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The Dark Lighthouse
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Sandy Larsen
Merritt Park Press
325 36th Ave. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
0-9666677-3-5
$5.99
From Jennifer, mother of an 8-year-old boy:
"My son loves this series. Do you have plans to publish any more? He is so sad that he's almost finished with the 4th book--he doesn't want it to end! He wants to know if it would be okay with you if he wrote a story or two based on your characters from Jackpine Point Adventures."
From Sarah, age 10:
"I thought I'd drop you a few lines about your books. Some of the parts got quite a few laughs out of me! I especially liked The Dark Lighthouse. I just finished reading it and it was really interesting. The part that I liked best was when the kids were on the gallery of the lighthouse, leaning against the glass and looking at the view."
Lake Superior Magazine, November 2000
The fourth in the Jackpine Point Adventures series of books for young readers, this novel finds the young friends practicing for a play for the centennial celebration of the Bell Harbor Lighthouse near their homes on Lake Superior. Written for readers 10 to 12 years old, the same ages as the kids in the book, this mystery involves what appears to be the ghost of the lightkeeper. Rolling along at a nice pace, the story will keep youthful readers engrossed in the activities of the Jackpine Pointers.
Children's Bookwatch, August 2000
Twelve-year-old David Malloy and his friends live on the shores of Big Lake near a ruined tower of the original Jackpine Point Lighthouse which mysteriously burned down a century earlier leaving three graves to add to its historical mystery. A pageant by the historical society based on that long ago event is underway when a stranger shows up looking and acting like a lighthouse keeper of the past. He re-writes the play and directs the renovation work on the ruins. When the stranger's true story is revealed, young David must act fast, facing both danger and his own decidedly mixed feelings. The Dark Lighthouse is the fourth volume in Sandy Larsen's highly acclaimed and recommended "Jackpine Point Adventure" series for young readers ages 10 to 14.
Duluth Budgeteer-News, April 23, 2000
by Kyle Eller
Too many writers, for young and old, don't take care of the basics of beginning, middle and end in their books. Larsen tell a story, and tells it well. . . . This book is full of writerly things -- making fun of words and David's little asides to himself, for instance -- and that makes for fun reading. . . . The opening wastes no time getting readers involved, the middle develops the plot and subplots, and the end ties up everything. . . . Based on the two books in the series I've read, I recommend parents and kids check out all four. Best of all, parents who preread books for their kids will probably actually enjoy it, too.
From Olivia, age 11:
I LOVE your books!! You write pretty much the same as me. I can relate to David and Cathy. And I have friends like all of them. Once again, you are an awesome writer!!
From Ronald and Teresa, parents and home schoolers:
"Our daughter really loves your books. We thank you for writing them and publishing them."
Children's Bookwatch, January 2000
David can't wait for the father-son fishing trip, but everything changes when he finds out the most obnoxious person at Bell Harbor Middle School is coming along. Then things get even worse when Most Obnoxious Person disappears right under the Pointers' noses and they go on a search party to find him. Besides the bugs and the swamp, there's the compass which Dillon doesn't know how to use. Throw in a spooky cabin and a canoe that unties itself from the dock, and you have all the ingredients for a terrific Jackpine Point Adventure tale. "Something's Fishy" is the third and highly recommended title in Sandy Larsen's outstanding Jackpine Point series for young readers ages 10 to 14, along with "The Re-Appearing Statue" and "Ice Festival."
Sandy Larsen
Merritt Park Press
325 36th Ave. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
0-9666677-1-9
$5.99
From Josh, fourth grade:
"That book was funny!! I hope you write another!"
From Susan, Josh's mom:
"Joshua quickly devoured it up with great enjoyment. We are thankful for good literature & we especially appreciate good books for our children."
Children's Bookwatch, May 1999
Five young friends (two girls and three boys) live on the shores of "the Big Lake." Ice Festival is the second book of their adventures and involves mysterious and sinister diamond-shaped messages that keep showing up as they participate in five Winter Fun Frolic events (Snowball Slow Pitch, B'Icicle Race, Snowshoe Sprints, Singin'-in-the-Snow; and the Ice Sculpture Contest). This lively novel is written for young readers ages 10-14. Also highly recommended is the first book in the "Jackpine Point Adventures" series, The Re-Appearing Statue.
The Re-Appearing Statue
Sandy Larsen
Merritt Park Press
325 36th Ave. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
0-9666677-0-0
$5.99From Christie, parent in Indiana:
"I just wanted to tell you how much my two oldest children are enjoying your novels -- they love them! My 11 y.o. daughter reads them aloud to my 9 y.o. son, and once in a while she pauses to ask him if he understood something, and then they go on, laughing at something in the story, and enjoying the time together. Makes me glad I purchased all 4!"
From Beth, third grade:
"I love your book The Re-Appearing Statue. My friend recommended it for me to read. It is really good. I even showed it to my teacher. So far it is really good. My friend said that she has 2 other books in the series. I really want to read them."
From Ozzie, age 10:
"I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it if you like mysteries."
From Eve, age 14:
"Very well written, interesting and funny!"
Children's Bookwatch, February 1999
Jackpine Point, up north on the Big Lake, is home for five young friends who go to Bell Harbor Middle School. Things started happening when Ripper Wilter came to town. Now young David Malloy must figure out a workable answer to the question of "how do you feed your enemy when he threatens to eat you for lunch?" The Re-Appearing Statue is a rousing good adventure for young readers (ages 10 to 14) launching a new, exciting Jackpine Point Adventures series featuring five friends who live, make mistakes, laugh, get mad, and keep learning about life in their northwoods home by the Big Lake.
UpNorth Newspaper Network, December 1998
By Kyle Eller
Strong story, writing blend perfectly in youth book.
This book, in addition to being well-written, was a pleasantly absorbing read -- a nice surprise in a book geared to people less than half my age....The characters...are all convincing preteens, and the story, set in the preteen world of school, bike-riding and bullies, rips through the book's 132 pages...
Larsen shows a keen eye for youth characters...and she did a particularly fine job with the dialogue...The writing is strong and delivers a surprising sidelight -- some fun plays on words....Young readers and even some older ones will find The Re-Appearing Statue a highly satisfying read, and parents need not worry about seeing it in a child's hand. "Statue" would make an excellent gift.
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