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Young Palmetto Books
The Sea Island's Secret: A Delta & Jax Mystery
A fistful of bones and a mysterious treasure hunt―not quite what twelve-year-old Chicagoan Delta Wells is expecting when she arrives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, to visit her grandparents for the summer! But when Pops tells her that his beloved Island History Museum may be demolished to make room for a golf resort, Delta visits the museum property and discovers a skeleton hidden in the marsh. The bones and a long-secret message from the past send Delta and her younger brother, Jax, on a race to unearth the island's secrets, save their grandfather's museum, and help complete a mission someone started more than 150 years ago.
From the Civil War ruins of Hilton Head, to the site of the H. L. Hunley submarine in Charleston and the University of South Carolina's historic Horseshoe in Columbia, Delta and Jax's vacation is an exciting and educational adventure through history.
From the Civil War ruins of Hilton Head, to the site of the H. L. Hunley submarine in Charleston and the University of South Carolina's historic Horseshoe in Columbia, Delta and Jax's vacation is an exciting and educational adventure through history.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published July 16, 2019
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Susan Diamond Riley
7 books5 followersSusan Diamond Riley is an award-winning author and editor, and a general lover of books. She has worked in the fields of publishing, journalism, and education for more than 30 years, and has taught and tutored writing at the middle-, high-school, and college levels. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Children's Literature, and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, the South Carolina Writers Association, and the Island Writers Network. Now that her three children are all grown up, she lives on an island in the sea with her husband/fellow adventurer, Steve, and their spoiled Weimaraner pup, Pippa.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 9, 2019
Delta and her little brother, Jax, are visiting their grandfather on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina for the summer. Their grandfather, Pops, runs a local history museum that is losing its funding, and Delta and Jax want to help save the museum. They discover a skeleton from the Civil War, and launch a treasure hunt for the missing "Jasper's Gems" with the help of a ghostly presence that seems to guide them.
I enjoyed this story because of the rich history and the Southern culture. Many of the historical elements in the story are true, although the plot itself is fiction. I loved how specific places on Hilton Head and Charleston, and historic events from the Civil War are featured in the story.
The writing is good, and the plot is amusing. It's not amazingly life-changing or anything, but a good story.
I liked the characters and the way the two siblings bicker and fight, but ultimately love each other. They have a lot of spunk and energy, and they keep the story moving forward with their decisive action and risk-taking.
Old Southern towns are known for their chilling ghost stories, and that is one of the best things about this book! I really enjoyed how the mystery of the skeleton unfolded along with the history of the ghost. It's not too scary, but just creepy enough to make it enjoyable.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I enjoyed this story because of the rich history and the Southern culture. Many of the historical elements in the story are true, although the plot itself is fiction. I loved how specific places on Hilton Head and Charleston, and historic events from the Civil War are featured in the story.
The writing is good, and the plot is amusing. It's not amazingly life-changing or anything, but a good story.
I liked the characters and the way the two siblings bicker and fight, but ultimately love each other. They have a lot of spunk and energy, and they keep the story moving forward with their decisive action and risk-taking.
Old Southern towns are known for their chilling ghost stories, and that is one of the best things about this book! I really enjoyed how the mystery of the skeleton unfolded along with the history of the ghost. It's not too scary, but just creepy enough to make it enjoyable.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
August 26, 2019
A fun book for all ages. I bought this book for our grandson but decided to read it first. I loved it. If you love Hilton Head Island and you are fascinated by Civil War history, this is the book for you. All the years we vacationed on HHI, I never realized how much history this island holds. It was very important during the Civil War, and there are remains of forts all around the island. The author really did her research and has woven Civil War facts in with the adventure. The characters ore on the island visiting their Grandparents and discover quite by accident, skeletal remains which lead them on an adventure. Even though this book is listed as YA fiction, you don’t need to be young to enjoy this quick read.
December 28, 2019
Loved the adventure of Delta and Jax; these two have every bit of the same tenacity as Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird.
The banter between the siblings is very true to form, and their inquisitiveness is contagious.
The Civil War history tied in with the Hunley was just enough history to pique someone’s interest. I’d love to visit the museum in Charleston.
Great book- I’ll recommend to others- children AND adults.
The banter between the siblings is very true to form, and their inquisitiveness is contagious.
The Civil War history tied in with the Hunley was just enough history to pique someone’s interest. I’d love to visit the museum in Charleston.
Great book- I’ll recommend to others- children AND adults.
November 29, 2019
A well-constructed story that teaches some Hilton Head Island history along the way.
February 5, 2021
An excellent adventure for young adults. Very well researched and wonderful characters
November 19, 2023
Mediocre.
December 10, 2024
Summers in Hilton Head and work at the Coastal Discovery Center (where we got this book). Delta and Jax help solve a submarine mystery and the Center.
August 20, 2019
What a fun adventure!
Having recently returned from another week of Hilton Head bliss, The Sea Island’s Secret was an especially fun read. It’s a mysterious adventure full of intrigue, history, and heroes, written with an obvious love for Hilton Head Island. A few plot twists and some cliff hangers kept me in suspense as I increasingly had to solve the mystery! What reader – young or old - doesn’t love a great island adventure? Fun!
Having recently returned from another week of Hilton Head bliss, The Sea Island’s Secret was an especially fun read. It’s a mysterious adventure full of intrigue, history, and heroes, written with an obvious love for Hilton Head Island. A few plot twists and some cliff hangers kept me in suspense as I increasingly had to solve the mystery! What reader – young or old - doesn’t love a great island adventure? Fun!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews