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Summary
Summary
Uncertain, Virginia is no place for an explorer like Iva Honeysuckle to spend the summer. When Iva finds out her family is going on vacation, she's thrilled. She knows she will make her next great discovery at Stingray Point. The very name promises adventure and danger.
Iva soon realizes that Stingray Point isn't the exciting place she thought it was. But then Iva hears about the legend of Chessie, the town's very own sea monster. Spotting Chessie would blow all other discoveries out of the water.
Stalking a sea monster isn't as easy as it looks. Iva needs a partner--all the best discoverers have one. Iva may have the brains and determination to find Chessie, but she needs someone with a healthy dose of luck. When Iva realizes just who happens to be her perfect match, it will be her greatest discovery of all.
Author Notes
Candice Ransom was born in Virginia in 1952. She grew up in the country and spent most of her time daydreaming, creating stories in her head once she'd read all the books in her school library. After writing her first book at age 7, she has gone on to write over 100 books for children and young adults.
She has a Masters in Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College and is earning a Masters in Children's Literature from Hollins University. Among her popular titles are The Big Green Pocketbook (1993), One Christmas Dawn (1996), The Promise Quilt (2002), and Liberty Street (2003). Her books have received numerous awards, including the Hodge Podge Society Best Children's Book; Pick of the List; Notable Trade Book in Social Studies; New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Book; New York Library Best One Hundred Book; IRA/Children's Choice; and ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers.
Ransom is also a ghostwriter for the Boxcar Children Mysteries, having written 18 titles for the series. She has started the Promise Quilt Literacy Project, which gives books to the children of the Virginia Appalachians. Instead of donating to individuals or to school libraries, Ransom sends 30 new books to a classroom, choosing a different school each month and giving the teacher the option of keeping the books in the classroom or letting each child take one home.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-Iva Honeycutt (aka Iva Honeysuckle) is at it again. In her second adventure, the 10-year-old and her family are finally getting away from Uncertain, Virginia. They are going on a weeklong vacation to Stingray Point, where Iva can put her "discoverer" skills to good use. But, in order to be successful in her plans to find pirate treasure, or something equally exciting, she has to get away from her annoying double-first cousin. This proves difficult because Heaven is always around with her "Daily Life Cards" and her tattling ways. When Iva meets London Howdyshell on the beach, she immediately believes that she has found the perfect companion to be her scientist-partner. Unfortunately, Heaven intrudes on the friendship and Iva finds herself lonely and on the verge of being outed for breaking the rules. How Iva eventually uses her skills will surprise readers. Ransom's story line seems to mirror her first book with exaggerated rivalry and summertime adventure. In addition, the reconciliation between Heaven and Iva seems to be a bit forced. Ross's line drawings add some visual charm to the story. Although not a necessary purchase, this title will appeal to Judy Moody and Junie B. Jones fans and those looking to enjoy a new heroine.-Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Iva's family is going to Stingray Point for a family vacation. Finding the town's legendary sea monster could be Iva's chance to become a real explorer--but she needs a friend to help. Things don't go according to plan, but Iva learns a valuable lesson about the importance of family. Iva's spirit shines through from both the story and Ross's sporadic drawings. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Summer vacation, Iva Honeysucklestyle. When Iva's cousin Heaven pulls a card from her Daily Life deck and reads, "Pack for a long trip," both 9-year-olds find it hard to believe they are going anywhere. Living next door to each other in Uncertain, Va., means they never go anywhere. Turns out the Daily Life card was right, and soon, both families load into cars and head to the beach on the Chesapeake Bay. Staying in a small house with six kids and their mothers turns out to be harder than anyone expected. The older cousins are boy-crazy, the little kids need constant watching, and Heaven and Iva compete for the affections of glamorous London Howdyshell, straining their already fractious relationship. Iva adds to the friction by refusing to shower or brush her teeth for the vacation. The arguing and sniping drags on the narrative, leaving few likable characters. Iva, who gets into trouble at every turn, often chooses to simply cover up her errors rather than make them right. The vacation is made more confusing by colloquialisms ("A goose walked over Iva's grave") that may tantalize but will make little sense to young readers. The girls do learn that blood is thicker than water, but it takes a painfully long time to realize it. (Fiction. 7-10)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
