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ABALONE SUMMER
John Dowd
Reviewed by Anne Louise Mahoney
Volume 22 Number 3
Ever since twelve-year-old Jim Martin's father was killed by a drunk driver two years earlier, Jim has been hurting. Then he gets a summer job working as crew on a boat in British Columbia's Queen Charlotte Islands, where he learns about boats, the sea and especially himself. When Jim and the boat captain's ten-year-old daughter, Julie, help to capture some men who are poaching abalone, a valuable shellfish, Jim begins to take pride in himself again and let go of his pain. Abalone Summer is a solid story with lots of action. Jim and Julie are realistic, likeable kids who never miss a chance to have an adventure. Whether it's kayaking throug h the islands or spying on or chasing the poachers, Jim and Julie love a little excitement. Author John Dowd, an expert kayaker, knows and obviously loves the sea. The beginning of the story, which is set in Kitsilano, is a little flat--it cannot compare to the fast-paced, high-energy story that begins with Jim's arrival on the boat. Young readers will enjoy this action-packed adventure story and will look forward to the sequel, which is set in the Caribbean. Anne Louise Mahoney is an Ottawa Editor
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