Customer Reviews

The Dead Man in Indian Creek

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The story Dead Man On Indian Creek was a great book for people ages 10-14. I thought this was both funny and scary. And it actually shows what a son would actually do for his single, hard-working mother. This story was about two boys who love to go hiking and are best ffriend's. But Peter's mom goes out with a guy who looks and acts very supicious and when they find a guy dead on indian creek they think they know who did it.And when they go and tell Peter's mother she thinks there crazy. The setting was beautiful and perfect. It's great for a children's book. When you are reading to the description of the place you can paint a picture in your head of what they are doing. It also makes the story seem mmore realistic. I thinkthis is one of the best settings in a book I have ever read.

My granddaughter picked out 5 independent reader books -- proud of her ability to now read chapter books. We started with "The Dead Man in Indian Creek". My 'spider-senses' went up when in an early chapter there was a reference to a man touching the protagonist's, Parker, mother's skin. We jointly read a few chapters and then found something else to do. I read on by myself -- and not to be an ending spoiler -- found that Parker's mom spends the night (with the lights out) with her male friend, that she puts little white packets of cocaine in dolls' heads as part of her lover's drug sales operation, and that the locals have beer and drug parties near the quarry. There is even a gratuitous sentence about a school book report where the child giving the oral report likes the pirate book in spite of the fact that the pirate 'had his way' with the woman in the story. My jaw is still hanging on the ground ... I can't believe that tales of adult relationships, rape, and drug trafficking belong in a book labeled as an independent reader and that it is sold in the juvenile section. Zounds Batman ... what next? A sequel featuring exotic dancers and S&M? (P.S. I returned my copy for a full refund ... wrote this review everywhere I could ... and complained to the publisher about the rating. I hope you do the same.)

Matt and Parker find a dead man in Indian Creek while they're out camping.On the road beside the creek with the dead man was Mr.Evans, Parker's mom's boyfriend.The boys suspect him of killing the man.They go to the police and tell them everything.The police ask Mr.Evans some questions but don't beleive he's guilty.Now the boys have to find out what's going on.With them seeing Mr.Evans at the scene of the crime, and Parker's mom being away alot.

Reading Level: 6.1

*SPOILER ALERT!*

Matt and Peter have been best friends since Kindergarten. They are always together riding their bikes around the small town and the surrounding areas. They decide to go on one last camping trip before winter and to hunt for the elusive heron that is sometimes seen lurking around Indian Creek. While out searching for the bird, they stumble across a dead body in the creek. Just moments before Evans was standing on the bridge. The boys wonder why he would be out so early in the morning. They run to the police for help. The police doubt that Evans has anything to do with it as he is pillar of the community. The boys decide to investigate themselves. The investigation leads them to a drug ring being run out of the Antique shop. Both Peter's mom, Pam and Evans are involved. The boys set out to prove that Evans is guilty. They get caught by Evans and his partner, Flynn. Evans tries to save Pam but leaves the boys for dead. Otis saves the day, the boys solve the crime. Peter goes to stay at Matt's house as Pam is facing jail time. The end.

My Opinion

When searching the internet for grade level recommendations for this book I found anything from grade 3-9. It is a simple book to read (my third grader can manage it) but it has mature topics (rape, drug ring, cocaine). The book is extremely predictable.... the boyfriend is a creep, he was on the bridge at an unusual time, and there just happens to be a dead body below him that the boys find. Hidden within the pages is a message of friendship and family togetherness; of good triumphing over evil but I am not sure it is enough to satisfy me to recommend this book to others. I would probably give it 3 stars.... I am feeling generous today.

That said, many people disagree with me. This book has won several awards: Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award, ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Utah Beehive Awards, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, Virginia Readers Choice, South Carolina Children's Book Award, and Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award.

When I was in 5th grade in 1996, this book was on a list of ones that we could choose from to read for a big book report. The name just caught my attention as a 11 year old and I picked it. Not being much for reading, this book is one of only a few to keep my attention throughout my school career (the others being 'The Outsiders' and 'Catcher in the Rye', though 'The Prince of Tides' did garner some interest when I had to read it for college). When I read this at the time, I thought it was amazing (keep in mind, I was 11). The underlying themes of the story are rather mature, though, for the audience it is meant for (namely, the cocaine and other drug references that Parker's mom is involved with). While this is a good read, proceed with caution due to the themes. And if your child's mind is as imaginative as mine, he/she will almost surely be able to visualize a full movie for this thing, and to me, that's what makes a good book.

This new book arrived quickly, in time for Christmas & in perfect condition. It was for my niece to add to her collection of this series.

Only my second Hahn book, but really liked this one. The main two characters are great--unique and interesting. And the plot captures the fears of anyone who has ever explored the outdoors in-depth. The story, though, unfolds naturally and is not at all forced. Just wish the main character got the girl in the end!

I remember reading this book in school as a class project, and honestly it is about the only book in school that I actually liked reading. I highly recomend this book. It is a great book for kids. And probably one of the best books I have ever read!

i used this book for my book report and i think this book is for 6 and 7 graders because i thought it was a little difficult for 5 or 4 graders probably a little 5 graders can understand this books at least a little but, not many this book was a great hit also i give it 5 stars!

i used this book for my book report and i think this book is for 6 and 7 graders because i thought it was a little difficult for 5 or 4 graders probably a little 5 graders can understand this books at least a little but, not many this book was a great hit also i give it 5 stars!