Dead Man's Rapids

Gr 5–8—This sequel to Blackwater Ben begins in 1899 as Ben and his friend Nevers embark on a log drive with Ben's father, who works as the camp's cook. Ben hopes that someone less grumpy will replace his father as cook, and, lo and behold, his wish comes true when a new slop slinger named Sard takes over. Unfortunately, things go from bad to worse for Ben. Loggers who move the payload from Minnesota to Canada round out the characters. The loggers each have their own personality, some with more depth than others. Sard, with his ill temper and his physical injuries, is stereotypical at first. However, as the story progresses, he becomes more fully realized. The book's setting and the episodic plot, filled with humor and adventure, are its strengths. Readers will smell garlicky sausages, feel the bitter cold the loggers endure, and visualize the flora and fauna. The integration of logging vocabulary and the descriptions of camp life further immerse readers in the novel. Ben's constant wishing gets him and the crew in trouble, yet kids will welcome the diversion from the backbreaking labor and dangers of the drive. Information on the impact logging had on the region offers depth and discussion fodder. An afterword with facts about log drives is included.