The Green Bottle and the Silver Kite

Bored and fed up with his younger sister's antics, Phil finds that his summer shows little evidence of fun--until a silver kite catches his fancy. Determined to own the costly item, Phil tries to raise the purchase price by sending out messages in a green bottle he discovers on the beach. Although the bottle yields treasure in the form of an unexpected friend (and, ultimately, a new appreciation of his meddlesome and unpredictable sibling), a more pedestrian measure--a tedious painting job--brings in the money. Somewhat slow-moving, the story is filled with realistic touches and details as Phil juggles the knowledge that his watery message has brought. His resolution allows for credibly drawn, thoughtful and introspective changes. Phil's growth from an impatient pie-in-the-sky type to a deserving recipient of his prize is precisely the kind of minor drama that good summers are made of. Ages 10-up. (May)