Secrets at Sparhawk Point by Anna Rose Johnson

What worked:

The story focuses on two pairs of siblings, neighbors in a remote town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The girls are the daughters of the town’s pastor, which adds a layer of moral expectations. The boys know money is tight, so they want to help their mother in any way. The kids make inferences about their parents’ intentions, and readers will sense the desperation about the prospect of moving. The kids are responsible, well-behaved, and respectful of others, and they’re motivated to help their families. Readers will follow their efforts to make a difference, some of them successful while others are not.

The story is connected by the mystery of the lake monster. People speculate about what it might be, and stories about previous sightings arise. Other newspapers build on what’s reported locally, and that’s when complications emerge. Some people wonder if the sightings are related to secret German war efforts. Even though the war is overseas, the author shares its everyday effects on lives in the United States. Metal is used to make army vehicles and supplies, and there are food shortages. The kids help by collecting scraps around town, and many women work at the local factory.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot evolves slowly, as it follows the description found in the synopsis. The main nugget of interest is the fact that the children see an unidentified object in Lake Superior. A UFO, an unidentified floating object? Readers may expect a surprising secret, but it’s nothing earth-shattering.

The final verdict:

This is a wholesome story from a small, laid-back town during the Second World War. The citizens are good people, and readers can relate to their secrets. You should check it out for yourself.