Teen sleuths pursue stolen skull in Panama

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/09/2016 (3667 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Lac du Bonnet author Andreas Oertel has attracted a loyal following of juvenile readers (ages 8-11) with his first three books about 13-year-old detectives Cody, Eric and Rachel, from a small town in rural Manitoba. His latest release, Panama Pursuit (Heritage House, 208 pages, $10, paperback) takes the teens on a jam-packed adventure to Lake Gatun in the centre of the Panama Canal.

Oertel, originally from Germany but now a committed beachcomber and history enthusiast near Lee River, does an excellent job of building suspense as the junior sleuths try to track a stolen crystal skull and run up against a multimillionaire collector who threatens to blow up an archeological dig. The author also manages to introduce plenty of humour at Eric’s expense.

Fans who have enjoyed the earlier books in the Shenanigans series (History in the Faking, Stones of Time and Trouble at Impact Lake) will welcome this newest offering.

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Local writer David Alexander Robertson has a new graphic novel titled The Chief: Mistahimaskwa (Highwater Press, 30 pages, $17, paperback). Part of the Tales from the Big Spirit series, it is one of Robertson’s contributions to making indigenous young people aware of their history and traditions.

The artwork by local artist Scott Henderson is both dramatic and impressive. His facial expressions are full of emotion, his action figures remarkable for their power.

Unfortunately, Robertson’s prose does not meet the standards of Henderson’s illustrations. In places, it seems clumsy and disconnected and has an unnecessary prologue that has little relevance.

However, the story of this important chief, who was born in the early 19th century and was known by European settlers as “Big Bear,” is an impressive one. After leading his nation for years and refusing to negotiate away its lands to white developers, the chief was forced to sign Treaty 6 in 1882 to get food for his starving people. His story is one of heroism and sacrifice and will resonate with young people today.

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Youngest readers who are beginning their formal education will enjoy A Tiger Tail (or What Happened to Anya on Her First Day of School) by Mike Boldt (Simon & Schuster, 32 pages, $23, hardcover).

Anya is horrified on her first school day when she finds she has grown a tiger tail. She tries everything to either pull it off, cover it up or hide it, with no luck. Her mother suggests it goes nicely with her reddish hair and “brings out your fun, wild side… that may be, Anya thought, but this was a problem on her back side.”

Anya is inconsolable — until she meets Ben, who has grown rabbit ears. Maybe (says Anya), a tiger tail isn’t so bad.

Boldt’s pictures are large and colourful and suit the lightness of the story. He lives in Stony Plain, Alta., and has written several other books for young readers, including ABC Versus 123 and Colors Versus Shapes.

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Another picture book that emphasizes the joys of being different is My Friend Maggie by Oklahoma author Hannah E. Harrison (Penguin Canada, 40 pages, $24, hardcover).

Paula is a beaver and loves her best friend, Maggie, an elephant. But Veronica, a perky puppy, thinks Maggie is overweight and clumsy.

Paula begins to shun Maggie and play with Veronica. But when Veronica turns her spiteful comments on Paula, who stands up for Paula? Her best friend, Maggie!

It’s a feel-good story about loyalty and friendship from an American author-artist who has also produced Extraordinary Jane and Bernice Gets Carried Away. Her illustrations here are big and beautiful; it’s a good read-aloud.

Helen Norrie is a former teacher-librarian who enjoys reading to children.