Secrets at Sea

Secrets At Sea
Author	Richard Peck
Illustrator	Kelly Murphy
Language	English
Genre	Children's
Publisher	Dial
Publication date	2011
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print
Pages	256
ISBN	0-1424-2183-9
Followed by	The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail

Last updated December 17, 2025

Secrets at Sea is a 2011 children's novel written by Newbery medalist Richard Peck and illustrated by award-winning artist Kelly Murphy. It is a tale of a family of mice stowaways on an adventurous ship's journey, set in the late 19th century.

Plot

The Story of the four mice and their journey on a ship.

Characters

Helena – The protagonist character, is the oldest mouse.
Lamont
Camilla
Olive
Duchess of Cheddar Gorge
Nigel
Mrs. Flora
Mr. Floyd
Lord Sebastian Sandown
Mr. and Mrs. Cranston
Mother and Father
Katinka Van Tassel Dutch
Vicky
Alice
Mrs. Flint
Mona
Mrs. Minture
Gideon McSorley
Barn
Aunt Fannie Fanimore
Elena
Cecil
Queen Victoria
Lord Peter
Lady Augusta Drear
Nanny Pratt
Little Lord Sandown
The Mouse Queen

Reception

Secrets at Sea has received widespread acclaim and was featured on best books of the year lists by the New York Times,^[1] Kirkus Reviews ^[2] and People Magazine.^[3] Additionally, the artwork for Secrets at Sea received Gold Medals^[4] from the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, as well as distinction from the Society of Illustrators in New York.^[5]

Awards

Best of lists

2011 Notable Children's Books, The New York Times ^[6]
2011 Best Books for Children, Kirkus Reviews
2011 Ten Best Books for Children, People magazine

Starred reviews

2011 Starred Review, Publishers Weekly ^[7]
2011 Starred Review, The Horn Book magazine^[8]
2011 Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews ^[9]

Illustration competitions

2012 Original Art Show, Society of Illustrators
2013 Gold Medal (Children's Market Category), Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles

References

↑ Egan, Elisabeth (November 10, 2011). "Mice, Twice (Published 2011)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023.
↑ Vicky Smith (ed.). "Best Children's Books of 2011". Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
↑ Steve Jenkins. "Picks for Kids: People Magazine's Ten Best Books for Children in 2011". Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
↑ The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles 51st Annual Illustration Exhibition Gold Award Children's Market Category
↑ The Society of Illustrators Original Art 2012 Featured Artists
↑ New York Times Notable Children’s Books of 2011
↑ Secrets At Sea Starred Review on Publishers Weekly
↑ Secrets At Sea a Starred Book on The Horn Book
↑ Starred review on Kirkus

External links

Secrets At Sea page on Kelly Murphy's official website

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
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[1] Egan, Elisabeth (November 10, 2011). "Mice, Twice (Published 2011)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023.

[2] Vicky Smith (ed.). "Best Children's Books of 2011". Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2013.

[3] Steve Jenkins. "Picks for Kids: People Magazine's Ten Best Books for Children in 2011". Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2013.

[4] The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles 51st Annual Illustration Exhibition Gold Award Children's Market Category

[5] The Society of Illustrators Original Art 2012 Featured Artists

[6] New York Times Notable Children’s Books of 2011

[7] Secrets At Sea Starred Review on Publishers Weekly

[8] Secrets At Sea a Starred Book on The Horn Book

[9] Starred review on Kirkus

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