This story is about two really different girls who come together over a summer and become friends. They also end up solving a community mystery which makes it a little fun and kind of scary.

Quicksand Pond was an intriguing and delightful read. There was suspense and character development that worked together in a way that made me want to keep reading. I wanted to know more of the stories of the characters involved. In the end, the major plot resolved itself, but I was left wanting to know what happened with many of the other characters and story lines. There was a lot going on in the book. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would love to see more follow up books dedicated to some of the other characters.

I recently read QUICKSAND POND by Janet Taylor Lisle – even though this is geared to younger students (the protagonist are about 12 years old), I have enjoyed other works by her (Afternoon of the Elves; Black Duck) and was looking for a relaxing read over the holiday weekend. QUICKSAND POND made for a very atmospheric read – as though you could smell the ocean and hear the insects. Two girls, Jessie and Terri, discover a raft and have fun fixing it while building a friendship, too. But danger lurks and there is a long ago murder involving an old lady who lives in a mansion near the pond. Doesn't it sound perfect for the late elementary and early middle school readers looking for summer reading in addition to Nancy Drew and The Westing Game by Raskin or The Velvet Room by Snyder? The first half was great, but then the adults became involved and suddenly the girls are taught that a friendship with someone from one of "those" families was no longer acceptable. From there, QUICKSAND POND told a story of snobbery and prejudice in an awkward and uncomfortable way, even though it received starred reviews from both Booklist and Kirkus.

Quicksand Pond by Janet Taylor Lisle is an interesting historical mystery, and modern day problems that my middle grade students will enjoy.

Jessie, her father and her siblings Julia and Jonathan are staying at a run down house near Quicksand Pond for six weeks in the summer. The father is an English teacher who doesn't like to spend money, so he's fine with the moldy floors and lack of technology. Their mother is staying behind in Pittsburgh to work. Julia finds a group of teens to hang out with, and Jonathan is happy staying close to the house, but Jessie is enthralled with the pond. Once she finds a raft, and meets Terri, a girl from the neighborhood, she spends most of her time outside. Terri has a difficult life; her father is an alcoholic who frequently abuses her. A neighbor, Miss Cutting, meets the girls and tells them they may use the tools in her garage to repair the raft. Miss Cutting's own past is entwined with Terri's family; her parents were murdered when she was young, and Terri's great grandfather was sent to jail for it, although he was most likely not guilty. Terri makes some bad choices, and Jessie is not supposed to spend time with her, especially after there are a series of incidents that make Terri look guilty.

I received an ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Atheneum Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When you read a book by certain authors you expect greatness. It is wonderful when an author delivers yet again and disappointing when it just doesn't live up to your expectations. I am not sure exactly where this falls for me. I thought the writing was well done and for the most part I liked the story.

Jessie is on vacation with her family and discovers a raft upon which she starts exploring around the pond. She is soon joined by Terri. Unfortunately Terri and her family have a history and while their friendship is genuine others feel it is doomed. Meanwhile, an elderly lady watches the girls using the raft and is taken back to her childhood days on a raft and a terrible event that led to the downfall of Terri's family.

But the ending though... too many loose ends and unsettled emotions. I also was disappointed in the treatment of Terri and how no one came to her help when she was obviously abused.