Deadly Waters [Paperback]

Gloria Skurzynski (Author), Alane Ferguson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Mysteries in Our National Park

The Landon family travels to Everglades National Park to investigate a strange illness among the already endangered manatees. Deadly Waters finds Jack, Ashley, and their family's new foster child, Bridger, face-to-face with sharks, alligators, and a stranger intent on stealing Jack's camera.

This exciting mystery-adventure story introduces readers to the ecology of Everglades National Park, with a special focus on Florida's threatened manatees.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Ashley Landon and her brother, Jack, are out for a day of fishing in the Florida Everglades with Bridger Conley, the latest in a series of foster children taken in by their parents. The three youngsters catch more than fish when Jack decides to take some photos. His camera is stolen by a stranger in a powerboat, but it isn't until later that Jack realizes that the culprit was really after his film. In their quest to find the thief, the three sleuths also solve the mystery of why the manatees are dying. Vivid descriptions and cliff-hanger chapter endings with plenty of action in between hold readers' attention, and the authors skillfully weave in facts about the ecology and wildlife of the Everglades. The endpapers feature a map of Everglades National Park with brief data about it, and students are invited to send research questions or other messages to both authors through their e-mail addresses. Readers will delight in the close-up shots of some of the animals described in the story featured on four pages of National Geographic quality photos tipped in the center of the book. Pair this title, the fourth about this family, with another well-written ecological mystery set in the Everglades, Jean Craighead George's The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo (HarperCollins, 1992). A commendable and timely title.
Linda L. Plevak, Alamo Area Library System, San Antonio, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792276558
• ISBN-13: 978-0792276555
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,042,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deadly Waters is certainly not deadly dull., March 24, 2000

By 

GraphicNovelGirl "Graphic Novel Girl" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deadly Waters (National Park's Mysteries Series, 4) (Hardcover)

This fourth book in the National Parks Mystery series is set in the Florida Everglades where Jack and Ashley's mother is investigating mysterious deaths in the manatee population. The story moves at a fast pace, balancing action with accurate information about the wildlife found in the Everglades. This book follows much the same formula set in the first three books in the series: Jack, Ashley and Bridger (the latest foster child the Landon family has taken in). explore the National Park and do some unofficial investigating while their parents aid the official investigation into the manatees' deaths. These books are well written and very well researched. Both mystery buffs and animal lovers should find plenty to keep their interest. The photographs in the middle of the book are a great bonus. Fans of Jean Craighead George's ecological mysteries are sure to enjoy this series as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Action-packed excitement with many strong characters., October 3, 2002

By 

Marcia D. Hurlbutt "bartok" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Deadly Waters (Paperback)

I am a lower elementary teacher (first through third grades) and each week we have storytime twice a week. Last year, I read this book to my students representing the "mystery" genre. Not only is this a wonderful read-aloud book for any age group, but it is a perfect mystery as every single chapter ends with everyone wanting to know what happens next. I had every student on the "edge of their seats" so to speak, which is a very challenging thing to do when you have such a diverse group.

This year, when I started storytime, my students asked if I was going to read Deadly Waters again. I told them I'd get another in the series and read that to them. I just hope the others are even half as good. Just as a side-line: the characters are truly one of the best things about this book. Strong female and male characters that the students could really root for and understand.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cliff-hanging adventure., March 25, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Deadly Waters (National Park's Mysteries Series, 4) (Hardcover)

These are the most exciting mystery books that you'll ever read. I personally like these books because it's not all mystery. It also has a lot to do with adventure. You definitely can't put this book down after you start reading it.

The Landon family has gone to Florida to the Everglades with their potential foster kid, Bridger. While Olivia, Jack and Ashley's mom, researches about the manatees, Jack, Ashley, and Bridger get to go fishing with their guide, Frankie - a girl! She drops them off at the Watson place, which is said to be cursed, to go drop off an injured pelican that they found on the way. Meanwhile, this guy in a boat shows up, acting all nice, and steal Jack's camera. Why did he do it? This little robbery could lead to a big exciting mystery that uncovers many essential problems.

This is the most cliff-hanging series that you'll ever read. I recommend this to anyone who's not into a lot of mystery. If you're like that, then this is for you. This series has 12 books. I've read #1- Wolf Stalker, #2- Cliff-Hanger, #4- Rage of Fire, #6- Ghost Horses, and now, #3- Deadly Waters. Guess what? This isn't a series that you have to read in order. You can see that I haven't been. So, you should try out #3- Deadly Waters, and all the other, Mysteries in our National Parks.