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Webb #0.5
Barracuda
Fishing for barracuda from a kayak in the Florida Keys. That's what Jim Webb thinks this resort vacation with his grandfather should be about. Except the dying resort owner holds the key to legend about a generations-old crime. A crime that is worth way too much to those who want the legend to be true. Webb soon discovers that what lurks in the sun, sand and shallow waters of the Keys is much more dangerous than a slashing game fish. And along the way, he learns an important truth about himself and his own past.
In this exciting prequel to Devil’s Pass and Tin Soldier , the musically gifted and tenacious Webb finds himself caught in a dangerous mystery.
In this exciting prequel to Devil’s Pass and Tin Soldier , the musically gifted and tenacious Webb finds himself caught in a dangerous mystery.
192 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2016
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Sigmund Brouwer
260 books407 followersSigmund loves going to schools to get kids excited about reading, reaching roughly 80,000 students a year through his Rock&Roll Literacy Show.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 9, 2020
2019: Just finished rereading this book, and I can say that I enjoyed it more than the first time. Sigmund Brouwer is one of my favourite authors, and I really enjoy his writing style. Of the six books of The Seven Prequels that I’ve read over the past few weeks, the character of Webb is the most dynamic. He has both positive and negative points, and his overcoming his father’s death was well done. Also, his relationship with his grandfather was very believable.
2017: I've read the entire Seven Series in order; the premise being that a grandfather leaves his 7 grandsons a task to complete after the grandfather dies.
This is the first I've read of the Seven Prequels (written by one of my favourite authors- Sigmund Brouwer). In the Seven Prequels, each grandson takes a trip with their grandfather.
In Barracuda, Webb is 13 years old and his grandfather takes him on a trip to the Florida Keys. Although initially Webb just believes this is to be a relaxing trip, his grandfather has a plan to get Webb to open up about his father's death. They also get caught up in a mystery about missing diamonds and money from a long ago train derailment.
The actual mystery of the diamonds didn't intrigue me as much as the relationship between Webb and his grandfather. His grandfather's description of introverts vs extroverts at the beginning of the book was very well written. The discussion about the death of a parent was also well done and hit close to home (as I lost my mother to cancer at a young age).
This is definitely a series that I want to read all the books of, as well as the Seven Sequels.
2017: I've read the entire Seven Series in order; the premise being that a grandfather leaves his 7 grandsons a task to complete after the grandfather dies.
This is the first I've read of the Seven Prequels (written by one of my favourite authors- Sigmund Brouwer). In the Seven Prequels, each grandson takes a trip with their grandfather.
In Barracuda, Webb is 13 years old and his grandfather takes him on a trip to the Florida Keys. Although initially Webb just believes this is to be a relaxing trip, his grandfather has a plan to get Webb to open up about his father's death. They also get caught up in a mystery about missing diamonds and money from a long ago train derailment.
The actual mystery of the diamonds didn't intrigue me as much as the relationship between Webb and his grandfather. His grandfather's description of introverts vs extroverts at the beginning of the book was very well written. The discussion about the death of a parent was also well done and hit close to home (as I lost my mother to cancer at a young age).
This is definitely a series that I want to read all the books of, as well as the Seven Sequels.
November 19, 2016
This review is from: Barracuda by Sigmund Brouwer (paperback)
The author seems to be very connected to the depths of his story
Well-written coming-of-age story, a very good rendering of a thirteen year old boy, Jim Webb. He goes by the name of Webb and he is not happy to be spending his summer with his grandfather in the Florida Keys, more precisely Little Torch Key, especially since some of that time is to be spent visiting a dying friend of his grandfather. Webb is completely disgruntled...until he meets a young girl, one who is not only interesting but in a band. Webb was given his Dad's guitar when he died, his only comfort until now, and she invites him into the band. There is a lot going on in this book, some sweet, some sour, but there are lessons to be learned here, if he will take the time to learn them and understand. I would say Sigmund Brouwer has a great appreciation for life at Webb's age, as well as his family circumstances. This book really held my attention, it was sad, humorous, unusual, and adventurous. I really enjoyed it for all its oddities of life.
The author seems to be very connected to the depths of his story
Well-written coming-of-age story, a very good rendering of a thirteen year old boy, Jim Webb. He goes by the name of Webb and he is not happy to be spending his summer with his grandfather in the Florida Keys, more precisely Little Torch Key, especially since some of that time is to be spent visiting a dying friend of his grandfather. Webb is completely disgruntled...until he meets a young girl, one who is not only interesting but in a band. Webb was given his Dad's guitar when he died, his only comfort until now, and she invites him into the band. There is a lot going on in this book, some sweet, some sour, but there are lessons to be learned here, if he will take the time to learn them and understand. I would say Sigmund Brouwer has a great appreciation for life at Webb's age, as well as his family circumstances. This book really held my attention, it was sad, humorous, unusual, and adventurous. I really enjoyed it for all its oddities of life.
April 14, 2025
Barracuda by Sigmund Brouwer
Rating: 3 Stars
Language/Profanity: NA
Faith: NA
Romance/Sex: Crush; Kiss on cheek.
Violence ect.: Spear gun shot at dummy; threats.
Other: Bad home life (only mentioned briefly.)
Part of a Series: Yes it is part of a series call The Seven Prequel. Which is part of an over arching group of three series.
Synopsis:
Fishing for barracuda from a kayak in the Florida Keys. That's what Jim Webb thinks this resort vacation with his grandfather should be about. Except the dying resort owner holds the key to legend about a generations-old crime. A crime that is worth way too much to those who want the legend to be true. Webb soon discovers that what lurks in the sun, sand and shallow waters of the Keys is much more dangerous than a slashing game fish. And along the way, he learns an important truth about himself and his own past.
In this exciting prequel to Devil’s Pass and Tin Soldier , the musically gifted and tenacious Webb finds himself caught in a dangerous mystery.
Bible Verse
2 Peter 3:3-4 KJV
[3] knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Rating: 3 Stars
Language/Profanity: NA
Faith: NA
Romance/Sex: Crush; Kiss on cheek.
Violence ect.: Spear gun shot at dummy; threats.
Other: Bad home life (only mentioned briefly.)
Part of a Series: Yes it is part of a series call The Seven Prequel. Which is part of an over arching group of three series.
Synopsis:
Fishing for barracuda from a kayak in the Florida Keys. That's what Jim Webb thinks this resort vacation with his grandfather should be about. Except the dying resort owner holds the key to legend about a generations-old crime. A crime that is worth way too much to those who want the legend to be true. Webb soon discovers that what lurks in the sun, sand and shallow waters of the Keys is much more dangerous than a slashing game fish. And along the way, he learns an important truth about himself and his own past.
In this exciting prequel to Devil’s Pass and Tin Soldier , the musically gifted and tenacious Webb finds himself caught in a dangerous mystery.
Bible Verse
2 Peter 3:3-4 KJV
[3] knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
July 27, 2016
I received this as an ARC through librarything from the publisher, Orca Book Publishers, in exchange for an honest review.
At first, I was really bummed, after receiving this book. The ARC giveaways aren't labeled the best, so I didn't know it was for young kids (suggested age 9+). The brief description made me think otherwise. That aside, it was a good story, but a little far-fetched for my taste (even as a kid).
This felt a little like an adult book that had been shortened and dumbed down for kids. Some of the conversations that Webb and his grandfather had, though apropos for someone in their early to mid teens would, I think, go over the heads of your average 9 year old. They don't know who Carl Jung is, nor do I see them caring about or knowing the difference between introverts and extroverts. Grant it, Brouwer does a great job in explaining in in terms they'd understand. I highly doubt that most 9 year old boys would really care about crushing on a girl for the first time and how complicated that feels, but that's just me. I specify that audience, because that IS who it feels like this book was written for. The story is, otherwise, written too simply for early teen readers.
Now, some of the other topics, like bottling up feelings and not having a good relationship with step parents are great. It'd show kids who are in similar situations that they're not alone and there are people out there just like them, even if (to them) they're only characters in a story.
One thing that I was really impressed with was the imagery that Brouwer forced on his readers of the Barracuda, which was a theme through out the story, whether the reader realized it initially or not, despite the title. I think the best part was his description of the fish at the end to really tie everything together. In my opinion, this is a great book for a teacher to use to introduce kids to the idea of imagery and metaphors in writing, especially since it spells out EXACTLY the reasoning behind everything.
At first, I was really bummed, after receiving this book. The ARC giveaways aren't labeled the best, so I didn't know it was for young kids (suggested age 9+). The brief description made me think otherwise. That aside, it was a good story, but a little far-fetched for my taste (even as a kid).
This felt a little like an adult book that had been shortened and dumbed down for kids. Some of the conversations that Webb and his grandfather had, though apropos for someone in their early to mid teens would, I think, go over the heads of your average 9 year old. They don't know who Carl Jung is, nor do I see them caring about or knowing the difference between introverts and extroverts. Grant it, Brouwer does a great job in explaining in in terms they'd understand. I highly doubt that most 9 year old boys would really care about crushing on a girl for the first time and how complicated that feels, but that's just me. I specify that audience, because that IS who it feels like this book was written for. The story is, otherwise, written too simply for early teen readers.
Now, some of the other topics, like bottling up feelings and not having a good relationship with step parents are great. It'd show kids who are in similar situations that they're not alone and there are people out there just like them, even if (to them) they're only characters in a story.
One thing that I was really impressed with was the imagery that Brouwer forced on his readers of the Barracuda, which was a theme through out the story, whether the reader realized it initially or not, despite the title. I think the best part was his description of the fish at the end to really tie everything together. In my opinion, this is a great book for a teacher to use to introduce kids to the idea of imagery and metaphors in writing, especially since it spells out EXACTLY the reasoning behind everything.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews