Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girl investigates mysterious death in page-turner.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
When BLOOD IN THE WATER begins, 12-year-old Kaylani, a Black girl living in Brooklyn, is preparing to spend the summer in Martha's Vineyard with wealthy family friends, the Watsons and their granddaughters. The Watsons are hosting Kaylani after her beloved father is sent to prison for embezzlement. Kaylani's mother wants to give her a break from worrying about her father's case, but Kaylani secretly plans to work on her own investigation to help prove her father's innocence. Instead, a teen is found dead, and all signs point to murder. Kaylani's investigative skills are being pulled toward the murder ... but is her dad's case somehow connected?
Is It Any Good?
This is a fast-moving, compelling ride from page one. In Blood in the Water, main character Kaylani is relatable and witty. She pursues the truth with a keen eye and loads of courage and determination. Tiffany D. Jackson brings to gorgeous life the Oak Bluffs area of Martha's Vineyard, the heart of the tight-knit Black community on the island. Her villains are also convincing, and the shifting relationships between characters ring true. The horror in this book is more atmospheric and suspense than gore, which makes it just right for middle grade readers interested in the genre.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of curiosity in Blood in the Water. Have you ever learned something important by accident, just by following your curiosity?
How does the main character's integrity help keep her safe in Blood in the Water? Can you think of some reasons why it's better to tell the truth even if you might get in trouble?
The main character in Blood in the Water perseveres even though she encounters many obstacles and frustrations. Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt like giving up but kept going? How did you feel when you finally achieved your goal?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Integrity , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : July 1, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
- Number of pages : 255
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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