Shadows on the Sea

By Joan Hiatt Harlow

Book Overview

1942.
The United States is at war with Germany. Fourteen-year-old Jill Winter's mother is traveling to Newfoundland to be with Jill's sick uncle and must pass through the treacherous North Atlantic where German submarines -- U-boats -- stalk like wolves. Jill's father, a famous pop singer, is on tour, so Jill is sent to Winter Haven, Maine, to stay with Nana.
Quarry, a local boy, says that "gossip ain't never been so good," and Jill soon discovers he's right -- Winter Haven is full of secrets and rumors. First there's Wendy, a teenager who's visiting her aunt Adrie, the owner of a local inn, and who tells so many fanciful stories and secrets, it's hard to know what's true. Then there are the Crystals, a snobbish girls' club, who blackball Wendy because of a dark secret they reveal to Jill. Even Nana seems to be keeping secrets -- with her German friend Ida Wilmar! Who's a friend and who's an enemy?
As German subs torpedo American and Canadian ships off the Maine coast, Jill is anxious for her mother's safety. Her fears are heightened when she finds a wounded pigeon with the message Sonnabend iv attached to its leg! When Nana and Ida Wilmar whisper to each other and Jill hears that same word -- Sonnabend -- she determines to uncover the truth behind the mysteries in Winter Haven. But she soon finds herself in grave danger when she uncovers the biggest secret of all -- and must run for her life!
Based on startling historical events that took place in the harbors of Maine during World War II, Shadows on the Sea is a fast-paced mystery that will keep readers guessing from beginning to end.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689849265
• ISBN13: 9780689849268
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Jill and the Horrid War

Shadows on the Sea takes place in Maine during World War II, and it is the year of 1942. This is an intriguing book about a girl named Jill Winters. Her dad, Drew Winters, is a famous singer. When her Uncle Cliff gets sick, her mother needs to go see him and Jill's father arranges for Jill to go by herself, by train, to Maine, to see her Nana. Ever since Jill's mother went to see her Uncle Cliff, Jill has been listening to the radio to hear if a German U-boat torpedoed the ship her mother went on. On the train, Jill meets a rich girl named Wendy and she and Jill become friends. From there the story begins. The two remain friends for a time then Jill meets a boy called Quarry and he introduces the girls to a group called the Crystals. You have to be voted in to the Crystals and Jill was voted in because her father was famous. Wendy wasn't and, so, Jill and Wendy's friendship broke up. Jill and Quarry remained friends though. Then Jill found Sarge, her Nana's cat eating a pigeon, she found a flask attached to the pigeons leg, and in it was a piece of paper with "sonnabend IV" written on it. Jill told Quarry about it. This is the mystery part; from there you will start staying up at night to read. This book is good for people that are interested in World War II and are ages 9 and up. I really enjoyed this book; it is historical fiction. If you are not a fan of reading, this book will get you reading. If you are looking for books to read, Joan Hiatt Harlow is the author of this book and many more great books.

Shadows on the Sea isn't your average historical fiction!!!!

Shadows on the Sea was one of the best books I've ever read!! It doesn't bore you like a blah old historical fiction book! It really gives you a great perspective of what it would be like during the war, and it also has an amazing plot! Other that facts, it also is like a realistic-fiction book! If you have to read a historical-fiction book, and you know you don't enjoy them, pick up this book, because it is exactly like a realistic-fiction book! It's totally amazing!!! I loved the book!!!!

a page turner!!!!!!!!!!!

this book is really good!!! i couldn't put it down! it is about a teen girl *Jill*, who's dad is a famous singer *drew winters*, & her mother has 2 cross the gulf of mexico 2 visit her sick brother. this book takes place during WWII. while her parents are away, she lives w/ her grandmother in Winter Haven, Maine. where she meets 2 people who become her close friends, Quarry and Wendy. in Winter Haven, they start 2 uncover some secrets. what do they find out? what secrets are some people in this town trying 2 hide? read this book 2 find out! this book is a real mystery!!!!!!

GREAT Story

I love Shadows on the Sea. It's a GREAT msytery! I could not stop reading it. I liked Jill and Wendy and I wondered what happened to Wendy. But my teacher says she's not the main character and maybe Joan hiatt harlow will write a sequell. It is a really neat story even though it happened long ago.The kids seeemed real. The bird (carrier pigeon)was a good idea for the mystery. The Crystals were real mean and I know some kids just like them. It must have been hard to be at war. I like all of Joan Hiatt Harlows books. She is a good author. Tracy

Vivid and suspenseful

Shadows on the Sea is a page turner. The author skillfully combines intriguing characters and a vivid, suspenseful plot with a fascinating and little-known episode during the second World War. Kids will love the believable dialogue. This book is a treat and offers interesting historical information as well.