The 290

Gr 4–6—Jim Lynne has fallen in love with the unique, speedy ship that he has been helping to build. The 290, built secretly for the Con-federate Navy, is a raiding ship intended to help turn the tide of the Civil War. When Jim has the opportunity to join the 290's crew, he can't pass up the opportunity. During the course of the story, Jim discovers that his father, a prominent trader, is actually a slave trader, carrying human cargo. Jim must reconcile his own hatred for slavery with his position in the war and his love for the 290, christened The Alabama. O'Dell has done a nice job of combining suspense and intrigue with interesting characters and historical facts in his novel (Houghton Mifflin, 1976). Mar Vietor does a solid job of carrying the action along with his well-paced narration. His voices are engaging and each one is unique enough to allow listeners to easily follow the story. For fans of sea stories and historical fiction, particularly listeners looking for a less-common glimpse into the Civil War.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT