Red, Right, Return

by June Keating Sherwin

Eleven-year-old Chad Hatcher was only trying to get proof. No one would believe him without it. He'd spotted some men hauling suspicious looking rocks off a reef near his house in the Florida Keys, and he suspected that the shiny bits of metal embedded in the rocks were pieces of treasure from an ancient shipwreck site. It couldn't be a legal dive site; not that close to a protected reef.

Coming up with a plan to stop the looters before they destroy the reef is simple . . . finding a way to get past his big sister, Georgene, is not. But when things suddenly go wrong, Chad, and his sister, must scramble for their lives through the backwaters of Sugarloaf Key--with no one to turn to but each other.

152 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2011

About the author

I fell in love with Florida (old conch house Florida, that is) as a kid reading books under a fan on my grandpa's porch overlooking the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers. The bond grew stronger years later during exciting days fishing and diving with my husband and children in the Florida Keys; and stronger still up in Indian River County where our house on stilts faced the Atlantic Ocean out the front door and the Indian River out back.

I didn't write for kids at first. For years, the bulk of my writing was for business. Then I got the chance to teach fifth-grade language arts at a wonderful school in Florida, where my students inspired me to write a story just for them. "Red, Right, Return" keeps three things in mind: 1) exciting boat days on the water in the Florida Keys, 2) prickly brother-sister relations, and 3) ancient Spanish treasure. Yes, I'm obsessed with treasure. Isn't everyone?

These days, my husband and I live in Atlanta, GA where I substitute teach while writing the exciting sequel to RRR.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short enjoyable read. Would be good for kids in grade school or middle school. Went by fast. Great descriptions and information on diving and sailing. All loose ends were tied up nicely and then ending had an adorable surprise waiting for the main characters, Georgene and Chad.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red, Right, Return really pulls you into the story of the adventure of a brother and sister gone wrong. You can't help but continue reading to find out what happens! I would definitely recommend this book to others. I'm really glad I got this book free through Goodreads First Reads!

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red, Right, Return is a wonderful edge of your seat page turning adventure for kids and even adults. My granddaughter is eight, we read it together, and she loved it. Actually, I was shocked that she would enjoy this type of book, but she enjoyed it very much.

I think all kids around the age of eight through maybe fourteen would love this book filled with non-stop adventure, suspense and mystery. I a grandmother enjoyed it myself, so if you have a younger child that may struggle with some words you will definitely enjoy reading this book with them.

For a first time author I think June did a wonderful job keeping her audience captivated with the thrills, chills and adventures in her book. I highly recommend this to adults and children alike.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest un-biased opinion. I did not receive any compensation for my review.

[Mdrinkard1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a 6th grade teacher and recommended Red, Right, Return to several of my students. Both boys and girls alike really enjoyed it. It's a suspenseful adventure that will keep the attention of most 4th - 6th graders. I was glad to see that it won the 2012 Indie Reader Discovery Award for children's fiction, and that a sequel is in the works. The combination of Florida coast, treasure-hunting, mystery, and brother-sister dynamics make for a fun read.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious plot filled with colorful scenarios of the Florida Keys, and spot-on dialog, makes this book a delightful adventure tale that’s not just a great read for kids, but for older readers as well. Filled with modern day Long John Silvers and a hero every bit as spunky as Jim Hawkins, this one will keep even the most reluctant young reader turning the pages.

[Fleur Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun adventure! This would be a great, shorter novel for upper elementary grades. The mystery is solid, the writing fast-paced, and the Florida setting gives the story a unique flavor.

I'll give this to my reluctant reader 10 year-old. Looking forward to the sequel!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY DAIGHTER LOVED IT. GOODREADS, THANKS SO MUCH!