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Out of the Deep
Mysteries in Our National Parks book series

by Gloria Shurzynski and Alane Ferguson



      By the end of this year, there will be an even dozen of the offerings in the Mysteries in Our National Parks book series, published by National Geographic Children's Books. Written by mystery writer Alane Ferguson and her mother, award-winning science writer Gloria Skurzynski, the series takes young readers on the adventures of 12-year old Jack Landon and his 11-year-old sister Ashley. They are curious kids who, like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys of years past, get themselves enmeshed in mystery and adventures, sometimes more than they bargained for. Their parents' work takes the family to many of our nation's national parks because their mother is a wildlife biologist and their father is a nature photographer. Each adventure deals with an ecological issue within the national park the children visit and also tells about the history and heritage specific to that park.

Since the books are released in groups, it is hard to identify what number each is within the series. Out of the Deep appears to be either ninth or tenth in the series. This one is located in Acadia National Park in Maine. Two pages in the front of the book offer two maps showing where the park is located in the US and in Maine. Another map details the actual park and shows where the action takes place. Along with the maps is information about the park, when it was established, its area, the climate, and special features of the park. An afterword, written by a scientist, gives further details about the ecological problem the book deals with.

In Out of the Deep, Jack and Ashley's mother is called in to find out why whales are beaching on the shores of Acadia National Park. That would be a mystery in itself, but the kids soon get involved with the disappearance of Bindy Callister, a 14-year-old foster child the Landons have taken in. All three children tangle with bad guys and also have to deal with their own emotions as they cope with changes in the Landon household.

Shurzynski and Ferguson have created a fast-paced mystery with characters that are contemporary and believable. There are no easy answers here, ecologically or psychologically. But, the authors point toward ways to work through some of those issues, while bringing the baddies to justice. I can't wait to read other mysteries in this series. Not only will young readers learn something, but they'll have a great time doing it!

The Book

National Geographic Children's Books
May 13, 2008
Mass Market Paperback
1426302517 / 978-1426302510
Children's, 8-12 Fiction / Mystery
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Janie Franz
Reviewed 2008
NOTE: Reviewer Janie Franz is the author of Freelance Writing: It’s a Business, Stupid!and co-author of The Ultimate Wedding Reception Book and The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Book.
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