Daredevil Club

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Harvard,
Massachusetts.

Kip came up with the idea for the Daredevil Club and made the list of
seven stunts that they would complete. After shattering his leg on stunt
number four, he is still intent on completing the list with his friends.
His desire to stay in the club motivates him to work as hard as he can
in his physical therapy program. The group completes another two
dangerous stunts, then begins to plan for the most dangerous stunt of
all—crossing over the lake on the girders underneath the bridge. Their
rival “Wildman” had made one attempt and failed, and Kip realizes
that he won’t have the strength to make it safely across. Now his
concern is to prevent any of the others from getting hurt in the
attempt. In the end, Kip uses his leadership skills to help organize a
carnival to raise funds for the physical therapy program.

This is a riveting story that will appeal to reluctant middle-school
male readers. Pam Withers does an excellent job of describing the stunts
in such detail that the reader feels the excitement and danger every
step of the way. The mood is tense and frightening and there is added
suspense in wondering how Kip will manage with his injury. The actions
of the characters are presented in a non-judgmental way, and even though
Kip decides not to attempt the final stunt, his actions prove his
bravery beyond a doubt. Highly recommended.