|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
Twelve-year-old Bitsy Burroughs is going on her first real vacation thanks to her father being named 'Salesman of the Quarter' at his company. Mr. Burroughs' bonus will cover not only a week in a cabin at Tybee Island, Georgia, but also enough real food to keep Bitsy's mind off her usual diet of fatback and honey buns. Bitsy is excited about the trip, but one thing bothers her. While her two little sisters have each other to play with, Bitsy has no one her own age to share her fun. Her parents solve that problem by inviting Bitsy's cousin Matt to come with them. Upon arriving on Tybee Island, Bitsy and Matt find that their cabin is near the ruins of an old fort. The two youngsters explore the fort and find a discarded chocolate box containing what they believe to be directions to a treasure. They also run smack into the evil looking Solomon Grey who tells them to stay away from the fort. Determined to find the treasure, they don't heed the man's warning. Billy and Tim are sharing a cabin directly across the street from the Burroughs. Bitsy and Matt tell these two about seeing Grey bury something behind the fort. They're convinced the object was a body and Grey is a killer. Billy and Tim don't share their opinion, but they also warn the children to stay away from the fort. Never one to listen to good advice, Bitsy talks Matt into helping her search the fort one last time. Using the directions found there, they wander outside and uncover an old skeleton buried in a sand dune. Trouble lies in store for Bitsy and her cousin when later that night Billy persuades them to help him spy on Solomon Grey. It takes an ingenious ploy to save both them and their vacation. Vonda Skelton's first young adult novel is a pleasant concoction of mystery, history, and childhood innocence. Bitsy is a well-drawn character, a bit of a tomboy whose appeal lies both in her gutsy approach to life and her naiveté concerning adults. Youngsters should enjoy reading of her adventures on the tiny Tybee Island.
Reviewed by Mary V. Welk, July 2003
[ Top ]
QUICK SEARCH:
Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]
| 
