Stringer: And the Blue Bat Mystery

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Summary: Stringer and the Blue Bat Mystery
Review: For most teenage boys, the summer can prove to be long and boring. That was not the case in, "Stringer and the Blue Bat Mystery" by Betty Mcelhatten and Jane Knipe Gubelin. These 2 authors are no strangers to the seas themselves, which makes this book both educational and factual. This book is about two 12-year-old boys living on Long Island Sound, who quickly become best friends and immersed in danger, while embarking on a tale of suspense and intrigue that will change their lives. The tale begins when Stringer and Hank inadvertently thwart a lobster poacher's work while in their boat the Blue Bat, never knowing they are stumbling upon a bigger crime. The author's work at telling a tale of mystery, and intrigue suspenseful enough to keep a teenage boy interested in reading it, is no easy task. Although, it is a task they master quite eloquently. As an avid reader, who is easily distracted I wasn't sure if this book could keep me engrossed. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself on the edge of my seat, silently urging the boys on. The nautical illustrations, at the onset of each chapter are well done, and help to enforce the nautical theme of the book. These authors also use their knowledge of boating to create a glossary of terms in the back. This is a great way, to not only entertain, but educate young boys about boating as well. I can't wait to pass this book onto an even tougher critic them myself, a 12 year old boy.

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Summary: Stringer and the Blue Bat Mystery
Review: If you are ten years old and up... and you happen to pick up this book,you are in for a surprise!! It is the most exciting and suspenseful book ever! You won't be able to put it down... especially when the hijackers have captured Hank and Stringer and are holding them prisoner... dangling them from the ceiling... they'll NEVER get loose! But just in time Hank and Stringer foil the crooks and the adventure continues. Read on!!! Disney... where are you???

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Summary: Strangely familiar...
Review: If you enjoy(ed) (and have read ALL of) the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew mysteries, then this book might be for you. This is due to the fact that it "borrows" so relentlessly from those sources.
In answer to the question posed by another reviewer, the reason that Disney does not "snap this book up" is that they'd already optioned "The Moon Spinners" (Mary Stewart) back in the 1960s and made it into a first rate adventure starring Hayley Mills.
My advice is to stick to the original teenaged sleuths and read then rent "The Moon Spinners".

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Summary: An enjoyable saga of wind, waves, danger, and fun
Review: The collaborative effort of sailing buffs Betty McElhatten and Jane Knipe Gubelin, Stringer And The Blue Bat Mystery is a thoroughly entertaining novel written for young adults. Stringer And The Blue Bat Mystery is the story of Stringer Watts and Hank Phillips, two adventurous twelve-year-olds whose love for sailing gets them into a sticky situation. When Stringer and Hank observe a hijacker at work, they must escape and alert the police before he spots them - sailing into a cave at low tide is a much simpler matter than getting away as the tide rises! Stringer And The Blue Bat Mystery is an enjoyable saga of wind, waves, danger, and fun.