Wreck at Ada's Reef (The Swallowtail Legacy #1)

Each character, historic and contemporary, sparks with life. Lark's process and the reveals are perfectly paced. . . . Most heartwarming, Lark develops feelings of loyalty toward her blended family and uncovers a surprising link to their property. Readers will be hooked--more, please!

The evolution of Lark's relationship with her stepfather and siblings is well done, giving the book's fully realized secondary characters a chance to develop along with the protagonist.

When 12-year-old Lark's mother dies, she leaves behind an uncertain-feeling blended family, including her 10-year-old sister, Pip; their stepfather, Thomas; and their three stepbrothers. A disarmingly no-nonsense, self-aware narrator, Lark relates what happens when they return together to her mother's family vacation home on Swallowtail Island off Lake Erie. There, Lark is hired by Nadine, once her mother's best friend, to help investigate the mysterious boat crash that killed Nadine's grandfather nearly 75 years ago. One thread leads to town bigwig Captain Cheever, who died days before the wreck and left his land and home in a trust to his first mate; the first mate's now 93-year-old daughter Dinah Purdy, an African American retired civil rights lawyer, now lives there--but maybe not for long, given the Cheever family's shady plans. And after a game of soccer, Lark also becomes entangled with 12-year-old Owen Cheever in a relationship that's pure animosity--or is it? Beil's (A New Recruit) tightly plotted story of family intrigue and blackmail has considerable emotional ballast among its largely presumed-white cast, as Lark realizes the depth of her stepfather's grief and the realities of prejudice. Occasional pencil illustrations by Davern highlight notable objects. Ages 8-12. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary. (Feb.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3-8--Will Meadowlark Elizabeth Heron Finch, 12, be able to keep her cool as she solves a decades old mystery and is stuck, all summer, on an island with her stepbrothers and sister? Lark is dealing with the death of her mom and dad. Working through the loss and anger with the help of her stepdad, she begins working for Nadine, her mom's best friend. Together, they search for clues about a tragic boat accident to find a long-lost will, keeping their progress hidden from the nefarious head of the Cheever clan and his developers as they attempt to save the home of an octogenarian, Dinah. The summer is strewn with adventures for Lark: soccer camp, new relationships, and hijinks that develop for her and her siblings due to her investigations. Fans of mystery will enjoy how Lark goes all out to solve this case. References to old movies and ancient philosophers may go over the heads of most in this age group, yet do not detract from the story line. Main characters are well fleshed out, and the author does a wonderful job of bringing this island and its inhabitants to life. The story line is a bit predictable, but readers will enjoy the resilience of the plucky main character. VERDICT An entertaining mystery for fans of Sammy Keyes and Nancy Drew about family, loss, and the importance of friendship.--Elena Schuck

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

★ Michael D. Beil's delightful middle-grade mystery is itself like an old novel: unhurriedly paced, impeccably written and including many orphaned children. . . . While The Swallowtail Legacy abounds with references to literary classics, it favorably evokes a modern counterpart: Jeanne Birdsall's The Penderwicks, with its likewise widowed eggheaded father, sprawl of siblings and pets and salvific summer getaway.—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

Lark is like any pre-teen, possessing a relatable attitude, observant, and smart. . . she provides strong imagery through her voice. . . . A coming-of-age story about grief and personal growth set against the additional backdrop of an enjoyable mystery.—School Library Connection