
ALPHA SUMMER by Greg Richard Bernard Category: Mystery/Thriller Age Recommendation: Grades 6+ Release Date: 2007 Publisher: Loonfeather Press Reviewed by: Dianna Geers Rating: 5 Stars Matthew Walters didn’t want to go hunting that morning with his dad, especially with his uncle Bruce along. But Matthew’s dad insisted. That day of hunting will haunt Matthew forever. With unexpected twists and turns in his life, Matthew ends up spending a summer living with his uncle Bruce. Uncle Bruce is not fond of Matthew and has secretive, questionable behavior. Matthew is not allowed to look in the back room of the garage, his uncle seems to disappear at all hours of the night, and protected wolves in the surrounding wilderness are being illegally killed. What is Matthew to do? With his newfound friend, Samantha, Matthew finds a new reason to wake up and enjoy life. Samantha’s mother is battling cancer and her father is a scientist who studies the wolves in the area. Matthew knows he should be grateful for his uncle’s hospitality, but also struggles with so many questions about his uncle and his life. Who is killing the wolves? Why does Matthew continue to have nightmares? Why is his uncle so secretive? Readers will be surprised over and over again as they read this book. In a Gary Paulsen fashion, Greg Richard Bernard has captured the beauty of nature and its delicate balance with humans while creating a mystery of a novel. Mr. Bernard's writing shows a great voice and he will surely become a favorite author to many. |