(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Nathan Durfee. When her best friend Bess moves away, Claire becomes the only girl in her Chesapeake Bay–island elementary school. Letters to Bess trace the tribulations and eventual triumphs of Claire's fifth-grade year, from eating lunch alone every day to winning the junior regatta. Claire is a feisty and sympathetic heroine; the voice is lively and the pace quick in this engaging epistolary novel.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 When Kate's brother J.T. returns home to their rural Eastern Shore community after a year in juvenile detention, he faces harassment. To protect him, Kate makes a deal with schoolmate Curtis--he will stop bullying J.T. if she does Curtis's assignments--jeopardizing her own schoolwork, her friendships, and her peace of mind. Cummings explores many ethical issues in this introspective companion to Red Kayak.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) K-3 Chester and Meredith rally their fellow Chesapeake Bay oysters to do what oysters do: filter the water to grow healthier plants that will feed their underwater neighbors better. The chipper anthropomorphized mollusks' concern and goodwill saves the "crying" grasses. It's all too much, but the collage-style, natural-hued illustrations evoking an aquatic environment are nice; a series of clear overlays is a highlight.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Heather Ross. Iva's family is going to Stingray Point for a family vacation. Finding the town's legendary sea monster could be Iva's chance to become a real explorer--but she needs a friend to help. Things don't go according to plan, but Iva learns a valuable lesson about the importance of family. Iva's spirit shines through from both the story and Ross's sporadic drawings.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Linda Shute. In a tight, lucid narrative, Jones details Captain John Smith's two-thousand-mile Jamestown-based exploration of the Chesapeake Bay during the summer of 1608. Derived largely from primary source material, the exciting account is illustrated with soft-hued drawings and sketches. It's also enlivened by spot-art vignettes of wildlife creatures whose speech balloons help clarify events and add occasional humor. Reading list.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Tales of Young Americans series. Illustrated by Robert Papp. St. Michaels, Maryland, a shipbuilding community on the Chesapeake Bay, is targeted by the British Navy during the War of 1812. While bringing a message to his soldier father, young Henry Middle makes a tactical suggestion that saves the town. Though the text is overwrought and the illustrations are uneven, the book effectively highlights how one child's act can make a difference.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(3) 4-6 Middle-schooler Brady Parks heroically rescues a little boy involved in a kayaking accident, but triumph turns to tragedy when the boy later dies and Brady realizes that his best friends sabotaged the boat as a spiteful prank. The deliberately paced novel features a strong Chesapeake Bay setting and a thought-provoking moral dilemma as Brady debates whether to turn in his friends.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 When Willojean falls in love with a feisty, abused ex-racehorse, her doubting father gives her three months to prove she's up to the challenge. Willo, who lives with her grandfather, finally trains the horse and comes to terms with her mother's death and her father's drinking and absence. Willo is a strong, believable character in this well-crafted story.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley