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The Hydrofoil Mystery
It is 1915 and 13-year old William is sent by his mother to spend the summer working with an eccentric inventor - Alexander Graham Bell - and his crew in a tiny Nova Scotia town. They are hard at work designing and building a hydrofoil boat that they hope will help the allies defend themselves from the German U-boats that are sinking ships and threatening coastal towns during the war. William's mom is hoping that the hard work and close community will keep William, who has developed a taste for gambling and tough ways, out of trouble. But the sleeping village life William thinks he has been sentenced to turns out to be something quite different as the young boy finds himself embroiled in a deadly mystery that is plaguing the hydrofoil and its builders. Packed with action and suspense, as well as fascinating glimpses of the past, The Hydrofoil Mystery is a wonderful adventure for any young reader. AUTHOR Eric Walters is an elementary school teacher in Mississauga who began writing as a way to encourage his students to become more enthusiastic about their creative writing. He is the author of five other children's books including Trapped In Ice , which was shortlisted for the Ruth Schwartz Award and the Silver Birch Award.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 1999
19 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
159 books912 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 17, 2018
As someone who lives anywhere other than the USA, I can say it's nice finding a book set in my home country. As a Canadian, I can say books set in my home country are often not good. I am so glad this one is an exception to that.
Eric Walters writing is very easy to read, and even though the plot was not the most exciting it was still enjoyable to read. In other words, this book is pretty much the definition of short and sweet. A unique piece of history was chosen for the plot, I have no idea how true to real life that history is but it was written in a way that I don't really want to know. I want to leave it the way it is. Besides the main character. I'd like to think he didn't exist in any way, shape or form because he's kind of a prick and we don't like those.
I really have nothing else to say about this one. An easy to read, Canadian piece.
Eric Walters writing is very easy to read, and even though the plot was not the most exciting it was still enjoyable to read. In other words, this book is pretty much the definition of short and sweet. A unique piece of history was chosen for the plot, I have no idea how true to real life that history is but it was written in a way that I don't really want to know. I want to leave it the way it is. Besides the main character. I'd like to think he didn't exist in any way, shape or form because he's kind of a prick and we don't like those.
I really have nothing else to say about this one. An easy to read, Canadian piece.
September 12, 2018
A fascinating YA mystery the basis of which comes from the actual invention and historic bites of interest from WWI, I found the book very well-defined in its time-frame and place, Halifax, Nova Scotia, with WWI German submarines attacking the east coast of North America, lack of money, lack of entertainment for teens; no wonder people were desperate for both money and entertainment. Thus we find our young hero, Billy McCracken, not so much a hero at this point, he is getting in with the "wrong" crowds and his mother is in a quandry. This boy has a lot of anger buried and possibly doesn't even realize it, but more than that he is gambling and smoking, neither a particularly a healthy life.
Through some interesting maneuvers he finds himself sent off to work for Alexander Graham Bell. He has no idea of how his life might change. This is where the book became very interesting to me. Aside from Bell being an inventor and teacher of so many things, he becomes a real friend to Billy, who he insists on calling William McCracken. Alexander Graham Bell invented the first hydrofoil boat in 1911, intended to resist enemy submarines reaching/attacking the east coast. This I found fascinating. I believe young teens will find this interesting and older teens will be drawn to the technical side, but also what happens when the war and early technology clash. Billy becomes very interested in this machine that is so amazing. When danger lurks, he and others working with Bell are ready and willing to save the ship from attack. I thought the book had a lot going for it and in it, excitement, courage, learning. The lives of people in the Maritimes, the inventions and the well-written inventor, the technology, Bell's "lessons" to help young people. Altogether it makes for good reading.
Through some interesting maneuvers he finds himself sent off to work for Alexander Graham Bell. He has no idea of how his life might change. This is where the book became very interesting to me. Aside from Bell being an inventor and teacher of so many things, he becomes a real friend to Billy, who he insists on calling William McCracken. Alexander Graham Bell invented the first hydrofoil boat in 1911, intended to resist enemy submarines reaching/attacking the east coast. This I found fascinating. I believe young teens will find this interesting and older teens will be drawn to the technical side, but also what happens when the war and early technology clash. Billy becomes very interested in this machine that is so amazing. When danger lurks, he and others working with Bell are ready and willing to save the ship from attack. I thought the book had a lot going for it and in it, excitement, courage, learning. The lives of people in the Maritimes, the inventions and the well-written inventor, the technology, Bell's "lessons" to help young people. Altogether it makes for good reading.
May 20, 2020
Fun book that teaches a little bit about Canadian history, mixed in with a decent mystery and a complex protagonist. Really nice character arc from start to finish.
Great book for young adults into adventure or history.
Great book for young adults into adventure or history.
January 24, 2018
...was just reading it for a friend...actually surprisingly well written and well researched— I like a good Alexander Bell story
August 21, 2018
This would be a great 'book report' book for school.
December 17, 2019
Short and easy to read. Another one I remember from when I was younger. Neat bit of historical fiction
December 18, 2023
Super educational historical fiction. Canadian to boot. Recommend for reading aloud to Grades 6-8 and for libraries.
April 10, 2009
It is 1915, and Canada is embroiled in the First World War. The East Coast is under threat from German U-boats that are sinking ships and endangering coastal towns. It all seems very far away from the life of fifteen-year-old William McCracken - a Halifax lad who has developed a taste for gambling and tough ways.
William thinks he has a summer of mischief ahead of him until he discovers that his mother has arranged for him to spend the season working with an inventor by the name of Alexander Graham Bell. In a Nova Scotia outport, Bell and his crew are at work on his latest invention - a hydrofoil boat that will help the Allies defend the coast from the German danger. But there's a deadly menace hovering over the project and, suddenly, William finds his "boring" summer job transformed into an action-packed race to solve a terrifying mystery.
William thinks he has a summer of mischief ahead of him until he discovers that his mother has arranged for him to spend the season working with an inventor by the name of Alexander Graham Bell. In a Nova Scotia outport, Bell and his crew are at work on his latest invention - a hydrofoil boat that will help the Allies defend the coast from the German danger. But there's a deadly menace hovering over the project and, suddenly, William finds his "boring" summer job transformed into an action-packed race to solve a terrifying mystery.
July 7, 2016
This is historical fiction at it's finest! One of my favourite books as a teen - it made me want to learn about history, Alexander Graham Bell, the east coast of Canada, and science. Isn't that the purpose of books - to ignite passion?? I adore Eric Walters writing style - suspenseful, thoughtful, and humourous when needed. I remember being totally enthralled in this story, 5 stars.
March 8, 2007
This book is a mystery but it pretend that it happened I mean that it was written with the real history invents. The mystery is happened during the WW2 and it explained the reality of sailors’ life on that time.
May 22, 2010
it was in my3 books ever
July 27, 2016
Great plot and idea not to much action though
April 12, 2017
long funny
Currently reading
May 27, 2019nice
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews