What do you think?
Rate this book
Mystery on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is a summer vacation spot in Michigan where no cars are allowed, so everyone uses horses and bikes to get around. Thirteen-year-old Hunter Martineau lives on the island year around and knows everything about the place.Well, almost everything. When bikes start to mysteriously disappear all over the island, Hunter is determined to catch the thief and claim the reward money. But that isn't so easy, even for someone as smart as Hunter. Hunter gathers clues and follows suspects to secret places. But every lead turns out to be a dead end - until the thief gives himself away, and Hunter realizes that he is in real danger. Along the way, Hunter makes new friends, grows closer to his dad, and learns why his heritage as an Ottawa Indian is so important to him. Full of fun and surprises, Mystery on Mackinac Island is about adventure, loyalty, and the discoveries of growing up.
183 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1989
6 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 1, 2022
This book made me want to take a trip to Mackinac Island. It's really cool to read about people living on an island that is a bicyclist's utopia. I was impressed to read about how the island operates in this car-free world from trash collection to taxi services for tourists.
Before reading the book, I was really curious how the book would have a bicycle theft mystery on a small island without cars, where people enter by ferry. My curiosity was tied to something from another book I read earlier this year: The Day the World Came to Town, which is about a huge influx of people coming to Gander, Newfoundland on 9/11/2001.
Mackinac is an island in Michigan and people from Michigan can be called Michiganders. In the Gander Newfoundland book, the townspeople of Gander were so hospitable and they didn't use locks. Someone asked about theft, to which the Newfie responded: it's an island, where would someone take it? Also, both books correct the pronunciation I supposed before reading: Mackinaw and Noofendlind.
In any case, Mystery on Mackinac Island was a fun read. I enjoyed the story and I liked the bits about Ottawa Indian culture.
Also, the book had a few typographical and punctuation imperfections that were not caught.
Content considerations: contains smoking, drunkenness, fighting.
Before reading the book, I was really curious how the book would have a bicycle theft mystery on a small island without cars, where people enter by ferry. My curiosity was tied to something from another book I read earlier this year: The Day the World Came to Town, which is about a huge influx of people coming to Gander, Newfoundland on 9/11/2001.
Mackinac is an island in Michigan and people from Michigan can be called Michiganders. In the Gander Newfoundland book, the townspeople of Gander were so hospitable and they didn't use locks. Someone asked about theft, to which the Newfie responded: it's an island, where would someone take it? Also, both books correct the pronunciation I supposed before reading: Mackinaw and Noofendlind.
In any case, Mystery on Mackinac Island was a fun read. I enjoyed the story and I liked the bits about Ottawa Indian culture.
Also, the book had a few typographical and punctuation imperfections that were not caught.
Content considerations: contains smoking, drunkenness, fighting.
March 2, 2025
Pre-read for my 3rd grader. Looking for stories set on Mackinaw Island to build excitement for an upcoming trip.
The main characters are 3 boys and a girl (ages 11-13).
This is was written for children ages 8-11. It is great for my 8-year old! I was transported into the story (especially at the end!) and enjoyed it as an adult -- the mark of a quality children's book! It was a pleasant read and worth re-reading.
Published in 1989 (based on the author's time on the island from 1960-1965), this book had distinctly old-fashioned values and worldviews. The main character is Native American but race is not made into an issue like it would be today. Hard truths about life (ie one father drank too much and didn't support his family adequately) were squarely faced and characters use fortitude and resourcefulness to overcome obstacles in the story. There are no victim mentalities. The story ends with a strong moral message to be honest and do the right thing. A great message for children to receive. Love old fashioned values!
The main characters are 3 boys and a girl (ages 11-13).
This is was written for children ages 8-11. It is great for my 8-year old! I was transported into the story (especially at the end!) and enjoyed it as an adult -- the mark of a quality children's book! It was a pleasant read and worth re-reading.
Published in 1989 (based on the author's time on the island from 1960-1965), this book had distinctly old-fashioned values and worldviews. The main character is Native American but race is not made into an issue like it would be today. Hard truths about life (ie one father drank too much and didn't support his family adequately) were squarely faced and characters use fortitude and resourcefulness to overcome obstacles in the story. There are no victim mentalities. The story ends with a strong moral message to be honest and do the right thing. A great message for children to receive. Love old fashioned values!
March 27, 2023
3.5* rounded up. Overall I liked it. It was a bit frustrating to constantly be turning back to the map at the beginning because it kept mentioning things so specifically it felt like I should know where that was. I suspected correctly from the beginning but still had some assumptions wrong so it was nice to find out all the parts to the mystery. I liked how Hunter became friends with Rusty and Jancy and the story seemed like a fun summer adventure for some young teenagers. It had a mystery without being scary, or even very suspenseful, just puzzling which I liked.
*Theft, lying, living alone as a teenager, discord with stepmom and stepsiblings. Adults: intimidation of minors, drinking, smoking, mention of gambling.
*Theft, lying, living alone as a teenager, discord with stepmom and stepsiblings. Adults: intimidation of minors, drinking, smoking, mention of gambling.
April 30, 2018
I got this on Mackinac Island when I was much younger and thought I'd give it a reread. It was a fun way to spend a couple of hours: the solution to the mystery is obvious, but the setting is unique, and Hunter is a very sympathetic protagonist.
It does bother me that Goodreads lists the illustrator as the author of this book. Poor Anna Hale can't get her work acknowledged.
It does bother me that Goodreads lists the illustrator as the author of this book. Poor Anna Hale can't get her work acknowledged.
July 7, 2024
This was a good story! Pretty wholesome. Hunter is a native American teenager living on Mackinaw, and with the help of two island visitors, he solves the mystery of who is stealing all of the rental bikes on the island. Turns out it was the trash collector guy! The suspense was really good, and overall a refreshing read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2022
Good basic mystery for the YA set. Started reading it because I'm new to Michigan and wanted to read fiction set here. I liked that for a book from 1989 it had a native American lead. I think it captured the spirit of Mackinac Island and was true to the uniqueness of the island.
January 12, 2018
I liked it because It ha d action.
November 26, 2018
Genre: Mystery, Fiction
Grades:3-5
Unique Feature: The book takes place in Michigan and is accurate in the setting description.
Grades:3-5
Unique Feature: The book takes place in Michigan and is accurate in the setting description.
March 6, 2019
it was a good book although the ending needs to be continued or explained
September 23, 2019
In my copy of the book, which has a different cover, but the same ISBN as listed for this edition the author is Anna W. Hale and the illustrations were done by Lois McLane.
May 10, 2023
Age: 8+
Content Considerations: references Indian beliefs in Great Spirit, alcoholic father in brief scene
Content Considerations: references Indian beliefs in Great Spirit, alcoholic father in brief scene
October 9, 2024
I had to DNF. I hate the pov and could not stand continuing. Would definitely read in a different pov if one came out because it seems like a great story.
October 15, 2024
I picked this up because we have been on the island. Not a book I would read again. Some bad attitudes, mistakes in the printing. Okay mystery.
February 6, 2018
I love this book so much because it kinda had a mystery for you to solve and there was a lot of details my favorite character was hunter and also my favorite part was when he solved the mystery. Hunter if my favorite character because he kept looking for people to see if it was their bike but no one calmed it so he started to get mad and he said he gave up for the day but the next day he was right back too trying to solve the mystery.
November 12, 2015
Mystery on MacKinac Island states the setting-MacKinac Island. This story is about young Hunter Martineau, an Ottawa Indian, who chooses one summer to live alone in his grandfather's cabin. Then he is drawn into the mystery of stolen rental bycycles and along with his new tourist friends Rusty and Jancy. This book is about mystery and finding your true friends. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Read
February 8, 2010reading level 5.6
June 29, 2011
Reading along with Dov this summer.
January 3, 2021
Great mystery book for a jr. high kid who loves Mackinaw Island!
June 14, 2011
This is a great book for mystery readers.
November 22, 2016
I love to read this book to reinforce our study of Michigan in third grade.
January 30, 2019
Genre: Mystery, Fiction
Grade: 3-5
Unique Feature: I love that the story takes place on a popular tourist attraction! I have been to the island many times and could picture most of the scenes the author describes!
Pros: This story touched on important topics such as Vietnam War-induced PTSD, alcoholism, gambling, threats, injury and possible job loss, Native history and traditions, and parents taking their anger out on their children. Almost all of these topics were addressed appropriately. While some of the issues such as Hunter's dad's alcohol problem was not resolved, I think that is a good thing because something like that is not easily resolved. However, no one seemed to be trying to change the behavior which, at one point, led to aggression toward Hunter.
Cons: This book was written in 1989 so things have changed since then such as the ability of kids to live on their own and fend for themselves at the age of 14. This should be addressed by an adult. Another problem is that everyone seems worried about Jancy getting home safely, but never Hunter living on his own or Rusty roaming the island without Hunter.
Grade: 3-5
Unique Feature: I love that the story takes place on a popular tourist attraction! I have been to the island many times and could picture most of the scenes the author describes!
Pros: This story touched on important topics such as Vietnam War-induced PTSD, alcoholism, gambling, threats, injury and possible job loss, Native history and traditions, and parents taking their anger out on their children. Almost all of these topics were addressed appropriately. While some of the issues such as Hunter's dad's alcohol problem was not resolved, I think that is a good thing because something like that is not easily resolved. However, no one seemed to be trying to change the behavior which, at one point, led to aggression toward Hunter.
Cons: This book was written in 1989 so things have changed since then such as the ability of kids to live on their own and fend for themselves at the age of 14. This should be addressed by an adult. Another problem is that everyone seems worried about Jancy getting home safely, but never Hunter living on his own or Rusty roaming the island without Hunter.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews