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The Willoughby Spit Wonder
In a poignant story of a family struggling against loss — and a boy who would be a superhero — Jonathon Scott Fuqua evokes, in rich detail, the long-ago era of the 1950s.
He looked at her. "Minnie, have you ever wondered if maybe Mom’s from Atlantis? We’ve only seen her parents twice, ever, and her dad looked funny and had to breathe out of that mask. See what I mean? Have you ever thought of that?"
It’s 1953 and the Korean War is over, but Carter Johnston loves to watch the navy bombers come and go, their great gray bodies skimming the waters of Chesapeake Bay as they guard against the Communist threat. With his family facing a threat of a different kind, Carter dreams of being a superhero. Could he be like the Sub-Mariner, and become the Boy Who Swam Across Hampton Roads, the Willoughby Spit Wonder? Carter’s sister, Minnie, says he’ll get himself killed, but Carter needs to show their ailing father that success comes to those who try. If his dad wants to stay alive as badly as Carter wants to be like the Sub-Mariner, it can happen. Can’t it?
He looked at her. "Minnie, have you ever wondered if maybe Mom’s from Atlantis? We’ve only seen her parents twice, ever, and her dad looked funny and had to breathe out of that mask. See what I mean? Have you ever thought of that?"
It’s 1953 and the Korean War is over, but Carter Johnston loves to watch the navy bombers come and go, their great gray bodies skimming the waters of Chesapeake Bay as they guard against the Communist threat. With his family facing a threat of a different kind, Carter dreams of being a superhero. Could he be like the Sub-Mariner, and become the Boy Who Swam Across Hampton Roads, the Willoughby Spit Wonder? Carter’s sister, Minnie, says he’ll get himself killed, but Carter needs to show their ailing father that success comes to those who try. If his dad wants to stay alive as badly as Carter wants to be like the Sub-Mariner, it can happen. Can’t it?
160 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2004
About the author
Jonathon Scott Fuqua
15 books12 followersJonathon Scott Fuqua has written the highly praised and Alex Award-winning novel, The Reappearance of Sam Webber, as well as the critically acclaimed and recently published book, Gone and Back Again.
He is also the author of three much lauded, award-winning young adult novels: King of the Pygmies, DARBY, and The Willoughby Spit Wonder.
For teenagers and adults, he penned a groundbreaking graphic novel, In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe. All of his published books are available nationally and internationally.
Most recently, Fuqua published his children's book, Calvert The Raven in the Battle of Baltimore. The first installment in his Flying Through History Series, the book commemorates the Battle of Baltimore in the war of 1812, which led to the retreat of the British Armada and inspired the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Fuqua has received two Maryland State Arts Council Awards for fiction writing, and is the writer-in-residence at the Carver Center for the Arts. Both his writings and paintings have appeared in newspapers, magazines, books, on book covers, posters, limited edition prints, postcards, and stationery. A teacher of fiction writing, literature, and art, he lives in Baltimore with his wife and daughter.
He is also the author of three much lauded, award-winning young adult novels: King of the Pygmies, DARBY, and The Willoughby Spit Wonder.
For teenagers and adults, he penned a groundbreaking graphic novel, In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe. All of his published books are available nationally and internationally.
Most recently, Fuqua published his children's book, Calvert The Raven in the Battle of Baltimore. The first installment in his Flying Through History Series, the book commemorates the Battle of Baltimore in the war of 1812, which led to the retreat of the British Armada and inspired the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Fuqua has received two Maryland State Arts Council Awards for fiction writing, and is the writer-in-residence at the Carver Center for the Arts. Both his writings and paintings have appeared in newspapers, magazines, books, on book covers, posters, limited edition prints, postcards, and stationery. A teacher of fiction writing, literature, and art, he lives in Baltimore with his wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 5, 2013
gr 5-8
1953 Norfolk, Virginia. Carter loves comic books especially ones about Prince Nemor. Carter fantasizes about someday being just like Prince Nemor and his dad plays along hinting that, like Prince Nemor's mother, Carter's mother is from Atlantis too. As Carter's dad health worsens, Carter is determined to do something daring to show his dad the importance of not giving up....
The story had interesting characters, a lot of information about 1950s life, some references to WWII (in which Carter's dad served), and used humor to help contrast the more serious parts of the story.
I recommend the story to someone looking for a quick read about the 1950s and doesn't mind a story with some serious parts.
1953 Norfolk, Virginia. Carter loves comic books especially ones about Prince Nemor. Carter fantasizes about someday being just like Prince Nemor and his dad plays along hinting that, like Prince Nemor's mother, Carter's mother is from Atlantis too. As Carter's dad health worsens, Carter is determined to do something daring to show his dad the importance of not giving up....
The story had interesting characters, a lot of information about 1950s life, some references to WWII (in which Carter's dad served), and used humor to help contrast the more serious parts of the story.
I recommend the story to someone looking for a quick read about the 1950s and doesn't mind a story with some serious parts.
March 5, 2013
gr 5-8
1953 Norfolk, Virginia. Carter loves comic books especially ones about Prince Nemor. Carter fantasizes about someday being just like Prince Nemor and his dad plays along hinting that, like Prince Nemor's mother, Carter's mother is from Atlantis too. As Carter's dad health worsens, Carter is determined to do something daring to show his dad the importance of not giving up....
The story had interesting characters, a lot of information about 1950s life, some references to WWII (in which Carter's dad served), and used humor to help contrast the more serious parts of the story.
I recommend the story to someone looking for a quick read about the 1950s and doesn't mind a story with some serious parts.
1953 Norfolk, Virginia. Carter loves comic books especially ones about Prince Nemor. Carter fantasizes about someday being just like Prince Nemor and his dad plays along hinting that, like Prince Nemor's mother, Carter's mother is from Atlantis too. As Carter's dad health worsens, Carter is determined to do something daring to show his dad the importance of not giving up....
The story had interesting characters, a lot of information about 1950s life, some references to WWII (in which Carter's dad served), and used humor to help contrast the more serious parts of the story.
I recommend the story to someone looking for a quick read about the 1950s and doesn't mind a story with some serious parts.
August 29, 2013
This book was terrible. I had to read a historical fiction book and do a report for history. We had to tell how the characters dealt with the moment in history and it really didn't have a lot to do with the events taking place in history.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews