Gr 4—7—Ted and Poudlum, who live in Alabama in 1948, find themselves at the mercy of two bank robbers while on a fishing trip. The friends have endured tough situations before, and they overcome them again in this sequel to A Yellow Watermelon (NewSouth, 2007). Lots of adventures ensue, including being tied to the underside of a bridge, having a run-in with a rattlesnake, outsmarting the thieves, searching for the stolen money, and witnessing a courtroom drama. Dunagan maintains the novel's momentum at the end when Ted attends Poudlum's church, a place where black angels sing and the preacher gives a rousing sermon. The author delineates the theme of friendship well, and the boys' relationship rings true. Most of the other characters, aside from Ted's Uncle Curvin and brother Fred, are one-dimensional, and Uncle Curvin's multiple comments about civic responsibility come across as didactic. Negative aspects of the South, including racial epithets and incorrect grammar, are in keeping with the time and place. Readers unfamiliar with the first book might wonder how the boys' interracial friendship began, but they're sure to become absorbed in Ted and Poudlum's current circumstances. This novel has plenty of action and suspense to engage reluctant readers.—Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY
In 1948 Alabama, Ted, who's white, and Poudlum, who's black, go fishing; they don't expect to become temporary prisoners of bank robbers. When the thieves are captured but the money remains at large, the boys begin a search for the missing loot. This down-home adventure paints a picture of its setting but is marred by clumsy writing (including Poudlum's awkwardly rendered dialect).
Be the first reader to comment.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!