Set in 1979, Richter’s coming-of-age story centers on the close friendship between three boys in Texas during the summer before seventh grade. The adventures of Rudy, Preech, and narrator Kevin mostly involve fishing and spending time with a grandfatherly, one-legged WWII vet they nickname “The Oracle.” Mishaps—like almost losing Kevin’s family’s aggressive parakeet, a shark encounter, and a steady stream of pranks between Rudy and Preech—provide light, wholesome humor. Despite references to bands like Queen and Kiss, the boys’ quiet, summer excursions and brotherly banter could just as easily be unfolding in the 1950s. The source of the story’s charm is also its weakness, as it lacks tension. The primary conflict—Rudy’s ongoing abuse by his stepfather—is hinted at throughout, and comes to a head with sudden force in the closing pages. It’s a needed shot of adrenaline in a lazy river of a story but, somewhat like a shark in shallow waters, it can’t help but feel out of place. Richter sets up a new plot development at the conclusion that suggests the possibility of a sequel. Ages 8–12. (BookLife)