of strong 4th and 5th graders could read it. Middle school, for sure. The question is would they? Would need highlighting and then readers would find it. The writing style was not as engaging as it might have been, considering the subject matter. This would be a possibility for an additional purchase but not a must have.
I found the sidebars distracting. Too often any connection they had with the main text on the page was tenuous at best.
August 17, 2014
Our entire family enjoyed this book! There are six exhaustively researched tales of fascinating secrets hidden underground. From hidden temples to gangsters to nuclear shelters, you just never know what you may find hidden away underground! MacLeod is one of our favorite authors for non-fiction that we can read right along with the kids. She writes so well and the books are so enjoyable, the kids don't realize they are learning something!
This nifty book has a TON of photos, illustrations and sidebars to bring these hidden sites to life. There is also a wonderful bibliography at the end for even more reading. Highly recommend!! I received a copy of the book-the review is my own.
This nifty book has a TON of photos, illustrations and sidebars to bring these hidden sites to life. There is also a wonderful bibliography at the end for even more reading. Highly recommend!! I received a copy of the book-the review is my own.
April 19, 2014
Elizabeth MacLeod is a name I delight to see on Canadian/North American history books for children. I'm quite fascinated with this topic and enjoyed the book immensely. Covering the whole continent famous underground places are discussed in Mexico,US,and Canada. Each place starts with a fictional teaser paragraph or so and then turns into straight nonfiction. Lots of pictures and told in an engaging voice. This is an entirely readable history/geography themed book with a touch of science. I ended up googling a couple of the places mentioned and added them to my hope to visit someday list.
January 31, 2016
This was a neat, historical, non-fiction read. Some featured items I had knowledge of already, while other places were knew to discover (i.e. The buried ships of San Fransisco). This book had a lot of images to coincide with the information. I liked the info boxes that told of even further underground places. I'm not sure that all children/youth (the target audience) would pick up this book, although some might. However, I do think most adults would find this to be a short, interesting, and informative read.
February 5, 2014
This book, written for upper elementary and middle school age children tells the stories of 6 different underground places from the buried ancient Mexico City ruins, to a cave, ship, tunnels and secret underground bunkers. It has a short fictionalized story about each place along with facts and photos, drawings and maps. I think that children will enjoy the book and learn some interesting facts from it. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.
October 31, 2014
"Secrets Underground" is a fascinating look at all of the cool things worldwide that have been found underneath us. As time goes on, new things are built on top of old, and abandoned sites are cover by debris. Occasionally these are uncovered and when that happens, it is truly exciting to see a piece of history on display. Older kids as well as adults will enjoy this dive into the past.
February 7, 2014
The author describes 6 underground places with historical significance. I thought it was an interesting topic to read and learn about. It was well written. I like how it was segmented and I think this will help younger readers.
August 20, 2015
Short but good nonfiction book about things buried underneath some famous cities. Lots of sidebars with additional info.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews