HELL AND HIGH WATER, by Tanya Landman

The story: When biracial Caleb's father is wrongfully convicted in 1750s Britain, the teen makes his escape to an aunt's house on the west coast of England. Yet his life there is filled with prejudice, contempt, and even mystery...and when his father's body washes up on the shore, no one believes it's him. When Caleb and his "cousin" Letty start looking for answers, they find conspiracy, smugglers, and corruption going all the way to the top. Who's going to believe a "darkie" when he accuses the richest man in town?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (racial prejudice, murder, conspiracy, slave trading) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: I found this to be a fascinating look at 1750s England, as well as a tightly-paced adventure story and mystery. The challenge is convincing kids that the historical fiction aspect is not only NOT a drawback, but that instead it's a bonus, giving readers a glimpse into a place and culture that really adds to the story. Worth hand-selling to your mystery fans.