Mystery on Mackinac Island - Softcover

Hale, Anna W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 188237648X ISBN 13: 9781882376483

Publisher: Thunder Bay Press Michigan, 1989

Synopsis

Mackinac Island is a summer vacation spot in Michigan where no cars are allowed, so everyone uses horses and bikes to get around. Thirteen-year-old Hunter Martineau lives on the island year around and knows everything about the place.Well, almost everything. When bikes start to mysteriously disappear all over the island, Hunter is determined to catch the thief and claim the reward money. But that isn't so easy, even for someone as smart as Hunter.Hunter gathers clues and follows suspects to secret places. But every lead turns out to be a dead end - until the thief gives himself away, and Hunter realizes that he is in real danger.Along the way, Hunter makes new friends, grows closer to his dad, and learns why his heritage as an Ottawa Indian is so important to him. Full of fun and surprises, Mystery on Mackinac Island is about adventure, loyalty, and the discoveries of growing up.

About this title

From the Author

Anna W. Hale is a published author of children's books and young adult books. Some of the published credits of Anna W. Hale include Mystery on Mackinac Island, The Mayflower People: Triumphs and Tragedies.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6 --Hunter Martineau, a 13-year-old native American, is devastated when his beloved grandfather dies, and fears that he will have to leave the cabin they shared and live with his father and stepmother in the village. He sets out to solve the mystery of who is stealing rental bikes on Mackinac Island, the popular resort in northern Michigan where Hunter lives, hoping to support himself with the reward money. He is aided in his efforts by Rusty and Jancy, two tourist children who befriend him. Hale utilizes her setting effectively, giving young readers a feel for historic and atmospheric Mackinac Island, and she supplies plenty of action. Unfortunately, the characters are pure cardboard, and the plot is predictable. The identity of the thief is obvious from the outset. Jancy is a throwback to the days of old-fashioned, passive female sidekicks. When the danger reaches its peak, Hunter orders Rusty to "stay to look after Jancy." Since all three children are roughly the same age, this command smacks of male chauvinism, and Jancy never protests. Hunter's father is portrayed as shiftless, although he does reform in the end. These flaws are counterbalanced, however, by the admiring portrayal of Hunter's late grandfather and Hale's obvious respect for native American culture. Pleasant, readable, but not memorable. --Ruth Sadasivan, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, OH
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Thunder Bay Press Michigan
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 188237648X
• ISBN 13: 9781882376483
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 183