Rock Harbor Search and Rescue by Colleen Coble & Robin Caroll- Hopefully the first of Many!

My Thoughts:

Search and Rescue, by Colleen Coble and Robin Caroll, is an exciting mystery for middle schoolers (and their moms!).  My 10 year old daughter actually read the book before I did and we both adored 14 year old Emily O'Reilly, the clever main character with a heart of gold.  Emily is a wonderful role model with big plans.  Her dream is to own her own search and rescue dog and she works hard to raise the funds.  In addition to that, she respects her parents and loves the Lord.  Not all is perfect in her world, though, as Emily is accused of stealing an expensive piece of jewelry in the very first chapter!  There's also the matter of the Windigo in the woods.  Is it just an Ojibwa legend or does it truly exist?  We also discover that Emily's real mom is in jail and the thought of her being released holds Emily and her brother, Timmy, in fear.

This mystery has many exciting twists and turns as Emily tries desperately, with the help her faithful side kick Olivia, to find the stolen necklace and clear her name.  My heart went out to her when her very own father doubted her innocence and the kids at school were cold hearted and judgmental.  Nothing like this would've ever happened to Nancy Drew!  Through the late night rescues in the woods, the altercations with jealous peers and budding romances, Emily's faith in God shines.  I'm hoping that Search and Rescue is just the beginning and that a series of books will follow.  We need to explore the storyline of Emily's mother, watch Emily overcome her fear of the water and accompany her on more Search and Rescue adventures!  

Book Description

In Rock Harbor Search and Rescue, a middle grade fiction novel based on Colleen Coble’s bestselling Rock Harbor series for adults, kids will enjoy the mixture of pets, adventure, suspense, and a mystery.

Emily O’Reilly is obsessed with all things Search and Rescue. She volunteers with the team and goes on rescue missions with her stepmom. She is even selling homemade jewelry to save up for her own Search and Rescue puppy. But when an expensive necklace is stolen from a renowned jewelry artist at Rock Harbor’s fall festival and Emily is accused of the crime, it looks like she’ll never get her puppy and be able to join the Rock Harbor Search and Rescue team.

Emily isn’t willing to give up on her Search and Rescue dreams that easily, and she sets out to find the real culprit and to restore her reputation. With a few suspects in mind, Emily is determined to uncover the truth, but she isn’t prepared for the secrets she and the Search and Rescue dogs sniff out in the process. This exciting mystery is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and have them pining after a Search and Rescue puppy of their own!

*I received a copy of this from Book Sneeze in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was given.*