The Legend of Burial Island: A Bean and Ab Mystery

by David Crossman

Overview

In a tale overflowing with adventure, teens Bean Carver and Abigail Peterson-and a Middle Eastern princess summering on their island—pull off narrow escapes by boat, ultralight, and mini-submarine. Bizarre occurrences indicate that the legends surrounding nearby Burial Island-site of a tragedy during the French and Indian Wars-might not be merely folktales. Bean and Ab solve a baffling mystery, plus get some clues about the importance of loyalty and friendship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780892727971
Publisher:	Down East Books
Publication date:	07/16/2009
Pages:	201
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4-6

Ab Peterson and Bean Carver are back for another exciting adventure on Penobscot Island off the coast of Maine. The danger-prone teens thwart drug runners, escape from federal agents, and side-rail assassins. When Ab first arrives on the ferry from New York, Bean is concerned that his longtime friend has grown up too much. She doesn't seem anything like his mystery-solving pal from the summer before. To make matters worse, she has brought along a spoiled Middle Eastern princess, Dahab, and her strict governess, Miss Termagaunt. Bean's feelings are hurt by Ab's snub, but he has bigger problems to handle. Meanwhile, Ab grows bored with her new lifestyle and vows to repair her friendship with Bean. She follows him and his friend Spooky, quickly realizing that the two boys are hiding a big secret. Readers will not be able to put down this fast-paced mystery that doesn't slow down until the neat conclusion. Fans of the previous two novels will enjoy seeing the romance blossom between Bean and Ab.-Julie Shatterly, South County Regional Library, Charlotte, NC

School Library Journal

Crossman draws on his knowledge of Maine's Penobscot Bay for his third installment of the Bean and Ab mysteries, featuring teenagers who are "magnets for mischief." Previous adventures included a kidnapping, a sunken submarine and long-dead pirates. Now Ben's best friend Spooky is missing and is later found clinging half-dead to a buoy 15 miles out. Bean risks his life to save his friend and now must solve the mystery of what exactly happened. Rooted in Maine history and legend, this is as much a story of friendship as it is a mystery. Though characterization is solid, the third-person narration is distancing, with too much explaining that diffuses tension and kills momentum. Though it's an ambitious novel that doesn't quite succeed in orchestrating the exciting tale it might have been, there's plenty for the dedicated reader to like. (Mystery. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews