Uncharted Waters

June 1, 2006
Gr 4-8 -Jonah -s vacation at Uncle Nate -s beach cabin is threatened when his younger sister, Jaye, discovers that he not only failed seventh-grade English, but also that he intercepted the letter informing their parents before they departed for Europe. Jaye agrees to keep the secret if Jonah lets her take his place on the local swim team, even if it means lying about her age. While their uncle is preoccupied with writing a novel, Jonah gravitates to a local marina, where he meets Bert, the grumpy shop owner, and begins doing odd jobs as payback for damaging a boat motor. Happy to be up to his elbows in grease, the mechanically inclined teen puts his academic troubles on the back burner. He also assists a pretty college student researching coexistent species in the nearby waters, and mishaps plague the pair. When she goes out alone and becomes stranded in a storm, Jonah responds in a climactic rescue. He confesses his problems to Uncle Nate, who encourages him to write a story about the summer -s happenings for his teacher. Realistic details about marine biology research and boat motor mechanics are engaging, and reluctant readers, especially boys, will identify with Jonah. Add this title to survival/adventure collections." -Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.