Alek (Children of Crow Cove)
Gr 4-7-Doup has grown up enough to accept the death of his horse from old age and to want to use his real name: Alek. When he and his father go to visit Alek's brother, Ravnar, he gets caught up in Ravnar's life and the doings of his small village. Hired to work at an inn, he elects to stay with his brother even after his father leaves. He pays close attention to all that is happening and discovers an evil scheme to wreck passing ships on the rocks to gain the rights to the cargo. After one brutal wreck, he rescues a girl, Thala, who speaks a different language, and brings her back to Ravnar's cottage. The two brothers and Thala want to find the murderers and bring them to justice. As always in Bredsdorff's books, there is a clear understanding of human nature, ethical dilemmas are unraveled, and the language has a lyrical crispness that makes the reading rewarding. While youngsters would do well to have read the earlier titles, there is still enough adventure and courage in this one to satisfy newcomers. This novel emphasizes that humans' connections to one another make life rewarding by showing that Alek's efforts to do right pay off. An immensely satisfying ending to the series.-Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library, COα(c) Copyright 2011.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.