Deadly Waters

Mysteries in Our National Parks #4

by Alane Ferguson

The Landon family is Southbound—headed for Florida to investigate a mysterious illness plaguing endangered manatees in Everglades National Park. Jack, Ashley, and their friend Bridger soon find themselves in deadly waters with a seven-foot shark, an injured manatee—and a mystery to solve. Who was the stranger in the speedboat who snatched Jack's camera? And what does he have to do with the manatees? Join the heart-stopping chase through a maze of mangrove islands to find out!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Mystery Thriller, Environment, Young Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Alane Ferguson was born in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1957. She attended the University of Utah and Westminster College where she studied journalism. Later, Alane became interested in writing for children, mostly, she says, to follow the example of her mother, successful author Gloria Skurzynski. Her mother has written over fifty-seven books for children, while Alane is currently completing her thirty-second. Alane and her mother co-authored a series for National Geographic. Their novel, WOLF STALKER, was the first work of fiction National Geographic had published in its as of then 109 year history. WOLF STALKER was nominated for the 1998 Mystery Writer's of America's Edgar Allan Poe Award and the newest and 13th book in the series, NIGHT OF THE BLACK BEAR, was launched in spring of 2007. A recipient of the 1990 Edgar Allan Poe Award as well as the Belgium's Children's Choice Award for her young adult novel SHOW ME THE EVIDENCE, Alane was also a nominee for her third young-adult mystery, POISON. She received a 2007 Edgar nomination for her young adult novel, THE CHRISTOPHER KILLER, the first in the Sleuth Forensic Mystery series. Alane won the Children's Crown Classic Award for CRICKET ANDTHE CRACKERBOX KID, the American Bookseller's Association's "Pick of the List" for her picture book entitled THAT NEW PET, and has been on numerous ALA Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Readers and Young Adult's Choice list.

Reviews

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good installment in the series. The more I read of these, the more impressed I am with how well the authors blend mystery with science. The kids again get involved in some silly antics, and the parents still don't seem all that concerned, but it always works out in the end. I like Bridger's attitude turn-around, as well. Having read other books set in South Florida I saw the illegal dumping coming a mile away, but for the target audience, it was well done.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I met the author a while back. Happened upon it again and enjoyed it for the second time. Now that I'm retired, I'm going to read all that I missed while I was teaching. I did share with my students and I know a lot of them enjoyed her books.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this with my 7th graders. :)

Just finished. Loved it.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story includes the importance of being responsible regarding our environment and the creatures around us, ultimately affecting mankind.

[Susan Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery for kids- includes lots of action and information about Southern Florida wildlife and environmental issues.

[Alla]

I love this book.

[Lexi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not stop rolling my eyes at the cringe and incompetence of the adults in this book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd meant to read the MYSTERIES IN OUR NATIONAL PARKS series in order, but after getting back from visiting a couple of really awesome national parks (Arches & Canyonlands), I'd figured I'd just read them as they became available by my local library. So #4 in the series, DEADLY WATERS, came in first, and this is another mysterious-and-surprisingly-dangerous adventure for the Landon kids in Everglades National Park in Florida.

My parents are now permanent residents in Florida, though north of Tampa (actually, near Crystal River, which gets a mention in this book -- this is an area where manatees like to stay in the winter). It would be a hike to get down to the Everglades, and I wouldn't want to attempt it in the summer like the Landon family does in the book -- while they do mention all of the mosquitoes, I guess they fail to note the concerns for those who are actually allergic to mosquito bites (like me!) or even the more serious diseases you can get from mosquitoes, like West Nile, EEE, etc. But it does sound beautiful, especially if you have a friend down there with a boat and who knows the waterways really well. The diverse wildlife is mentioned frequently in the book.

The mystery this time is figuring out why there are a number of puzzling but rising manatee deaths. The Landon kids (Jack & Ashley) and their current foster charge, a rather male-chauvinistic kid named Bridger (he grew up without a mom and his father, a touring rodeo champion, is currently stuck in the hospital undergoing rehab after a major injury), come across a villainous, shady guy who steals Jack's camera (to destroy any evidence) and later pulls a gun on them. No one gets hurt, even later in the book when the entire Landon family get involved in a boat chase and the bad guy's boat overturns in the water. This family has some relatively scary life experiences! Despite that, everything turns out as good as can be expected: Bridger learns a lesson in feminism, they figure out what's poisoning the manatees (though solving the issue will be much longer and probably result in some deaths, when it could have been prevented in the first place), Jack gets his camera back, bad guy goes to jail. What more could you want in a children's mystery series?

[Amanda Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars is closer to what I would give this book. It wasn't great but it was engaging and did incorporate interesting animal and nature preserve facts.

Jack, the preteen protagonist is interested in photography while his sister Ashley is kind of vague. We don't really know what she likes or doesn't like, except she doesn't like killing or hurting animals. Bridger, the new foster child from Texas (?) refuses to wear anything other than jeans, plaid long sleeve shirt, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat even if he is in the Florida Everglades. Bridger also has a misogynistic view of the role of men and women in society. When he learns that one of his foster parents is a Veterinarian and the other is a photographer, he assumes the husband as the vet and is very perplexed when this is not the case.

Olivia (mom) is called down to the Everglades to help figure out why there are manatees mysteriously dying. Of course the children come along and get mixed up with the manatees and a mysterious man who may endanger not only the lives of the manatees, but the lives of the children as well.

Like I said, overall it was entertaining, but it probably isn't something that I would read again.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Landon Family: Steven, a wildlife photographer and Olivia, a marine veternarian and their children Jack and Ashley along with Bridger, a foster son travel to the Florida Everglades as manatees are mysteriously dying. Olivia has been sent there to solve the mystery. The kids are on their own one day and decide to go out fishing. Just as Jack finishes snapping some pictures (he's an amateur photographer himself), a stranger approaches them and promptly steals Jack's very expensive camera. This sets in motion a string of events that lead to the discovery that the manatees' deaths are not accidental or random.

Studying the clues left behind in the photos they managed to salvage, Olivia, Steven and the kids piece together just how evil and ruthless men can be...and in the process how it erodes our ecological balance. Deadly Waters keeps the reader on edge as new clues and dangers arise with the turn of a page. Kids will love the facts about manatees and other wildlife as the story unfolds.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise, and it left me looking forward to reading more in the series. Many of my fourth grade students will find this book just right. The action is quick moving, the vocabulary is middle grades appropriate, and the entire book is a quick read. I read dozens of middle grade books this year so that I can better guide my students in selecting books. I read this one only because it is set in the everglades, which is right in our own backyard. What a great surprise it was that the book moved quickly and was adequately interesting. It does not talk down to the reader and contains plenty of interesting information about the wildlife and habitat. It is an environmental mystery that has both boy and girl main characters and will appeal to readers of both sexes. I will definitely be choosing more books by these authors.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Landon family--Olivia, Steven, Jack (age 12), Ashley (about 10, and their foster son, Bridger (just about 15)--goes to the Everglades so that Olivia can help solve the problem of the dying manatees. While there, Jack takes many pictures, and in one of those pictures is a man who is doing some very illegal stuff. He sees Jack taking his picture and decides he has to get rid of the kids. However, they outsmart him and eventually find out what he is doing.

These books--Mysteries of our National Parks--are published by the National Geographic Society. They are not only mysteries but tell about different national parks and some of the problems wild life is encountering. This is #3 in the series.

[David Goris]

what I learned from this book is that people a willing to to put toxic waste in the water.Also will they were doing that the animals got sicdk and they called in the londans to help them figure out what has happen to the anmales and see why they have gotten sick.They stade at a hotel and theywent swimming while their mother and father were on the case to figure out what has happen to the animals that are dieing.when jack and ashley were at the waston island

[Graceann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love manatees, so that's why I wanted to read this book. What I didn't realize, but should have, is that is is written for the "tween" set, so it is quite simplistic and "safe" for younger eyes. For adults, the mystery will be pretty self-evident and the writing will feel somewhat basic, but hey, you get manatees, and that's why I signed on in the first place.

[Jose Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes place in the Everglades in Florida.The Landon family go to Florida to investigate why manatees are getting sick.They investigate why and as they do they come across a crocidile attacking a duck.I would read this book again cause of its distinctive describing. This is a good mystery for the ordinary reader I'd reccomend this for the mystery lovers.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was really fun to read. My daughter brought it home from the library and I wanted to make sure it wasn't scary for her so I read it while she was busy with another book. It was exciting and fun to read. And, it taught about national parks and conservation. Good things for kids to think about.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with the kids because of the Manatees and from Ms. Maria's suggestion. (Our favorite children's librarian and a co-worker/friend of mine!) :-) We all enjoyed it and have now created some mystery about the Florida Everglades. I guess we'll have to plan a visit soon!

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

wolf stalker book 4

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is fourth in a series, but my second with the Landon Family. I enjoyed the adventures.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good, but I like Everglades NP better.

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F SKU mionp bk.3

[Flyp 2011 Tweens]

Set in Florida

[Marley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book...just very kiddish. I only read it because there was nothing else to read...I would recommend it to a 4th or 5th grader though.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another little mystery in the national parks...this one takes place in Everglades National Park--hope to make it there someday!

[Dudeimcool]

i want a dog

[Edna Little Fish In Running Waters Spring · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned alot about the Everglades that I didn't know.

[Kobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and clever.