Dark Water

Gr 9 Up—Laura McNeal's haunting tale (Knopf, 2010) about Pearl DeWitt, a 15-year-old with two different colored eyes, takes place in Falls River, California, near the Mexican border, with the actual 2007 catastrophic wildfires as the background. Pearl's divorced mother is desperately struggling to raise her daughter alone. Everything seems calm on the surface, but there's trouble raging. When Pearl's uncle hires illegal migrant workers to tend his avocado trees, she meets Amiel, who has limited speech, but attracts Pearl with his mysterious vibes. There is romance, love, mystery, and tragedy as fires rage across the county and Pearl is the only one who can warn Amiel that's he is in the direct path of the fire. The author creates one unforgettable image after another. Detailed descriptions of silkworms and the ever-changing California sky add vivid imagery and symbolism to the story. The audio version is haunting. Eileen Stevens's voice is clear and expressive, her pronunciation of the Spanish words is spot-on, and she changes her tone to reflect the different characters. Teens will relate to the dilemmas Pearl faces. Stevens's exceptional audio performance and the compelling story make this a must-have.—Ellen Frank, Jamaica High School, NY