The Big Dip

by Melanie Jackson

Overview

Joe and his friend Skip are enjoying the thrill of the Big Dip, a famous rollercoaster, until they learn the old man in front of them has been shot. The old man mutters with his dying breath something about getting a Margaret Rose to the police. Joe leaves the crime scene to get on with his life. But someone is desperate for the Margaret Rose and thinks Joe has it. When his sister is kidnapped, Joe is in a race against time to solve the puzzle.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554694433
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	10/01/2009
Series:	Orca Currents Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	319 KB
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

A 2018 CCBC-TD Book Week author, Melanie Jackson has written several books for young readers in the Orca Currents series, including Tick Tock Terror, Medusa's Scream and Death Drop. Every spring Melanie teaches a mystery unit at a Vancouver secondary school. When not devising diabolical mysteries, she works for corporate clients as a contract writer/editor. Melanie lives in Vancouver.

Read an Excerpt

"There's a shooter around here," Skip said in my ear. His voice was choked. It was the first time I'd ever heard Skip sound so frightened. Usually he was so confident, so sunny. Nothing fazed him.

"Let's get outta here," he urged.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 6–10—Joe, a 15-year-old track star, and his friend Skip witness a murder on a roller coaster at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds in Vancouver. The old man who was shot breathes his cryptic last words to Joe about getting a "Margaret rose" to the police. Now, someone is threatening Joe and has kidnapped his little sister. Things keep spiraling out of control until Joe meets up with Amy at the PNE, and she proves that two heads are better than one. The suspense is intense, but some situations seem too contrived. Overall, though, this compact story is sure to appeal to reluctant readers, and the ending is a surprise.—Lori A. Guenthner, Baltimore County Public Library, Randallstown, MD

School Library Journal

"Jackson's mystery has an impressive amount of twists, especially near the end…[She] delivers the goods: a propulsive mystery that will hook the most reluctant of readers."

Booklist

"A roller coaster of a story that is action-packed and full of mystery and suspense. It is a quick read, and the action takes place against the backdrop of an amusement park, a fun and familiar setting for many pre-teens and teens...Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine

"Another fast-paced, realistic story from a reliable publisher sure to engage the most reluctant reader."

Resource Links

"This book fills a need in many library collections."

Library Media Connection

"Jackson's mystery has an impressive amount of twists, especially near the end…[She] delivers the goods: a propulsive mystery that will hook the most reluctant of readers."

Booklist