Ahoy there me mateys!  If ye have not read the Rockton series, then I do not recommend that ye start here.  This spin-off builds off of the first series and honestly, I do believe a new reader would have a hard time because of the history and interpersonal relationship drama that feeds directly from the first series into this one.

I loved loved loved this book.  On a hike, ten year old Max believes that he saw a bear with human eyes.  Casey and Eric, the town leaders, feel that Max is not quite clear on what he saw due to his recent trauma.  Though a bear is nothing to take lightly. Of course life in Haven's Rock gets more complicated when Max goes missing.

Aye, this series continues to be excessive with animal encounters and has silliness but this was such outright fun.  It matched me mood exactly.  I loved Max as a major character and enjoyed getting chapters from his point-of-view.  The interactions of Casey and Eric with the miners was also fun.  I thought that overall the solution to Max's situation was well done.  I particularly like that Max had some agency - unlike many of the adults throughout the troubled town's past.

But ultimately, it is watching the recurring characters evolve that continue to make this series delightful.  There were a couple of particular episodes of Casey and also with miners that suggest intriguing future possibilities.  Can we also please have more of Mathias?  I need the next one!  Arrr!