Buccaneer's Spit

Twelve-year-old Callie expects her spring break in South Carolina to be a visit with her grandfather, but her parents have sent her there alone, and she is convinced the adults around her are hiding something. She is determined to uncover it. A lively Jack Russell Terrier and a friend who carries a secret of his own keep her company.

The story mixes a mystery tied to pirate lore with a growing threat to the local environment. Science, technology, engineering and math ideas run throughout, and the interplay between Callie and the boy drives much of the action as both of them grow up a little along the way. A significant supporting character has dyslexia, and the book is set in the OpenDyslexic typeface.

The book suits high-low readers and reluctant readers, and it will appeal to anyone who enjoyed The Goonies.