Cummings, Priscilla. Red Kayak

Cummings, Priscilla. Red Kayak. Dutton, 2004 [0-525-47317-3]
Three boys have been friends in Maryland their whole life and they are in 8th grade now. The grandfather of one of the boys gets sick and has to go a nursing home so his property is sold. All three boys are angry about this with the grandson being the most angry. Brady narrates at the three boys watch the new owner's red kayak go down the river with strong currents. They are sure it it the father... well it was the mother with her 5 year old son. They kayak sinks and Brady finds the boy, giving him CPR and is a hero until unfortunately the young boy dies of exposure in the hospital. The rush of feelings from hero to hearing of a death is well told. Throughout the summer Brady is reminded of the accident by the red kayak in the water. This 208 page book is the touching and emotional story of three friends, loyalty, and responsibility. I don't want to spoil the ending, but at the end of the book the grandson makes a statement to authorities which I am not sure an 8th grader with his background would say.. who knows. Besides that.. this is a wonderful and powerful book.