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American Girl History Mysteries #15
Mystery on Skull Island
It's 1724 in South Carolina and 12-year-old Rachel Howell is forbidden to see her friend Sally. When the girls sneak off to meet they find a human skull, a secret cave, mysterious drawings--and pirates.
179 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
3 people are currently reading
324 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 21, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book, but it wasn’t that interesting. My fav part was when Rachel was hiding from Craven on the island. Lol, it made me jittery!
March 1, 2010
Since her mother's death when she was just five years old, Rachel Howell has lived with her grandparents in the city of New York. The year is 1724, and Rachel is now twelve. Her father has finally sent for her, and she must make the sea journey from New York to Charles Town, South Carolina. When the ship is almost at its destination, pirates attack, and Rachel loses her most precious possession, a necklace that had belonged to her mother. When she finally arrives in Charles Town, Rachel is thrilled to finally be reunited with her father, but is devastated by the news that he plans to remarry and that his fiance, Miranda LeBoyer, will be arriving soon from Philadelphia. Rachel makes two friends, Sally and Todd, whose mother runs an inn. But at Miss LeBoyer's urging, Rachel's father forbids her to see her friends because they are from a lower class. Rachel and Sally decide to meet in a secret place, a small island near the city that they name Skull Island because they believe a pirate's treasure may be hidden there. After Rachel's father loses his fortune in a bad business deal, the friends begin to believe that his misfortune may have been caused by Miss LeBoyer, who is keeping a secret about his partner in the investment.
I used to love the History Mysteries series and this was one of my favorites. The series has recently been republished by a new publisher and is no longer out of print. I would recommend this book and others in the series to middle grade readers who love historical fiction.
I used to love the History Mysteries series and this was one of my favorites. The series has recently been republished by a new publisher and is no longer out of print. I would recommend this book and others in the series to middle grade readers who love historical fiction.
August 22, 2019
I thought this was a fun creative book for young readers. It’s the type of book where the characters figure out the answer with some time before the end, and you’re waiting to finish the book to see how they make the truth come to light. It ends after and doesn’t do the whole boring after effect thing that no one really cares about.
Rachel moves to Charles Town (1724 Charleston) to live with her father for the first time in years. She is nervous because she hasn’t seen him since she was 5 or 6. They fork a quick bond, however, but she is upset that they will soon be joined by her father’s fiancé, Miranda. Rachel wants time to get reacquainted with her father on her own. When Miranda comes, she convinces her father to send her to a proper young girls school to learn boring things like embroidery and French, and to be forbidden to spend time with the only friends she made since she moved there, Sally and Todd. To keep being able to see each other, Sally shows Rachel an island off the coast, where they can row by boat to secretly meet up, and maintain their friendship. But this is the era of pirates. As it is, the boat Rachel took to get to Charles Town was raised by pirates and the only remaining item left of her late mother’s, her necklace, was stolen by the pirates. The island winds up being a potential link to pirates, and the girls are startled when they find signs on the island that pirates might be using it for their wrong doings. One night, they get caught on the island over night, and almost run into some dangerous pirates. Now they know for sure that something is up with this island, and they’re determined to find out what.
But they can’t escape turmoil at home either. Suspected pirates frequent Sally’s mother’s tavern, and there is something off about Rachel’s father’s new business partner, and her father may be in danger of being linked with the wrong doings going on on the island. And on top of that, Miranda increasingly makes it more difficult for Rachel to find out the truth.
I thought the author did a good job linking multiple aspects of the story together and make it all make sense, when we get to our resolution. A lot of people were involved and the answer wasn’t as cut and dry as some mysteries are for younger readers. It’s a quick read, a little over 100 pages and I thought it was fun. I wish I’d had more time to just sit down and read it without so many interruptions.
Rachel moves to Charles Town (1724 Charleston) to live with her father for the first time in years. She is nervous because she hasn’t seen him since she was 5 or 6. They fork a quick bond, however, but she is upset that they will soon be joined by her father’s fiancé, Miranda. Rachel wants time to get reacquainted with her father on her own. When Miranda comes, she convinces her father to send her to a proper young girls school to learn boring things like embroidery and French, and to be forbidden to spend time with the only friends she made since she moved there, Sally and Todd. To keep being able to see each other, Sally shows Rachel an island off the coast, where they can row by boat to secretly meet up, and maintain their friendship. But this is the era of pirates. As it is, the boat Rachel took to get to Charles Town was raised by pirates and the only remaining item left of her late mother’s, her necklace, was stolen by the pirates. The island winds up being a potential link to pirates, and the girls are startled when they find signs on the island that pirates might be using it for their wrong doings. One night, they get caught on the island over night, and almost run into some dangerous pirates. Now they know for sure that something is up with this island, and they’re determined to find out what.
But they can’t escape turmoil at home either. Suspected pirates frequent Sally’s mother’s tavern, and there is something off about Rachel’s father’s new business partner, and her father may be in danger of being linked with the wrong doings going on on the island. And on top of that, Miranda increasingly makes it more difficult for Rachel to find out the truth.
I thought the author did a good job linking multiple aspects of the story together and make it all make sense, when we get to our resolution. A lot of people were involved and the answer wasn’t as cut and dry as some mysteries are for younger readers. It’s a quick read, a little over 100 pages and I thought it was fun. I wish I’d had more time to just sit down and read it without so many interruptions.
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March 12, 2023This was really good! It was completely focused on the mystery and had just the right amount of excitement and adventure without being completely unbelievable. One of the characters was also loosely based on a real pirate who lived in Charles Town, which I thought was a nice touch. The writing was fantastic, as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this fun mystery.
Book 5/264 (1.9% of the way done)
I am currently in the process of reading all 260-ish American Girl fiction books in chronological order according to the years in which they take place. It's a project I decided to start just for fun, since I have many of the books already in my own personal collection. It will probably take me several years, but I'm hoping to leave a review for each book. Follow along if you're interested! :)
Book 5/264 (1.9% of the way done)
I am currently in the process of reading all 260-ish American Girl fiction books in chronological order according to the years in which they take place. It's a project I decided to start just for fun, since I have many of the books already in my own personal collection. It will probably take me several years, but I'm hoping to leave a review for each book. Follow along if you're interested! :)
August 8, 2019
A quick enjoyable read.
February 17, 2016
The story takes place in 1724 in South Carolina. Rachel has joined her father in the city, learning that he plans to get remarried. Her prospective step-mother seems nice enough, but Rachel soon begins to have major suspicions about where the woman's loyalties lie when her father gets called away and it seems that her would-be step-mother has taken up with another man.
A man who could very well be a pirate and could have even been the one to cause her father a major financial loss. Rachel can't accuse the man, though, without proof, and Rachel and two friends believe they can find the proof on an island they have named Skull Island.
But finding that proof has its own dangers, though. The island itself is very dangerous, but what's worse is that the possible pirate catches them on the island, giving chase with the three friends running for their lives, trying to find somewhere to hide in the fog.
As always, there is a historical section which, in this case, explains some about the problem with piracy in South Carolina at that time.
For some reason I just couldn't really get into this story. It's not a bad story; it covers a subject not often covered in other novels, but it just isn't that incredibly interesting.
A man who could very well be a pirate and could have even been the one to cause her father a major financial loss. Rachel can't accuse the man, though, without proof, and Rachel and two friends believe they can find the proof on an island they have named Skull Island.
But finding that proof has its own dangers, though. The island itself is very dangerous, but what's worse is that the possible pirate catches them on the island, giving chase with the three friends running for their lives, trying to find somewhere to hide in the fog.
As always, there is a historical section which, in this case, explains some about the problem with piracy in South Carolina at that time.
For some reason I just couldn't really get into this story. It's not a bad story; it covers a subject not often covered in other novels, but it just isn't that incredibly interesting.
January 4, 2009
A Great Mystery book!!!!
June 22, 2022
A little longer but a great story. This series is fantastic historical fiction for middle grade readers. This one features pirates.
January 8, 2023
If you’ve read The Smuggler’s Treasure and Trouble at Fort La Pointe then you’ve basically read this book.
The setting and story are vaguely interesting, but feel cliche. The main character is rich but makes poor friends who teach her about classism; she recovers treasure from pirates; she travels to a new place on a ship to reunite with long lost family. And I’m NOT typically one to dislike cheesy dialogue, but the last chapter gave me secondhand embarrassment when they were all sitting around the fire talking about true wuv and becoming a family. Maybe it was because I didn’t love the characters? Idk.
One thing that irritated me is how Rachel hated her own social class and legitimately thought she would be happier living like her lower class friends. Their dresses are looser and don’t have uncomfortable, pinchy stays (one of the biggest lies of fashion history), they don’t have to go to school, they have interests outside of clothes and gossip, and most importantly, they are capable of being loyal and true!!! (Unlike those spoiled rich girls amirite??? Rich people are always totally evil and vacuous <3) It’s a personal pet peeve of mine in historical fiction when being rich is portrayed as the worst thing ever. I’m not gonna say that the societal pressures of a higher social station are totally inaccurate, but trading them for poverty? Cmon…
This author also has a weird quirk in her writing style where she describes what the characters said in a conversation, but doesn’t write the dialogue. It’s something I’ve picked up on in every one of her books.
The setting and story are vaguely interesting, but feel cliche. The main character is rich but makes poor friends who teach her about classism; she recovers treasure from pirates; she travels to a new place on a ship to reunite with long lost family. And I’m NOT typically one to dislike cheesy dialogue, but the last chapter gave me secondhand embarrassment when they were all sitting around the fire talking about true wuv and becoming a family. Maybe it was because I didn’t love the characters? Idk.
One thing that irritated me is how Rachel hated her own social class and legitimately thought she would be happier living like her lower class friends. Their dresses are looser and don’t have uncomfortable, pinchy stays (one of the biggest lies of fashion history), they don’t have to go to school, they have interests outside of clothes and gossip, and most importantly, they are capable of being loyal and true!!! (Unlike those spoiled rich girls amirite??? Rich people are always totally evil and vacuous <3) It’s a personal pet peeve of mine in historical fiction when being rich is portrayed as the worst thing ever. I’m not gonna say that the societal pressures of a higher social station are totally inaccurate, but trading them for poverty? Cmon…
This author also has a weird quirk in her writing style where she describes what the characters said in a conversation, but doesn’t write the dialogue. It’s something I’ve picked up on in every one of her books.
December 5, 2020
Summary: This people live on this land close to an island and there is a big mystery that they have to solve. This friends are not allowed to hangout but they meet up at the island and it is very creepy. They have to go on a lot of adventures on the island that are dangerous. They end up running into scary trees. It is also crazy they end up running into some spooky pirates along the adventures that they go on.
Analysis: I like this book. I think to make it even better their should be some pictures throughout it. It is a children's book and so they may have a hard time picturing what they are seeing. I love the front cover and the expressions that they have on their faces. It is a funny but scary story. I like how some of it is true.
Use in the classroom: We can use this book to set up our own mystery to go on. The children can see pirates and all the scary stuff that happened in this book. Also explain that we need to listen to our parents when they tell us to do something because there is a reason for that. Parents don't just tell you not to hangout with someone for no reason.
Analysis: I like this book. I think to make it even better their should be some pictures throughout it. It is a children's book and so they may have a hard time picturing what they are seeing. I love the front cover and the expressions that they have on their faces. It is a funny but scary story. I like how some of it is true.
Use in the classroom: We can use this book to set up our own mystery to go on. The children can see pirates and all the scary stuff that happened in this book. Also explain that we need to listen to our parents when they tell us to do something because there is a reason for that. Parents don't just tell you not to hangout with someone for no reason.
August 20, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. This was an interesting mystery. The setting Charles Town, South Carolina in 1724. The focus colonization and piracy. The book features 3 port cities: New York, Philadelphia, and Charles Town.
Rachel a girl of 12 is traveling to be reunited with her father. Her ship is attacked by pirates. They steal cargo, goods, and belongings, but leave the ship viable as well as the crew and passengers. Rachel is able to reach her father and a new life begins. One filled with new friends and intrigue. It's pretty cool and I can imagine the events occurring in that time period.
One of my favorite parts is the "look into the past" at the end of the story. It gave a glimpse of life in Charles Town during 1724 including information on pirates, society, and the typical life of a 12-year old girl.
I will have to look for more of these books.
Rachel a girl of 12 is traveling to be reunited with her father. Her ship is attacked by pirates. They steal cargo, goods, and belongings, but leave the ship viable as well as the crew and passengers. Rachel is able to reach her father and a new life begins. One filled with new friends and intrigue. It's pretty cool and I can imagine the events occurring in that time period.
One of my favorite parts is the "look into the past" at the end of the story. It gave a glimpse of life in Charles Town during 1724 including information on pirates, society, and the typical life of a 12-year old girl.
I will have to look for more of these books.
July 25, 2018
I wish I could give this book four and a half stars, but since I can't I'm giving it four stars. It was great! In this book twelve year old Rachel sails from New York to where her father lives. But since her mother died a while ago, Rachel's father is going to remarry to a lady named Miranda LeBoyer. Rachel is very nervous that her stepmother will change her life. And she does! Miranda forbids Rachel to be friends with her friends Sally and Tod. And all because Sally and Tod's mother owns a tavern and is poor! Rachel's father agrees and tells Rachel not to play with her friends anymore. Well, Rachel is determined to be friends with Sally and Tod, even if she has to disobey her father.
January 22, 2022
It’s 1754. When 12-yr-old Rachel and her friend Sally explore Skull Island they find much more than they bargained for - mysterious symbols, rough voices in the night. When pirates attack local ships and put her father's shipping business in jeopardy, Rachel and her friend risk everything to search Skull Island for hidden treasure and discover who the mysterious men are that lurk in the shadows.
I had flashbacks to my Nancy Drew days, while reading this book. As a fan of historical fiction, it was a delight to see books in this genre for middle grade girls. Plus, who doesn't love scary islands and pirates?
I had flashbacks to my Nancy Drew days, while reading this book. As a fan of historical fiction, it was a delight to see books in this genre for middle grade girls. Plus, who doesn't love scary islands and pirates?
July 2, 2018
What I like most was that it much longer than the others.
Gave the reader to be more absorbed in the story.
Gave the reader to be more absorbed in the story.
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April 27, 2025My last AG History Mysteries! This was a pretty good one to end on too.
July 2, 2025
Not super mysterious, but very cool. An interesting time period and place. I liked Rachel; though I thought her relationship with Miranda resolved itself rather abruptly by the end.
July 25, 2022
I see why this is so highly ranked. I’m not usually a fan of Treasure island stories but this had a nice compact plot and plenty of little details to keep me entertained. The only thing that bothered me was that Rachel didn’t get her pearl necklace back.
July 29, 2023
The sun glittered golden on the water and fell like warm buttermilk on her arms and face.
February 20, 2019
A quick, fun read about colonial America.
February 19, 2014
This is an American Girl History Mystery. I was suitably impressed with the story and a glimpse of life at the times.
12 year-old Rachel is summoned to move to Charles Town, SC to live with her father, who surprises her with the news that she will soon have a stepmother. Charles Town in 1724 is quite progressive but there is also the threat of pirates in the colonial town. When Rachel and her friends, children of the local tavern owner, discover a mystery on a nearby swampy island, and Rachel fears her father's new fiancee is involved, things become dangerous.
12 year-old Rachel is summoned to move to Charles Town, SC to live with her father, who surprises her with the news that she will soon have a stepmother. Charles Town in 1724 is quite progressive but there is also the threat of pirates in the colonial town. When Rachel and her friends, children of the local tavern owner, discover a mystery on a nearby swampy island, and Rachel fears her father's new fiancee is involved, things become dangerous.
October 17, 2011
I should've read this when I was younger. It is too much geared to younger girls.
August 20, 2012
The solution to this mystery seemed a little far-fetched to me. But at least it didn't rely on the adults in the story assuming that the children were too dim to notice that the mystery existed.
August 20, 2012
Really liked this one. 9+.
August 2, 2021
The mystery was not much of a surprise, though the historical backdrop was interesting.
March 4, 2012
I read this with my 4th grader. We loved it! Quick, easy read.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews