Dark Water

From School Library Journal Gr 8 Up–The catastrophic wildfires that ravaged Southern California in 2007 serve as the backdrop for this compelling story of a forbidden romance with tragic consequences. In the inland farming community of Fallbrook, 15-year-old Pearl tells her story through a leisurely voice. She deals with her parents' divorce; her cousin's anger at his father's suspected adultery; and, most significantly, her undeniable attraction to the alluring undocumented Mexican migrant worker Amiel, whose damaged vocal chords limit his speech but not his communication. Disaster is referred to throughout the narrative, filling readers with a sense of foreboding as Pearl's persistence overcomes Amiel's trepidation and the two draw together in an intense secret affair. All of this leads to a heart-pounding final act when the wildfire breaks out and Pearl must choose between family and romance, safety and uncertainty. The ramifications of the ill-fated decisions made by both Pearl and Amiel will surely spark strong discussion among readers. Both the plot and setting are grounded in rich, realistic detail; the author's love for the town of Fallbrook shines vividly through lyrical descriptions of avocado groves and orange blossoms. While Amiel remains a somewhat mysterious figure, Pearl's relationships with her family and friends are fully realized through her nostalgic recollections of simpler times. Drawn in by the appeal of clandestine love and looming disaster, teens will also be rewarded with much thought-provoking substance in this novel's complex characters and hauntingly ambiguous ending._Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA_ © Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Review ''This debut solo effort after several collaborations with husband Tom McNeal (_The Decoding of Lana Morris_, 2007, etc.) stands out in the crowded coming-of-age field. The affecting narrative springs believably from the first-person thoughts of Pearl DeWitt as she recalls her 15th summer, when, entranced by a nearly mute, illegal Mexican migrant worker, the beautiful and gifted teenage Amiel, Pearl makes choices that lead to tragedy. Evocative language electrifies the scenes between the pair, as they develop a relationship both complicated and deepened by their limited verbal communication. Her warnings to readers of impending disaster amplify rather than diminish the impact of the misguided, wrenching decisions she makes when a raging wildfire sweeps through their rural California community. Besides her poignant relationship with Amiel, Pearl navigates her father’s recent abandonment of her and her mother and her complicated relationship with her cousin Robby as he blunderingly deals with his father’s apparent infidelity. Notable for well-drawn characters, an engaging plot and, especially, hauntingly beautiful language, this is an outstanding book.''_ -_ Kirkus Reviews , starred review From School Library Journal Gr 8 Up鈥揟he catastrophic wildfires that ravaged Southern California in 2007 serve as the backdrop for this compelling story of a forbidden romance with tragic consequences. In the inland farming community of Fallbrook, 15-year-old Pearl tells her story through a leisurely voice. She deals with her parents' divorce; her cousin's anger at his father's suspected adultery; and, most significantly, her undeniable attraction to the alluring undocumented Mexican migrant worker Amiel, whose damaged vocal chords limit his speech but not his communication. Disaster is referred to throughout the narrative, filling readers with a sense of foreboding as Pearl's persistence overcomes Amiel's trepidation and the two draw together in an intense secret affair. All of this leads to a heart-pounding final act when the wildfire breaks out and Pearl must choose between family and romance, safety and uncertainty. The ramifications of the ill-fated decisions made by both Pearl and Amiel will surely spark strong discussion among readers. Both the plot and setting are grounded in rich, realistic detail; the author's love for the town of Fallbrook shines vividly through lyrical descriptions of avocado groves and orange blossoms. While Amiel remains a somewhat mysterious figure, Pearl's relationships with her family and friends are fully realized through her nostalgic recollections of simpler times. Drawn in by the appeal of clandestine love and looming disaster, teens will also be rewarded with much thought-provoking substance in this novel's complex characters and hauntingly ambiguous ending._Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA_ 漏 Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Review "This debut solo effort after several collaborations with husband Tom McNeal (_The Decoding of Lana Morris_, 2007, etc.) stands out in the crowded coming-of-age field. The affecting narrative springs believably from the first-person thoughts of Pearl DeWitt as she recalls her 15th summer, when, entranced by a nearly mute, illegal Mexican migrant worker, the beautiful and gifted teenage Amiel, Pearl makes choices that lead to tragedy. Evocative language electrifies the scenes between the pair, as they develop a relationship both complicated and deepened by their limited verbal communication. Her warnings to readers of impending disaster amplify rather than diminish the impact of the misguided, wrenching decisions she makes when a raging wildfire sweeps through their rural California community. Besides her poignant relationship with Amiel, Pearl navigates her father鈥檚 recent abandonment of her and her mother and her complicated relationship with her cousin Robby as he blunderingly deals with his father鈥檚 apparent infidelity. Notable for well-drawn characters, an engaging plot and, especially, hauntingly beautiful language, this is an outstanding book."_ -_ Kirkus Reviews , starred review Fiction,General,United States,People & Places,Action & Adventure,Juvenile Fiction,Family Life,Friendship,Social Issues,Family,Emigration & Immigration,Illegal aliens,Divorce & Separation,Cousins,Homeless persons,Family life - California,Homelessness & Poverty,Marriage & Divorce,California,Divorce,Love & Romance,Family & Relationships,Wildfires

fifteen-year-old Pearl Dewitt And Her Mother Live In Fallbrook, California, Where It’s Sunny 340 Days Of The Year, And Where Her Uncle Owns A Grove Of 900 Avocado Trees. Uncle Hoyt Hires Migrant Workers Regularly, But Pearl Doesn’t Pay Much Attention To Them . . . Until Amiel. From The Moment She Sees Him, Pearl Is Drawn To This Boy Who Keeps To Himself, Fears Being Caught By la Migra, And Is Mysteriously Unable To Talk. And After Coming Across Amiel’s Makeshift Hut Near Agua Prieta Creek, Pearl Falls Into A Precarious Friendship—and A Forbidden Romance.

then The Wildfires Strike. Fallbrook—the Town Of Marigolds And Palms, Blood Oranges And Sweet Limes—is Threatened By The Agua Prieta Fire, And A Mandatory Evacuation Order Is Issued. But Pearl Knows That Amiel Is In The Direct Path Of The Fire, With No One To Warn Him, No Way To Get Out. Slipping Away From Safety And Her Family, Pearl Moves Toward The Dark Creek, Where The Smoke Has Become Air, The Air Smoke.

laura Mcneal Has Crafted A Beautiful And Haunting Novel Full Of Peril, Desperation, And Love.

from The Hardcover Edition.

the Washington Post - Mary Quattlebaum

although Amiel Sometimes Seems Less A Fully Realized Character Than A Projection Of Pearl's Loneliness And Need, The Particular Strength Of This Haunting Story Is Pearl's Motivation To Tell It. She Seeks Not To Excuse But To Understand And Take Responsibility For Her Actions.

Fifteen-year-old Pearl DeWitt and her mother live in Fallbrook, California, where its sunny 340 days of the year, and where her uncle owns a grove of 900 avocado trees. Uncle Hoyt hires migrant workers regularly, but Pearl doesnt pay much attention to them . . . until Amiel. From the moment she sees him, Pearl is drawn to this boy who keeps to himself, fears being caught by la migra, and is mysteriously unable to talk. And after coming across Amiels makeshift hut near Agua Prieta Creek, Pearl falls into a precarious friendshipand a forbidden romance. Then the wildfires strike. Fallbrookthe town of marigolds and palms, blood oranges and sweet limesis threatened by the Agua Prieta fire, and a mandatory evacuation order is issued. But Pearl knows that Amiel is in the direct path of the fire, with no one to warn him, no way to get out. Slipping away from safety and her family, Pearl moves toward the dark creek, where the smoke has become air, the air smoke. Laura McNeal has crafted a beautiful and haunting novel full of peril, desperation, and love. A National Book Award FinalistA Kirkus Reviews Best Books for TeensFifteen-year-old Pearl DeWitt lives in Fallbrook, California, where it's sunny 340 days of the year, and where her uncle owns a grove of 900 avocado trees. Uncle Hoyt hires migrant workers regularly, but Pearl doesn't pay much attention to them...until Amiel. From the moment she sees him, Pearl is drawn to this boy who keeps to himself, fears being caught by la migra, and is mysteriously unable to talk.Then the wildfires strike. Living in a cottage on her uncle's southern California avocado ranch since her parent's messy divorce, fifteen-year-old Pearl Dewitt meets and falls in love with an illegal migrant worker, and is trapped with him when wildfires approach his makeshift forest home.