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| Author: Kevin Henkes Publisher: Greenwillow (April 22, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 0061470767 ISBN-13: 978-0061470769 |
My Review
A delightful young adult book that involves a little bit of mystery with secretiveness in that Mitch tries to scare the people next door. Mitch's parents are separated and divorcing so he his struggling with his "new world" all the while trying to "stake his claim" on the house next door and drive off the "intruders"... which are the people who just came to the house, their vacation house.
Being a child and having their parent separate and divorce is never easy. Mitch struggles with this and starts hatching a plan. He deals with anger towards his father as well as anger towards the people next door, but the author doesn't show the anger so much in a negative light but rather shows how the character, Mitch deals with it. The author also deals with lying and how one character tries to rectify what is wrong.
Siblings can often be bothersome and annoying and this book has a character by the name of Lolly that fits the bill. The author again doesn't show this in a negative light but rather in normal day to day life that one sibling has to endure.
With regards to all of the above, you feel like these characters could be your neighbors and their children/grandchildren. You find yourself lost in the pages with images of the story in your head about the lake and the mystery therein.
There is no foul language in this book which is a major plus in my book.
I give this book 5 stars and would recommend it.
Book Description
Spencer thought the house might be haunted. Mitch knew it wasn't. And he knew why. The whole time Spencer and Mitch hung out together at Bird Lake that summer, there were secrets keeping them apart. And maybe a secret knowledge keeping them together, too—together like members of the same tribe. Like friends.
About the Author
Kevin Henkes was awarded a Newbery Honor for his novel Olive's Ocean. He lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin. www.kevinhenkes.com
I'll have to look for this....I love Kevin Henkes' children's books!
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