Helpful Score: 4
While this is a fiction book, it has historical basis, and the author has done a wonderful job blending fact and fiction. The book is written for teens; however, even my husband, who rarely reads fiction, thoroughly enjoyed this book. Besides being a good read, the boys' choices make you stop and think about all the shades of gray of the choices we make. We have a 20-minute period of reading every day at school (some set aside for read-alouds too), and my students beg me nearly every day to continue reading from this book. There is enough action and suspense in the story to keep even reluctant readers interested. Even though Black Duck is a teen book, this book is at the top of my list as one of my favorites.
