Secret of Poplar Island by Beth Deemer

Ever since 12-year-old Josh could remember, people told stories about Poplar Island. Indians massacred settlers there, ghosts of pirates walked there, a weird old man lived there alone. Everyone had a story, but no one had really gone to find out more. Josh agreed to explore with his buddy, Teague. The mission is a near disaster when their boat sinks and the boys are at the mercy of the island’s mysterious Mr. Melvin Wright for a boatride home. Josh, who loves boats and who is a genius with small machinery, is determined to buy another boat, an inexpensive wreck that he and Teague can repair. They plan to work at odd jobs for the money. Jimmy, a sleazy teenager, sells the boys a dilapidated scow, which they take into their hearts, and on which they lavish love, elbow grease, and money. But the boys learn that the boat was actually stolen property and must be returned immediately without compensation for their work and expense. Mad and depressed, they commiserate with Melvin, who is a good lis-tener. As their friendship grows, they learn that Melvin is the island’s caretaker. His oyster and rockfish beds help the environment. Soon the three join forces in a mutually beneficial venture. The boys will harvest and sell the fish to local restaurants, thereby earning the money for a new boat. The business is good, and friendship grows.
Tragedy strikes when Melvin has a heart attack. Jimmy sneaks onto the island to steal a very special boat to sell to support his drug habit. The boys save Melvin and foil Jimmy’s plot, but not before Josh discovers the boat, takes on Jimmy, and gets the boat to run. This is a wonderful story of friendship and what can go right with a little well-placed

Beth Deemer is a native of Maryland.