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American Girl History Mysteries #3
The Night Flyers
These suspenseful stories will leave readers on the edge of their seats! Each spine-tingling tale features a brave, clever girl solving an intriguing mystery at an important time in America's past.
When Pam's homing pigeons disappear while her father's away fighting in World War I, she uncovers evidence of an enemy spy.
When Pam's homing pigeons disappear while her father's away fighting in World War I, she uncovers evidence of an enemy spy.
145 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
21 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth McDavid Jones
25 books27 followersElizabeth McDavid Jones was born in 1958 in South Carolina. When she was a child, she moved in Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from East Carolina University and started a career in social work. When Jones earned a master's degree in literature in 1996, she changed her career to a university literature. During this period, she began writing children's books. She is a mother of four children.
She is the author of nine books and many magazine and serial stories for young people. Her books have sold over 750,000 copies. She is particularly known for her work writing with American Girl.
She is the author of nine books and many magazine and serial stories for young people. Her books have sold over 750,000 copies. She is particularly known for her work writing with American Girl.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 7, 2020
I think that somewhere along the line, American Girl has sidetracked from what they originally set out to do as the Pleasant Company- it used to be about making American history interesting, making any girl feel that she could have been apart of it. Now, what are the goals? Just selling dolls and clothes. I say that because, AG never needed to market dolls with this series. These books stood on their own, they were well done, and a tasteful way of introducing young girls into a more 'grown up' genre, while still educating and giving a sense of historical interest and accuracy. I'm still enjoying how well written this series is, and touching some history that I'd forgotten I'd learned. And I'm not slamming AG for their dolls, because of course, I dreamed about having my own Felicity doll to enjoy reading the books with (and so I grew up and became a collector of AG dolls, lol), but in the new catalogs and websites, it feels only about selling dolls in trendy clothes. The sense of history and teaching girl history has been lost along the wayside, and I'm sorry for that.
October 17, 2022
These AG History Mysteries are a lot of fun. They are about standalone characters but teach kids about a piece of history not covered by the main AG characters. The mysteries are not gruesome (no murder), but suspenseful enough to keep the reader’s interest. This one was quite well written with beautiful prose and realistic regional dialogue. Enjoyed reading it with my 10-year-old daughter.
February 21, 2020
This was a cute and informative mystery. I liked the pigeons and how well the leading gal worked with them. I didn’t know about this angle to WWI, so I was glad to learn about it. I might just have to research more about it now.
Content: two profane words, replacement expletives, smoking (including underage smoking)
Content: two profane words, replacement expletives, smoking (including underage smoking)
August 6, 2012
The now-defunct History Mysteries were each one-off stories, set in different times and places in American history. They're a little longer and aimed a little higher than the main American Girl books. The Night Flyers is set in World War I era North Carolina. This particular plucky girl detective sets out to discover who's stealing her birds and if the new man in town with a strange accent is a German spy. There's actually quite a bit going on here, but it all ties together fairly well in the end.
December 6, 2021
I think the story had the potential to be more interesting but setting it a month before the end of the war (WWI in this case) made the stakes seem much lower. It was pretty easy to tell that the person Pam was convinced was the culprit wasn’t it, but the revelation of the true culprit keeps you guessing.
January 18, 2008
This book is good it tells you that things aren't always like they seem. Also tells you that the people you don't like sometimes aren't all that bad.
January 28, 2015
This was an excellent history mystery by Elizabeth McDavid Jones. I remember distinctly not liking one of her books, so I was hesitant to read this one, but it was very good! I would love to read more of her books to see if I like them!
This story is about Pam Lowder, a young girl who has an excellent talent with training animals. She and her Papa have trained some of the best pigeons in the country. But when her Papa goes off to fight in the Great War, Pam is left to take care of the pigeons by herself. Eventually you find that an interesting new stranger has arrived in Pam's small, seemingly insignificant town. He has a foreign accent and his behavior is relatively strange to everyone in the town. He is very secretive and unusual. The townsfolk are sure that he is a German spy. What startles Pam is that he is extremely interested in her Papa's pigeons, which she refuses to sell to him, even for a shocking offer of two hundred dollars. Around the time that she refuses to sell the birds, they start to go missing. Pam is sure that the foreigner is connected with the missing birds, and she is willing to spy on HIM to find out the truth.
This book won an award for children's best mystery, and I can honestly say that I can see why. This is one of those mysteries that makes sense when you look back at the plot after you've read the book. I loved reading it, and devoured the book in two days!
This story is about Pam Lowder, a young girl who has an excellent talent with training animals. She and her Papa have trained some of the best pigeons in the country. But when her Papa goes off to fight in the Great War, Pam is left to take care of the pigeons by herself. Eventually you find that an interesting new stranger has arrived in Pam's small, seemingly insignificant town. He has a foreign accent and his behavior is relatively strange to everyone in the town. He is very secretive and unusual. The townsfolk are sure that he is a German spy. What startles Pam is that he is extremely interested in her Papa's pigeons, which she refuses to sell to him, even for a shocking offer of two hundred dollars. Around the time that she refuses to sell the birds, they start to go missing. Pam is sure that the foreigner is connected with the missing birds, and she is willing to spy on HIM to find out the truth.
This book won an award for children's best mystery, and I can honestly say that I can see why. This is one of those mysteries that makes sense when you look back at the plot after you've read the book. I loved reading it, and devoured the book in two days!
February 17, 2016
This story takes place in the U.S. In 1918, late in World War I. Pam Louder is a young girl who lives with her mother, with her father away fighting in the war. Pam loves to raise pigeons and has managed to train some to be able to fly at night.
Into the area comes a man with a German accent who has an interest in pigeons and wants to buy Pam's, but she's not selling them. He seems to be spending money rather freely, but gradually Pam begins to wonder if he is actually a German spy. Propaganda of the time was virulently anti-German, and people expected spies to be everywhere.
Things go bad when, one-by-one, Pam's pigeons start to disappear. She goes in search of the stranger's house and finds that he has lots and lots of pigeons already. Things aren't as simple as they seem, though, and Pam ends up suspecting a number of different people, in addition to which she actually ends up becoming involved in an important project to help the American army in their fight in Europe.
There are lots of twists and turns in the story and it proves to be quite interesting, including the historical section which explains just how pigeons were of vital importance to the war effort for both sides. Definitely one of the better and more interesting books in the series.
Into the area comes a man with a German accent who has an interest in pigeons and wants to buy Pam's, but she's not selling them. He seems to be spending money rather freely, but gradually Pam begins to wonder if he is actually a German spy. Propaganda of the time was virulently anti-German, and people expected spies to be everywhere.
Things go bad when, one-by-one, Pam's pigeons start to disappear. She goes in search of the stranger's house and finds that he has lots and lots of pigeons already. Things aren't as simple as they seem, though, and Pam ends up suspecting a number of different people, in addition to which she actually ends up becoming involved in an important project to help the American army in their fight in Europe.
There are lots of twists and turns in the story and it proves to be quite interesting, including the historical section which explains just how pigeons were of vital importance to the war effort for both sides. Definitely one of the better and more interesting books in the series.
September 13, 2022
I will never be able to get over how American Girl made such an impact on the historical fiction for young girls genre. I truly believe that they are one of the biggest reasons why I became such a history lover and why, to this day, historical fiction remains one of my preferred genres.
But anyway, enough rambling.
This was a great story that I read in an afternoon. I remember reading it when I was younger and enjoying it, and reading it as an adult, I still very much enjoyed it. Jones has a way of driving the story forward with a mystery that even as an adult, I wasn't able to solve. I grew fond of Pam, and I appreciated how her story offered a glimpse into the time period. Plus, I liked how that "glimpse" was historically accurate and how it tied into the historical text at the end. Not to mention that Jones' writing was beautifully descriptive--I mean, I was there with Pam in the woods and in the swamp.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I'd recommend this one if you are looking for a great historical fiction for the young reader in your life...or if you are a young reader yourself!
But anyway, enough rambling.
This was a great story that I read in an afternoon. I remember reading it when I was younger and enjoying it, and reading it as an adult, I still very much enjoyed it. Jones has a way of driving the story forward with a mystery that even as an adult, I wasn't able to solve. I grew fond of Pam, and I appreciated how her story offered a glimpse into the time period. Plus, I liked how that "glimpse" was historically accurate and how it tied into the historical text at the end. Not to mention that Jones' writing was beautifully descriptive--I mean, I was there with Pam in the woods and in the swamp.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I'd recommend this one if you are looking for a great historical fiction for the young reader in your life...or if you are a young reader yourself!
January 29, 2016
Yes, this is another of my collection of books acquired from teaching 4th grade. And yes, it's an American Girl book. But soooo good for a quick little read! Loved it. History, regional culture, and a cool little mystery and a heroine that anyone could identify with. Good story that I cannot wait to pass onto to one of my nieces! I also liked that the approach didn't make Pam perfect and addressed some of the issues of the time and place like poverty and discrimination. And
May 4, 2018
Just one of the many reasons I like to read books for young adults is explained in
detail at https://www.theguardian.com/childrens....
And I quote from their website which is very well written.
"It’s not a secret that books written for children, teens and young adults (YAs) often sell far more copies than even the most popular adult reads. Although a relatively new market, having only really fully developed over the past 50 years, the children’s book industry has grown astronomically to become worth millions of pounds worldwide, with authors such as JK Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Michael Morpurgo, John Green, and Jacqueline Wilson quickly becoming household favourites.
Perhaps one of the most important things to note about the teen and YA market in particular, though, is that the majority of its readers (55%, according to a 2012 study) are actually adults. Yes, you read that right: adults.
Once upon a time it would have been shameful for adults to read books written for teenagers, never mind admitting that publicly, but nowadays it has become so common that many have even taken to blogging to discuss and review what they have read. At YA events such as book signings and author talks, a staggering number of attendees are aged 18 or over – showing that the prior societal damnation of adults reading books for young people is no more.
Perhaps the real mystery, then, is not why the works of the authors above have been so successful commercially (it’s because they’re amazing books), but why they, and other books like them, have appealed to so many people beyond their target audience. This in itself creates a sub-mystery, too: why do these books remain popular years after they are first published, and what is it about our current society and world that means that their messages and values are still applicable to us?"
detail at https://www.theguardian.com/childrens....
And I quote from their website which is very well written.
"It’s not a secret that books written for children, teens and young adults (YAs) often sell far more copies than even the most popular adult reads. Although a relatively new market, having only really fully developed over the past 50 years, the children’s book industry has grown astronomically to become worth millions of pounds worldwide, with authors such as JK Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Michael Morpurgo, John Green, and Jacqueline Wilson quickly becoming household favourites.
Perhaps one of the most important things to note about the teen and YA market in particular, though, is that the majority of its readers (55%, according to a 2012 study) are actually adults. Yes, you read that right: adults.
Once upon a time it would have been shameful for adults to read books written for teenagers, never mind admitting that publicly, but nowadays it has become so common that many have even taken to blogging to discuss and review what they have read. At YA events such as book signings and author talks, a staggering number of attendees are aged 18 or over – showing that the prior societal damnation of adults reading books for young people is no more.
Perhaps the real mystery, then, is not why the works of the authors above have been so successful commercially (it’s because they’re amazing books), but why they, and other books like them, have appealed to so many people beyond their target audience. This in itself creates a sub-mystery, too: why do these books remain popular years after they are first published, and what is it about our current society and world that means that their messages and values are still applicable to us?"
January 7, 2022
Pam Lowder is a young girl living on the coast of North Carolina in 1918. Together with her father, they raise very high quality homing pigeons. Her father has been drafted into the American Army and he is now somewhere on the Western Front in Europe. Using special training skills, Pam and her father have trained their pigeons to fly at night, something extremely valuable when pigeons are to be used to send important battlefield messages. Such pigeons are called “night flyers.”
A strange man by the name of Arminger comes to town and he has a German accent. He expresses a high interest in Pam’s pigeons, offering her the equivalent of a fortune for them. Since there is a war scare over Germans, many in town think that Arminger is a German spy. When a few of Pam’s pigeons disappear, she becomes convinced that Arminger has taken them, so she goes off to investigate by herself.
This is an YA novel where some historical context is necessary, and that is supplied in a 6-page supplement at the end. While it is well done, it is also after the fact. Such a primer would have been better placed at the beginning of the book, that way some of the actions will make much more sense. Not only the anti-German hysteria in the United States, but also the fact that most Americans at the time stayed in their small local communities and knew little about other people and their backgrounds. That explains a great deal of the ways in which the people act towards each other. Despite that, it is still an entertaining story that teaches a bit of history.
A strange man by the name of Arminger comes to town and he has a German accent. He expresses a high interest in Pam’s pigeons, offering her the equivalent of a fortune for them. Since there is a war scare over Germans, many in town think that Arminger is a German spy. When a few of Pam’s pigeons disappear, she becomes convinced that Arminger has taken them, so she goes off to investigate by herself.
This is an YA novel where some historical context is necessary, and that is supplied in a 6-page supplement at the end. While it is well done, it is also after the fact. Such a primer would have been better placed at the beginning of the book, that way some of the actions will make much more sense. Not only the anti-German hysteria in the United States, but also the fact that most Americans at the time stayed in their small local communities and knew little about other people and their backgrounds. That explains a great deal of the ways in which the people act towards each other. Despite that, it is still an entertaining story that teaches a bit of history.
July 8, 2022
Pam Lowder is responsible for watching her father’s pigeons during the end of WWI. A stranger, perhaps spy, comes to town wanting to buy her pigeons. When she declines, her best birds start to go missing. Meanwhile, at school Pam must deal with with bully, Henry Bagley, and his older sister, Alice’s offer of friendship, though Pam isn’t sure if it’s genuine or out of pity.
As you can see, the story had a promising premise, however it completely fails in execution. Far too much time is spent on pigeon keeping rather than developing plot lines. The spy storyline results in unbelievable payoff, the author misses key opportunities to further character development, and it abruptly ends, leaving the reader wondering about loose ends.
The most frustrating part was Pam’s dad, who the story revolves around but doesn’t seem real. The Lowder family hasn’t received a letter from him in some time and never heard from him throughout the story. His fate is left completely up in the air. It’s like the author forgets about him three quarters of the way through despite him being an important figure for Pam.
The book was well written and fairly well paced. It had many interesting, likeable, or admirable characters which is what is keeping my rating at three stars.
As you can see, the story had a promising premise, however it completely fails in execution. Far too much time is spent on pigeon keeping rather than developing plot lines. The spy storyline results in unbelievable payoff, the author misses key opportunities to further character development, and it abruptly ends, leaving the reader wondering about loose ends.
The most frustrating part was Pam’s dad, who the story revolves around but doesn’t seem real. The Lowder family hasn’t received a letter from him in some time and never heard from him throughout the story. His fate is left completely up in the air. It’s like the author forgets about him three quarters of the way through despite him being an important figure for Pam.
The book was well written and fairly well paced. It had many interesting, likeable, or admirable characters which is what is keeping my rating at three stars.
February 6, 2022
Death to AG farm girl stories. Death.
I was afraid this book was going to be like Peril at King's Creek (Felicity mystery by same author) where the culprit is really obvious the whole time, but luckily there was a plot twist at the end. Not a clever plot twist, but a decent one all the same.
I expected to learn more about homing pigeons in this book, but I felt like there were a lot of missed opportunities to explore what they really did. I kept wanting Pam to send secret war messages or something. Maybe that's unrealistic for a twelve year-old, but still, the book was a little underwhelming.
I'm only going to read one more book in this series before I take a break, and I can only hope it's not about another farm girl. I've read enough farm girl books to last me a lifetime.
I was afraid this book was going to be like Peril at King's Creek (Felicity mystery by same author) where the culprit is really obvious the whole time, but luckily there was a plot twist at the end. Not a clever plot twist, but a decent one all the same.
I expected to learn more about homing pigeons in this book, but I felt like there were a lot of missed opportunities to explore what they really did. I kept wanting Pam to send secret war messages or something. Maybe that's unrealistic for a twelve year-old, but still, the book was a little underwhelming.
I'm only going to read one more book in this series before I take a break, and I can only hope it's not about another farm girl. I've read enough farm girl books to last me a lifetime.
May 17, 2020
5/15/20 age 9 - The story is about a girl named Pam who has a passion for animals. I loved it! I liked the part when she got her pigeons back. I did not like the part when she and Henry got into a big fight. Words that describe this book: exciting, funny, surprising, scary, entertaining. It was surprising when she found out that a girl had approached Armiger not a boy. I would recommend this book to people who like fun stories.
May 9, 2019
A fun little mystery, with a few historical details. It's not a big winner for me because of some of the deception and attitudes, and yet usually the mother did try to correct her daughter, so you can look at it in various ways. It was a nice way to pass the time when I was recovering from sickness.
August 7, 2025
I’ve read a few of the American Girl History Mysteries and this one was enjoyable for the time period (WW2) and plotline, but the characters weren’t nearly as well-developed as some of the other AG mysteries written by other authors. It reminded me a bit of Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk, just not nearly as riveting.
July 9, 2021
Part of the America Girl History Mystery series… enjoyable and educational with a spunky and snarky main character. Excellent intro to pigeons and how the helped the war effort. Good book for all ages.
July 17, 2023
100% clean. I was so happy to find this book which is not only clean and wholesome but also adventurous and educational. The fact that the hero is a girl tops this off as a must read for our WWI unit for my all girl homeschool. :)
October 9, 2023
It was okay. Not a favorite though.
I skimmed through some of the middle because I got bogged down. I had actually left it for about a week because I wasn't as engaged (not as much as I had been for the other history mysteries I'd read).
I skimmed through some of the middle because I got bogged down. I had actually left it for about a week because I wasn't as engaged (not as much as I had been for the other history mysteries I'd read).
August 22, 2025
Ethan: 4.5 stars
Carrie: 4.5 stars
The kids really enjoyed this read aloud! Ethan liked the historical details and Carrie liked the animals. We had fun guessing who was the bird thief (and we all got it wrong lol)
Carrie: 4.5 stars
The kids really enjoyed this read aloud! Ethan liked the historical details and Carrie liked the animals. We had fun guessing who was the bird thief (and we all got it wrong lol)
May 2, 2019
Our first World War I read aloud for history. A good mystery for young ears.
May 21, 2020
Greta mystery and great read!
June 30, 2021
I love AG books becuase they introduce you to things you'd never think would be interesting or even think of. This wasn't a super mysterious mystery, but I did like it. Learned a lot.
August 17, 2021
love this series
September 16, 2021
This was my first American Girl History Mystery. I think it was very well done for middle graders. There was just enough suspense and mystery to get you worried, but not freaked out.
June 20, 2022
Childhood favorite - love hearing and learning about homing pigeons!
February 11, 2023
Very good story.
May 15, 2023
These books were my childhood! This was one I definitely read and it was as good as I remembered!
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July 2, 2023I am so glad the dog came back. I was just thinking about that moment in Fox in the Hound where Tod was left in the woods by his caregiver, and I did not want that to happen to Bos.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews