Customer Reviews

Water Rat

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every child in Delaware and beyond should own a copy of this book. We have all grown up hearing about the pirates that threatened Delaware's River and Bays. Here is an exciting adventure story about Mat Burton, a young orphan who, after accidently observing a tavern keeper rob a patron, runs away to live with a prosperous family. Mat protects his new family from pirates and discovers the secret that links his old boss to the pirates. Great story with accurate 18th century details. Takes place along what is now known as "The Coastal Heritage Greenway."

I loved this thoughtful and touching story of the young boy on the river. It brought you right to the time in which it took place.

Characters the reader really cares about; an action driven plot; good conquers evil. These are the ingredients that make for a great book to read. It is faced paced but carefully crafted to give the reader a flavor of life in 1748 British colonies, not yet known at the United States. We can expect much from Marnie Laired for this is her first book for young readers.

Water Rat kept my sons, ages 8 and 9, on the edges of their seats. We had trouble putting it down! The story is riveting and exciting with many unexpected twists and turns. Even more, it is also meaningful and helps one's understanding of a historical time period too. It is hard to find all of that in one story. My sons will definitely want to read it again in a year or so. Although parts of it are a little scary for an 8 year old (Quinn's dead body), the moral characters and the superb ending left them saying it wasn't scary at all. Our only regret is that the story, as all must, had to end. We will look for other books by Marnie Laird.