The Secret of Sanctuary Island

Todd Benson, 13, is having a difficult time adjusting to his father's remarriage. Life with Jan, his stepmother, requires the constant reporting of his whereabouts, which curtails the independence he'd achieved since his parents' divorce. Fishing and canoeing with best friend Kevin are relaxing diversions, but during one such outing the boys spot an apparent burglary in progress. Todd is frustrated by the disbelieving police officers he encounters, and by the doubts conveyed by Jan and his father. Some clever sleuthing by the two friends, however, not only redeems them, but prevents a murder as well. Monson's debut novel offers an intriguing premise, but her plot drags midway. (There's also an expletive that seems unnecessary for this age group.) Yet by the story's almost anticlimactic ending, Todd views his stepmother more as a helpful friend than a resented intruder, a welcome respite from the frequently stereotypic portrayal of beleaguered stepmothers. Ages 10-up. (May)