Mystery at Meander Lake

Lynn Manuel, the author of Return to Cranberry Farm, writes mystery
novels for young adults.

When this novel begins, 13-year-old Rob Towne has already learned to
accept his confinement to a wheelchair following the accident that left
his legs paralyzed. Although bitterness sometimes surfaces when he
remembers a time when he could run with his best friends, Jamie Forley
and Johnny Smallbear, Rob has embraced the challenge of coping with his
paralysis. With his friends, Rob manages to piece together a series of
clues and solve a mystery at the summer resort of Meander Lake.

While the formula is familiar—young people investigating shady
activities on their own, and finally succeeding in bringing about the
capture of criminals—the story is greatly enhanced by its realistic
glimpse into the world of the physically challenged. Rob’s
independence is achieved through an elevator in his home, a motorized
wheelchair, and rings on heavy chains fastened to the ceiling, which
enable him to swing out of bed and into his wheelchair. This attention
to detail, coupled with a fast-paced plot, make this novel a fascinating
read for students in grades 5 to 8.