Coastwatcher, the

by Elise Weston

Day after day, Hugh looks for signs of German spies. It seems like a harmless way to spend time…at least at first.
It’s the summer of 1943 and America is at war. Eleven-year-old Hugh and his family are spending the summer on the South Carolina coast. Day after day Hugh scans the Atlantic Ocean through his binoculars, looking for signs of enemy activity.
Then one day Hugh sees something in the water that looks like a periscope. Later he plucks a black bag out of the surf. Inside is a crudely drawn map. Then one night he spots a light flashing from the cupola at the top of an abandoned beach house. Have enemy soldiers invaded the coastline?
Set against the backdrop of the home front during World War II, Elise Weston’s dramatic adventure will draw readers in with its exciting blend of mystery and history. Young people will also respond to the sympathetic protagonist who learns that war is not a distant and exciting game, but a grim reality involving real people and real danger.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Mystery, Childrens, Historical, Fiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

ELISE WESTON is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She has published articles and book reviews in numerous publications and is the former book page editor of Augusta Magazine. She lives in Georgia.

Reviews

[Terry]

This is a superb offering ... definitely a 10 out of 10! This is a great story that will excite and educate the readers. Although the stories are fictional, the author has crafted them and the characters so well that the reader feels entirely engaged. This may be Elise Weston's first novel, but it is an outstanding debut. I am anxiously awaiting her next work.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

[Stephanie]

Elise Weston’s The Coastwatcher takes place in South Carolina’s Low Country during 1943. The nation is still recovering from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, dealing with the Polio epidemic, and afraid of German submarine attacks along the eastern coast. Hugh spends his days watching the water off the South Carolina’s coast for any enemy activity. Hugh spots something in the water and strange activity in an abandon beach house, is it the enemy? Meanwhile, sections of the city are being quarantined off because of the Polio epidemic and his sister Sally comes down with a fever. Will Sally survive the other enemy?

The Coastwatcher is classified as a historical fiction book for several different reasons. The story is set during a real historical time period and the characters deal with real historic events and situations. Additionally, through the experiences of the fictional character, Hugh, the reader experiences what it was like to live in the United States during 1943 and learns about events that changed the course of history. Furthermore, this book is a good text to use when teaching students about World War II, patriotism, and American life during WWII. The Coastwatcher is a great book for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders.

[M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's 1943 and WW II is raging. There's a polio epidemic throughout the country and Hugh, his sister, and his mom are spending the summer on the South Carolina coast to avoid contagion in the crowded city. Hugh's dad visits on weekends when he save up enough ration coupons to buy the gasoline needed to get there. Hugh spends a lot of his time coastwatching, sitting on a high spot at the beach and watching the ocean for any signs of a German intrusion. One day he sees what he thinks might be a periscope; another day he finds an empty German cigarette package in the water. He finally enlists the help of a longtime family friend to figure out what is going on and finds that the war isn't just across the sea but can come right to his world as well.

Gentler than a lot of current JF novels, but with a fair amount of adventure built in. A little more introspective than many books, but probably true to the thoughts and life of a lot of middle school aged boys.

Historical fiction.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly exciting, well paced story about a boy summering with his family on the South Carolina shore, who discovers a German plot to take over Charleston Naval Base. He finds slight clues, enough to make him worried, but not enough to make his dad take his findings seriously. Kids will enjoy the fact that Hugh, with the help of his cousin Tom, saves the day. Plenty of historical detail to make parents and teachers happy as well. Another book that makes me wish I were at the ocean! 5th grade and up.

[Corinna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Maud Hart Lovelace Award nominee this year, this one is for Division 1, 3rd-5th graders. It's a quick read with interesting details and information about what it was like to be a young person living in the U.S. during World War 2. The story was interesting and at times exciting, but I think that the historical setting and information at the end of the book are the parts I most appreciated.

[Klee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been very successful with my 4th and 5th grade students who are fascinated by WWII but are not at the level to read CodeTalkers and the like. The updated cover also helps as does the factual information at the end. For children who are daunted by "chapter books" over 100 pages, this is a great pick.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical fiction for late elementary students. Loosely based on actual event in Long Island during World War II.
Family flees city to the beach due to polio concerns; how timely! Kids find ways to stay engaged which leads to a lucky discovery for the war effort.
Quick read and suspenseful...

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son read this for his school book club. He really enjoyed it and also learned interesting history.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent adventure about a boy on the east coast during WWII, who likes to use his binoculars to search the ocean for enemy subs. Be careful what you wish for.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars