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This
"National Parks Mystery" takes place at Zion National Park
in Utah where Jack and Ashley Landon, their parents, and two
Shoshone foster children are visiting. From the first meeting of
Jack and Ethan Ingawanup, Jack just knew there was going to be
trouble. He was even more convinced there was something strange when
the children, led by Ethan, danced the ghost dance and Summer, his
sister, told about the ghost horses.
The
rivalry between Jack and Ethan builds throughout the story and is
finally resolved as both boys fight for their lives when a flash
flood overtakes them while hiking.
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As
the story unfolds, those who like horse stories and those who
enjoy mysteries will want to read to the end without skipping a
page. Are the life-threatening events that happen just accidents, or
was there some magic in the ghost dance? Why are the white mustangs
called ghost horses?
"Ghost
Horses" includes a few colored photos of the park and a young
Shoshone Indian. There is also a map of the park on the inside
covers. This is an exciting adventure story that will keep the
attention of even the reluctant reader.
[Pat
Schlough, Lincoln Public Library]
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Sophie
is 13 and about to embark on the journey of her dreams — a trip
she will never forget. Three uncles, two cousins and Sophie will
sail across the Atlantic in a 45-foot sailboat (The Wanderer) they
have repaired. Their goal is to visit Bompie, Sophie’s
grandfather, who is now in England.
Sophie
and her cousin Cody, also 13, keep personal journals of the trip. It’s
through the journal entries that we hear about the adventures of the
voyage and discover more about the family members.
Sophie’s
journal entries show her fascination with the sea, as she describes
the beauty of the seals, dolphins and whales seen along the way. You
can hear the wind and rain and feel the motion of the boat while
reading her log.
Sophie
writes, "It was as if we were riding a roller coaster…shooting
up the wave, shooting down it, up and down. Now the waves are more
fierce, cresting and toppling over, like leering drooling monsters
spewing heavy streaks of foam through the air."
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Cody
writes, "It’s all wind and walls of water. Everything howls
and churns. I think we are doomed."
Cody
is more inclined to describe the journey with his boat family as it
really happened — arguing, seasickness and trouble with equipment.
Cody’s log also includes the stories about Bompie as told by
Sophie.
This
adventure story is funny, exciting and imaginatively written. Creech
has written a story where the characters discover their personal
strengths and abilities to work together toward the common goal of
survival.
"The
Wanderer" won the 2001 Newbery Honor award. Other honor winners
were "Hope Was Here" by Joan Bauer, "Joey Pigza Loses
Control" by Jack Gantos and "Because of Winn-Dixie"
by Kate DiCamillo. The 2001 Newbery Medal winner was "A Year
Down Yonder" by Richard Peck, reviewed in the November children’s
"Book Look" article.
[Pat
Schlough, Lincoln Public Library]
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