by Jan S.
Member since:
June 22, 2007

BOOK REVIEW - "The Midnight Skulker" a Summer McPhee Mystery By Douglas Quinn

May 12, 2012 04:22 PM UTC (Updated: May 16, 2012 06:42 PM UTC)
views: 0 | 14 people recommend this | comments: 38

 

BOOK REVIEW:  "The Midnight Skulker" by Douglas Quinn


The Adventures of Summer McPhee of Ocracoke Island.


This is an entertaining story of friendship, fun, loyalty, kindness and honesty among friends.  Summer McPhee, the main character, seems to be more mature than average for a child her age.  She has a great sense of fun and adventure, but also a strong sense of right and wrong.  When she sees something wrong in a situation, she takes action to set it right.


The story is a mystery that deals with some stolen clothing.  Missy, a girl who has been bullied and teased at school, is accused of the theft.  Believing in the girl’s innocence, Summer sets out to exonerate her friend and expose the true thief.  The story takes some interesting turns and involves spooky graveyard skulking.  After first, I suspected that some mean girls were framing Missy for the crime, but...well, see for yourself.  Can you use your detective skills to guess the culprit before the end of the story?  Read the book and give it a try!


Readers will like Summer and enjoy solving the mystery with her.  Summer is not blind to the faults of others, but accepts her friends as they are.  She is blessed with an intense perception of honesty and a kind heart.


Because I was not familiar with Ocracoke Island, I did a bit of research on the area.  Ocracoke and the Outer Banks are located on the North Carolina coast.  Photos showed me a delightful place with a lighthouse, sailboats, cozy homes and a charming village.  This helped me to picture the action in the story.


I highly recommend this book for young readers.  You may want to read the story with your child and share some photos of Ocracoke Island.  Photos can be seen online at Google images.  Summer reading season is coming soon, so grab a copy of The Midnight Skulker by Douglas Quinn now for your favorite young reader.

My Grade: A

Available at www.amazon.com

Douglas Quinn is a Gather member and author of a number of books, including the Quinn Higgins, Boy Detective series.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments: 38

Kerrell Goolsby May 12, 2012, 5:03pm UTC
I think that schools should use this book to talk about character.
Jan S. May 13, 2012, 7:58pm UTC
Yes! I agree.
William M. May 12, 2012, 5:21pm UTC
Excellent review. You make it sound interesting.
Jan S. May 13, 2012, 7:59pm UTC
It is:)
Angela A. May 12, 2012, 6:29pm UTC
Awesome review
Jan S. May 13, 2012, 7:59pm UTC
Thanks!
Heather E. May 12, 2012, 7:20pm UTC
This is a great review, and I agree with Kerrell, this would be a great way to learn lessons about character.
Jan S. May 13, 2012, 8:01pm UTC
I agree, too. Douglas Quinn's previous book, Quinn Higgins and the Case of the Haunted House does a great job of addressing the problem of bullying. I hope teachers will use these books in their classrooms.
Douglas Quinn May 14, 2012, 9:47am UTC
Bullying runs rampant in the schools. I'm not sure it's always handled well by the adults, Hopefully, the Quinn Higgins and the Summer McPhee books will give readers some insight into the problem and how to deal with it without being preachy. -- DQ
Roberta Collins May 12, 2012, 8:55pm UTC
Thanks, I want to take our six year old up to the library for story telling and us read books together over the summer. As young as she is just three months can make her forget how to sound things out.
Jan S. May 13, 2012, 8:03pm UTC
Teaching a child to love reading opens up the world to her. Children with good reading comprehension study better and will achieve higher.
Connie C. May 12, 2012, 9:03pm UTC
Great review, I can't wait for my book to arrive.
Connie C. May 12, 2012, 9:04pm UTC
Did you send Douglas the link?
Jan S. May 13, 2012, 8:04pm UTC
Yes. This review is also posted at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Powell's Books.
Vj McMullan May 12, 2012, 11:42pm UTC
Sounds interesting-nice review
Jan S. May 13, 2012, 8:04pm UTC
Thanks
Pamela Marks May 13, 2012, 4:25pm UTC
this looks like a fun book for kids to read
Jan S. May 13, 2012, 8:05pm UTC
Yes, I think so. The end is a surprise:)
Pamela Marks May 13, 2012, 8:20pm UTC
I love surprises
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. May 13, 2012, 5:02pm UTC
Great review one I would like to read
Jan S. May 13, 2012, 8:05pm UTC
Read it with James. Douglas' other books featuring Quinn Higgins, boy detective, would also be fun for him.
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. May 13, 2012, 10:43pm UTC
Thanks for the recommendations
Douglas Quinn May 13, 2012, 6:49pm UTC
Thanks for all the kind comments. I hope this is a long and succesful series as The Adventures of Quinn Higgins Boy Detective is turning out to be. Recently, I did a Skype "Meet the Author/Reading" to Southport Middle School in Port St. Lucie, Florida. It was fun and rewarding and I would like to do more with Elementary Schools 3-5th Graders, Middle Schools and s and Home School Groups. Anyone who would like to recommend this to their school or group let me know. Southport is willing to help advise on set up and procedures. The Midnight Skulker is now available on Amazon. -- Happy Mother's Day, DQ
Brenda (square peg in a round hole) H. May 13, 2012, 9:54pm UTC
Thanks for the review. Sounds like a wonderful book.
M. Bradley McCauley May 15, 2012, 6:30am UTC
This is one I will be buying for three of my younger grandkids based on this review. You certainly know how to entice a potential reader with great reviews. This will make great summer reading for the kids.
Douglas Quinn May 16, 2012, 3:56pm UTC
I hope they like it and will be pleased to get any feedback on it. -- DQ
M. Bradley McCauley May 16, 2012, 5:27pm UTC
I'll let you know. I'll put a link to it on my facebook page.
M. Bradley McCauley May 16, 2012, 5:33pm UTC
Done - link is on my facegook newsfeed. The Midnight Skulker by Douglas Quinn
Douglas Quinn May 18, 2012, 12:36pm UTC
Thanks, appreciate it. -- DQ
Ed Da Head Toker May 17, 2012, 10:05pm UTC
a very kooooool review.
Matthew A. May 18, 2012, 9:40am UTC
Thanks for the review.
Kevin E. May 19, 2012, 12:52am UTC
Now i am really hooked on your book reviews Miss. Jan but it's going to cost me. Where am I going to put up the new book shelf to accommodate the books I will reading thanks to you?
Douglas Quinn May 20, 2012, 12:08pm UTC
Kevin: I like feedback from readers, especially the children. In face, my first email from a child was from an 8 year old named Quinn (the same as the Quinn Higgins character) who asked if I could put his brother's name in one of my books, which I did. It ended up in The Case of the Haunted House. -- DQ
Kevin E. May 20, 2012, 12:38pm UTC
You are the kind of author we all need to be like Douglas. I have had more than one of my bubbles burst when I found out some less than flattering personality quirks about some well known children's authors. Nice to know that you reach out to your readers!
Connie C. Jul 26, 2012, 9:49am UTC
I am just stopping by to let you know that this post is spotlighted in the

What Is Happening Today On Gather ~ Thursday July 26, 2012

I hope you have the time to check out the other spotlighted posts as well.

Have a wonderful day!
Roberta Moto Jul 26, 2012, 5:06pm UTC
great review
Shelbia C. Nov 20, 2012, 5:01am UTC
This sounds good
Pamela Marks Apr 1, 2013, 9:32pm UTC
Marksville is here from SF group April 2013 monthly list

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