Book Review- John Lunn- The Mariner’s Curse

John Lunn- The Mariner’s Curse (Tundra Books 2004) 3.25 Stars

Rory Dugan finally gets exactly what he has dreamed of for many years, to go to sea. It has one catch though; he must go on this cruise with his mother and her new husband. When he comes across Morgan though, things turn for the worse. This grumpy old man seems to be causing trouble on the ship and for some reason Rory finds himself drawn into the man’s schemes.

I was not sure whether or not to put this into the middle reader, or young adult category. On the one hand it reads like a middle reader, but on the other I am not sure that kids would understand the curse aspect of Morgan; when you read it you will understand what I mean. The introduction peaks your interest, but doesn’t outright grab you. It does pick up a little and makes you curious as to just how things are going to turn out. The setting is fun and kids should enjoy it. The characters are fairly well done and play off of each other nicely. Overall I though it was a decent read, especially if you like books about sailing.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Avi- Windcatcher

Avi- Windcatcher (Avon Books 1992) 3.75 Stars

Tony has just bought his first small sailboat and he is going to stay with his grandma for a couple of weeks to learn how to sail. While out sailing he comes across a couple in a motorboat hunting for a long lost treasure. Curiosity gets the better of him, and he finds himself following the couple around. When he finds himself lost and confused out in the water, the couple is too busy searching for their treasure to help him. Will he ever find land? Or will the couple prevent him from ratting them out?

The introduction was great; it sets the tone for the rest of novel beautifully. It did slow down for a while, but I was still curious to see just how or if he would find the treasure. The setting was well done, painting a wonderful picture. The characters were decent. I would have liked to have seen a little more depth to all the characters except the main, he was well done. The plot was good, although could have been tweaked a little, and wasn’t unpredictable in any way. I still found it to be a good read; kids would enjoy it.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Avi- The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Avi- The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (Avon Camelot 1997) 3 Stars

Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is now a passenger on the ship Seahawk, setting sail for the first time. She has been warned not to make the voyage on this particular ship, but for Charlotte there is no other option. She must now sail on a ship with a captain who rules a crew who hates him. He shows no mercy and his crew wants nothing more than to see him gone. Now Charlotte seems to be stuck in the middle of a battle she wants nothing to do with.

It took me a long time to get into this book. The introduction did not grab me; it was just good enough for me to keep reading. Then we see Charlotte on the ship and you kind of wonder what is going on. I did not really start enjoying this book until two-thirds of the way through. The last third was really good and I did enjoy the twist that Avi threw in. I do wish that the book had been less predictable, it would have made it easier to get into. I loved the depth of the characters, and sailing books make for an interesting setting, as they are at the mercy of the weather and the ocean. Overall I would only recommend this book to those who love books about sailing.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Rudyard Kipling- Captains Courageous

Rudyard Kipling- Captains Courageous (Moby Books 1983) 4 Stars

Harvey Cheyne is rich, spoiled, and as a teenager he is getting everything he wants, at least until he goes overboard while traveling on an ocean liner off the coast of Newfoundland. Now he finds himself on a fishing vessel and his father’s money means nothing. Harvey must learn the ropes of sailing and fishing to earn his passage on the four month fishing trip. Dan Troop, son of the courageous fishing Captain Disko Troop, teaches Harvey how to sail and fish, making them a pair of unlikely friends. Harvey will learn how to be a man and live his life without being a spoiled brat.

Captains Courageous is Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale of the rich learning to live like a normal hardworking citizen. At first I think I was along with everyone else in despising this impudent little brat, Harvey Cheyne, but as I watched him grow throughout the book I developed respect for him. He is able to overcome his trouble by pitching in and learning to work like all the others on the ship. Dan Troop is a wonderful young lad who befriends Harvey and I liked his character the most in the book, although I could not help but to like Disko Troop, and the ship’s cook. So many amazing characters created by one of the best writer’s of all times. The plot is not overly deep, but was wonderfully crafted into an interesting tale. I felt that throughout the story I learned many things about sailing on a fishing vessel, not enough to try it myself, but enough to keep me reading. The ending was one that was a little boring, but happy nonetheless. I may have liked to of seen a little bit more excitement in parts, something to make the reader bite their nails, but maybe that is just me.

I recommend this children’s version to parents looking for a good clean read for their kids, and the adult version to those looking for a good sailing adventure.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Larry V. Williams- Cock of the Walk: The Toughest Man on the River

Larry V. Williams- Cock of the Walk: The Toughest Man on the River (Strategic Book Publishing 2009) 3.25 Stars

Anthony is a poor young lad growing up in 1770 along the Mississippi River. He wishes to be the cock of the walk, a position currently held by Captain Davis, who will become his mentor. As he takes off to be at sea he finds himself on the ultimate high seas adventure, fighting pirates and scoundrels. His adventures will take him across many oceans to visit many foreign lands. Captain Davis becomes his best friend and will teach Anthony everything he knows. Little does Anthony realize that too much adventure can be dangerous, it can even cost you your life.

The main characters of the Cock of the Walk, Anthony and Captain Davis, were very interesting. Anthony was a tough young boy who wanted nothing more than to have other people’s respect, and he figured that the sword was the only way to earn that respect, only to learn throughout the book that this was not the case. Captain Davis already had the respect of everyone around him and he had earned it through his sword and trading exploits, yet we see him learn that there is much more to life than fighting and trading. The time period was a very intriguing time with lots of room for adventure and a lot of chances for the reader’s mind to paint beautiful pictures. The storyline was a good one although at times I think it could have been presented differently. I also found that the main plot of the book did not actually begin until a good portion of the way in, the rest was still interesting I’m just used to it beginning quicker. I also noticed that the manner of the presentation at times was very abrupt and matter-of-fact, which I think could have been done a little better. I noticed a lot of grammar/punctuation mistakes throughout the book as well, some fit in to the speech, but most did not; this is something the publisher’s editor should have noticed.

Overall I did enjoy Cock of the Walk: The Toughest Man on the River and I would recommend it to those who like adventure and sailing. Larry, thank you for the chance to review your novel.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Gordon Korman- Island: Shipwreck

Gordon Korman- Island: Shipwreck (Scholastic 2001) 3.5 Stars

Six kids are placed on a boat that they have no desire to be on, whether to avoid going to jail, for fighting too much, or for watching too much T.V. Now they must work harder than they have ever worked and learn to love these strangers who are now their shipmates. Trapped in the middle of the Pacific Ocean a huge storm strikes and they must fight to stay afloat. Ultimately for them it is now all about surviving the storm and it’s after effects.

I liked the way Korman introduced Shipwreck and ultimately the whole Island series. It was teaching the reader about sailing to prepare them for what they are about to read, but he does it at the same time as a couple of the characters are learning. The whole read is a sailing-learning experience for children and includes some good life lessons. The kids all manage to stay within their age bracket and yet they still are full of depth. The jokes that they make at the First Mate’s expense is typical of kids their age. I was looking for a little bit more plot to the book, but I guess he has a whole series to develop the plot. The overall storyline was an interesting one and the ending leaves the reader with enough questions to want to read more of the series. Korman seemed to really know what he was talking about in Shipwreck so either he knew the information before, or he did enough research to understand all about sailing.

I recommend Shipwreck to young readers who like adventure.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Robert Louis Stevenson- Treasure Island

Robert Louis Stevenson- Treasure Island (Western Publishing Company 1971) 4.5 Stars

I cannot possibly do a normal book review for this book as I am sure that most of you have read this book or at least know the story. Basically Jim Hawkins, through working at his father’s bar, meets an old pirate, Bill, who is afraid that other pirates will find him, in particular a one legged man. When the pirates locate Bill, Bill gives Hawkins a treasure map before he dies. Treasure Island tells the tale of Hawkins’ hunt for the treasure.
It is a timeless classic that I love. I had read it when I was a child and I enjoyed reading it again. If you have not read Treasure Island I recommend reading it. In my opinion it is a must read, and a must own for everyone’s library.

For more of my reviews check out my website. www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/KidsonaCase.html