Middle schooler, Julie Fletcher and her stepmom fight like a couple of cats. When mom threatens to send Julie to wilderness discipline camp—for the entire summer, dad intervenes and sends her instead to remote Bartlett Island in British Columbia to visit her cousin. But Uncle Nate and Aunt Myra are odd and distracted, and cousin Karin, a year older, is downright mean. When Uncle Nate’s rare Indian carvings turn up broken and missing, accusations fly, and its looking like they’ll send Julie packing back to Chicago and then discipline camp. But Julie discovers Uncle Nate is involved in top-secret medical research—and someone is trying to steal his work.
Gloria Repp spins a well-written tale that brings readers into the beautiful world of oceanic British Columbia. Native Americans, a friendly black Labrador, strange customs, missionaries, corporate espionage, and a preteen questioning God and trying to fit in, all combine to make an interesting story. However, the lack of cell phones and other technology gives the story a dated feel.
Age Range: 8-12
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary drama
MLT Resources LLC, 2012
Available: Amazon, Christianbook.com, Also ask for this title at your local library and Christian book store.
