Taffy of Torpedo Junction (Chapel Hill Books) [Paperback]

Nell Wise Wechter (Author), Bland Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Chapel Hill Books

Back in print
A longtime favorite of several generations of Tar Heels, Taffy of Torpedo Junction is the thrilling adventure story of thirteen-year-old Taffy Willis, who, with the help of her pony and dog, exposes a ring of Nazi spies operating from a secluded house on Hatteras Island, North Carolina, during World War II. For readers of all ages, the book brings to life the dramatic wartime events on the Outer Banks, where German U-boats turned an area around Cape Hatteras into 'Torpedo Junction' by sinking more than sixty American vessels in just a six-month period in 1942. Taffy has been enjoyed by young and old alike since it was first published in 1957.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Brings . . . dramatic events to life."
— Carolina Country

[N]ot only an exciting story for youngsters but an interesting one for adults also.

Island Breeze

The best piece of children's literature ever produced in this state.

Dennis Rogers, Raleigh News and Observer

About the Author

The late Nell Wise Wechter, an Outer Banks native, was a widely admired author, storyteller, historian, and journalist. As a schoolteacher near Cape Hatteras during World War II, she could look out her classroom window to see ships being sunk by the Germans. Her story of Taffy was inspired by these real events and the courage of the people who lived through them. Her other books include Swamp Girl, Betsy Dowdy's Ride, and Teach's Light.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (August 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807846198
• ISBN-13: 978-0807846193
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #500,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fayetteville Academy Summer Reading Critique, August 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Taffy of Torpedo Junction (Chapel Hill Books) (Paperback)

Taffy of Torpedo Junction is one of the best books about WWII I have ever read! It was action packed, there was nonstop suspense, and it takes place in North Carolina where I live. One exciting part of the book was when Taffy and her grandfather heard someone screaming in the wind during a large storm. When they went out to the beach to see what it was, Taffy stepped on a German sailor's head! This book was filled with great humor and excitement. I never wanted to stop reading so I could find out what adventure Taffy was going on next. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a good adventure about WWII on the Outer Banks

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History Summer Reading-Fayetteville Academy, August 28, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Taffy of Torpedo Junction (Chapel Hill Books) (Paperback)

TAFFY OF TORPEDO JUNCTION is about a 13 year old girl who lives on the Outer Banks off the N.C. coast during World War II. This book was exciting and easy to read. I would recommend this book to a friend because it gives the reader a chance to see how rough it was to live during a war. Taffy uncovers a group of German spies living on Hatteras and reveals their location.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential to a North Carolina Resident, January 4, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Taffy of Torpedo Junction (Chapel Hill Books) (Paperback)

In Taffy of Torpedo Junction by Nell Wise Wechter, Taffy, a Hatteras native, and her dog Brandy show incredible courage when facing Nazi spies on Hatteras. This book is based on true events that occurred on North Carolina's coast during World War II.
I think that Nell Wise Wechter did a phenomenal job in depicting the events that gave the Harker's Island area the name "Torpedo Junction". This book constantly kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next event. If you are a North Carolina native, or just live in North Carolina, this book is for you.