I received this as an ARC through librarything from the publisher, Orca Book Publishers, in exchange for an honest review.

At first, I was really bummed, after receiving this book. The ARC giveaways aren't labeled the best, so I didn't know it was for young kids (suggested age 9 ). The brief description made me think otherwise. That aside, it was a good story, but a little far-fetched for my taste (even as a kid).

This felt a little like an adult book that had been shortened and dumbed down for kids. Some of the conversations that Webb and his grandfather had, though apropos for someone in their early to mid teens would, I think, go over the heads of your average 9 year old. They don't know who Carl Jung is, nor do I see them caring about or knowing the difference between introverts and extroverts. Grant it, Brouwer does a great job in explaining in in terms they'd understand. I highly doubt that most 9 year old boys would really care about crushing on a girl for the first time and how complicated that feels, but that's just me. I specify that audience, because that IS who it feels like this book was written for. The story is, otherwise, written too simply for early teen readers.

Now, some of the other topics, like bottling up feelings and not having a good relationship with step parents are great. It'd show kids who are in similar situations that they're not alone and there are people out there just like them, even if (to them) they're only characters in a story.

One thing that I was really impressed with was the imagery that Brouwer forced on his readers of the Barracuda, which was a theme through out the story, whether the reader realized it initially or not, despite the title. I think the best part was his description of the fish at the end to really tie everything together. In my opinion, this is a great book for a teacher to use to introduce kids to the idea of imagery and metaphors in writing, especially since it spells out EXACTLY the reasoning behind everything. ( )

Well-written coming-of-age story, a very good rendering of a thirteen year old boy, Jim Webb. He goes by the name of Webb and he is not happy to be spending his summer with his grandfather in the Florida Keys, more precisely Little Torch Key, especially since some of that time is to be spent visiting a dying friend of his grandfather. Webb is completely disgruntled...until he meets a young girl, one who is not only interesting but in a band. Webb was given his Dad's guitar when he died, his only comfort until now, and she invites him into the band. There is a lot going on in this book, some sweet, some sour, but there are lessons to be learned here, if he will take the time to learn them and understand. I would say Sigmund Brouwer has a great appreciation for life at Webb's age, as well as his family circumstances. This book really held my attention, it was sad, humorous, unusual, and adventurous. I really enjoyed it for all its oddities of life. ( )

This is a perfect book for the age group of 9-12 year olds. Boys love adventure books and this is certainly packed with excitement. Well written and comparable to other authors who write for this age group like Anthony Horowitz. I hope they will buy and read this...if you can get them away from all the Minecraft fiction! ( )

The Synopsis

In a prequel to “Devil s Pass” and “Tin Soldier,”, Jim Webb wants nothing more than to hunt barracuda from a kayak on the Florida Keys. It’s when he discovers a generations old crime that he realizes just how dangerous the Keys really are and what truly lurks in the water. On this journey of mystery and self discovery Jim is about to find out a whole lot.

The Review

Okay first off let me say this book is geared for ages 9-12 so i will be reviewing it for that age group. I thought for the generation it was interned for it was a great book. It had lots of valuable lessons and some mini history thrown in it throughout. I also loved that the author describes thing in a away that 9 year olds can understand. This book was so much fun and had a young Indiana Jones, meets Alex Cross esque feel to it. i think the age group its targeted for was perfect. I cant wait to read this book to my nephew. 4 stars! And thank you librarything and the publisher, Orca Book Publishers for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Imagine my surprise when I realized I’d agreed to review a book written for middle-schoolers! I had read another book by Sigmund Brouwer years ago and remembered enjoying it very much, so I requested this one. So, I committed myself to doing the book justice by reading it and reviewing it. Imagine my bigger surprise to find that I truly enjoyed it! Along the way, I discovered that BARRACUDA is a prequel to a book that Brouwer wrote as part of a seven-book series, called “The Seven Series”. It is subtitled, “7 Grandsons, 7 Journeys, 7 Authors, 1 Amazing Series”. There is also, “The Seven Sequels”. What a wonderful idea!

At any rate, BARRACUDA stands alone and tells the tale of Jim Webb, “Webb,” who goes to the Florida Keys to spend his holiday with his grandfather, David. Webb feels manipulated when he learns that his grandfather expects him to accompany him to visit a dying friend, Jonathan. As any savvy 13-year-old in Webb’s situation would figure out, David is hoping that by sitting by his dying friend, Webb will open up about his own father’s death, years past, and something he has never talked about. Of course, Webb has no intention of cooperating with his grandfather’s plan. What happens is that Webb and his grandfather get swept up in a mystery when Jonathan reveals that people close to him are after his wealth, in the form of diamonds, and asks Webb and David to help him by bringing him his stash of diamonds. The plan is that once they have retrieved the first batch from its hiding place, Jonathan will reveal the next hiding place. Unfortunately, not only is the first box empty, but Jonathan dies before he is able to tell them where the rest are to be found. Webb finds that he is being wooed by a pretty 15-year-old in the neighborhood, but there is something fishy about her persistence and about her creepy, smoking boyfriend. And then there’s the fishing charter boat that he and his grandfather were supposed to be on that capsizes out in the Gulf Stream.

Along the way, we get a great story with significant things to say about death and dying, that death is not something to be feared, even by a youngster. Webb expects to find Jonathan something repulsive but learns that he is wrong and finds a way to face the death of his own father and be healed. He is changed by his experience with his grandfather and is reconciled with his father and himself. Plus, he gets to hunt for diamonds, and who doesn’t love that? ( )