The latest in the series The Adventures of Summer McPhee of Ocracoke Island: The Pink Lady finds Summer happily enjoying what she calls “The Big Break.” It is the summer time and with no school she can sleep late or get up early and go fishing on and around the outer banks. In fact, she can do about anything including spending some time feeding the ducks out at Silver Lake Harbor.

That was her plan for this day until, as she rode her bike past him, she was flagged down by Sheriff Caswell. He seems to be a nice enough guy though he is dating her widowed mom and Summer isn't sure just yet what she thinks about that. It is a little weird though he does seem to make her mom happy. It is also a bit weird what Sheriff Caswell wants her to do instead of feeding the ducks. He wants her to watch a certain boat at one of the docks. He wants her to watch it for the next three hours and keep track of who is on board and what they are doing. If she agrees to help him out Sheriff Caswell will pay her 21 bucks and call her mom to let her know what is going on. Summer has something in mind for the money so she is quite eager to do the job.

Watching a boat where absolutely nothing is going on is boring---even if the boat is painted a very bright pink. Everything seems boringly normal and then Ellie Antonelli shows up. She lives on the boat as the girls get to talking it doesn't take long for Summer to realize Ellie is in some kind of trouble and needs help. Not just because Hurricane Angela is headed toward Ocracoke Island as Ellie's mom and step-dad are not the best parents in the world by a long shot.

As in earlier books in this very well done series, interspersed with the mystery are lessons about caring about others and doing the right thing. The nuances with both are subtle and the characters involved don't preach--- they show by action what it means to be a responsible caring person. The mystery is also well done as Summer works to help Ellie while the adults in her life work to not only protect Summer and Ellie, but to make things safer for all. It’s another good read from the talented author Douglas Quinn and, like the others from this author, a good book you can allow your child to read without worrying about the content or language issues.

The Adventures of Summer McPhee of Ocracoke Island: The Pink Lady
Douglas Quinn
http://www.obxwriter.webs.com
AAS White Heron Press
June 2014
ISBN# 13-978-1499746235
Paperback
132 Pages

Material supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2014 ( )

Cousin of Quinn Higgins, Summer McPhee, has plenty of adventures in her own right. She is also well known for helping people. The idea that she needs to help someone is not the first thought that crosses her mind when she is asked to report to the office.

The receptionist, Mrs. Salter, paged for her to come to the school office as she wants her help. A new student, Jimmy Wade, is being assigned to her class at Ocracoke School. Jimmy is in a wheelchair permanently because of some health issues when he was born. Issues that, over the years, have caused some people to treat him poorly out of ignorance or a lack of understanding. He and his dad have had some tough times and are hoping for a fresh start in all aspects on the island off the North Carolina coast. Since Jimmy is an expert maybe he can help with the school’s suddenly malfunctioning computer system and the strange message “Kilroy was here.”

The latest in this series for kids is another good one. In the style of the Quinn Higgins Boy Detective series important issues such as compassion, tolerance, and understanding of others are interwoven subtly into a mystery appropriate for young readers as well as adults. This book and series gently makes important points-- “teaching moments” in the popular phrase of the day-- while entertaining readers. The action moves quickly forward in a matter of fact way while the characters get to know others and develop a greater understanding of why people act the way they do. This leads into understanding how at times they can help. The Adventures of Summer McPhee of Ocracoke Island: Kilroy Was Here by Douglas Quinn is another good one in the series where the titles can be read in order or as a stand alone.

The Adventures of Summer McPhee of Ocracoke Island: Kilroy Was Here
Douglas Quinn
http://obxwriter.webs.com/
AAS White Heron Press (Via CreateSpace)
ISBN #978-1493507047
November 2013
Paperback
128 Pages
$7.95

Material supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2014 ( )