Review #39: Smuggler's Cave by Sonya Spreen Bates

Title: Bates, Sonya Spreen. Smuggler’s Cave. Orca Book Publishers. 2010. 57 pages. Paperback $6.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-308-5

Genre: Fiction/Adventure
Reading Level/Interest Level: 3.1/ Grades K-3
Awards: None
Series: Orca Echoes Series
Similar Titles: The Hardy Boys series by Franklin W Dixon

Jake, at 10 years old, is tired of being defeated at every game and race by his smaller, gloating, 9 year old cousin, Lexie. Determined to beat her if it’s the last thing he does, they arrange a row boat race to the island just off shore, the opposite side of the island, to Smuggler’s Cave, where strange things happen. All seems to be going fine as Jake, with his little brother Tommy on board, manages to pull ahead, until the waves decide they have other ideas.

 All three children eventually are sucked into Smuggler’s Cave as the tide is rising, a boat is lost, and due to pride and panic, one of their two remaining oars is broke. It seems there is no escape. They have no other option, but to find another way out. Searching the rocks and crevices in the back of the cave, they encounter a large colony of bats that might just lead them to freedom, if only they can work together, and conquer their fears after Tommy is hurt.

A short and exciting read for the younger of the tween set, I don’t see it being as interesting for the publisher’s suggested Kindergarten and first grade range. It is a short chapter book, to be sure, and has a few illustrations, but often in the younger ages, it is difficult to hold the attention of the child with a non-picture book unless they have an advanced reading level. Having said that, it is still a good story, with age appropriate themes and easy vocabulary on par with older readers and beginning chapter books.