In 1941, when thirteen-year-old Ricky Parker’s family is uprooted from their home in Arkansas and relocated to Venezuela, Ricky thinks his life is over. But what he finds in a rough and tumble oil camp on the banks of Lake Maracaibo is the adventure of a lifetime. An adventure filled with Nazi spies, treachery, betrayal, true love, and even murder. While touching on issues that remain relevant today, such as racism and America’s reliance on foreign oil, this coming-of-age novel is a page turning, high-octane suspense tale of star-crossed young lovers set in exotic wartime Venezuela.
Till the Rivers All Run Dry
In 1941, when thirteen-year-old Ricky Parker’s family is uprooted from their home in Arkansas and relocated to Venezuela, Ricky thinks his life is over. But what he finds in a rough and tumble oil camp on the banks of Lake Maracaibo is the adventure of a lifetime. An adventure filled with Nazi spies, treachery, betrayal, true love, and even murder. While touching on issues that remain relevant today, such as racism and America’s reliance on foreign oil, this coming-of-age novel is a page turning, high-octane suspense tale of star-crossed young lovers set in exotic wartime Venezuela.
Judy M. Bullwinkle –
I really enjoyed this exciting book set in the oil drilling area of Lake Maricaibo, Venezuela. The characters were believable and the insight into the thirteen-year-old protagonist was on target. The exciting action throughout the novel kept my interest and moved me. The author emphasized many of the issues of oil drilling in Venezuela, as well as the racist views toward the native people. I liked the sections regarding the Germans still in the area after the war began in Europe. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
E.E. White –
Till the Rivers All Run Dry is a first-rate thriller that will capture the imagination of any young person and adults as well. While the book keeps you on the edge of your chair, it does so much more than provide excitement. It challenges the reader to face up to the evils of racism and blind hatred of those that are not like ourselves. We see the hero of the novel grow up under compelling circumstances, and in the process we as readers gain a greater maturity. I highly recommend this book, especially to young readers, and I only hope teachers in our schools will recommend it to their students. Not only a great read but a supremely worthwhile read!
Amazon Customer –
Excellent historical fiction set in the 40s, pre-America involvement in WW2. I was sucked into this story and enjoyed it.
Amazon Customer –
I liked this book. The author has a readable style and the story is unpredictable. Ricky Parker tells his own story of how his family came to live in an oil camp in Venezuela and how he met and fell in love with a German girl. The last part of the book is full of action. I was hooked on page one and I found myself rooting for Ricky right up to the end. I think adults would like this book as well as young people.
Amazon Customer –
This is a first rate Young Adult Novel but as an older adult I found the storyline captivating! Good character development, believable behaviors from the adults adjusting to life on Lake Maracaibo, all in support of a very touching and intriguing coming of age story set at the onset of World War II. What a gem of historical fiction for young people today who are two generations removed from the events in this story. I heartily recommend this book for young adults as well as the adults in their lives, what fodder for some very good discussions.
Mary Graves –
I love the way Jim Lester writes. It is supposedly for teenage boys, but for someone the authors age, it just helps it flow. The history of pre-world war 2/post world war 2 is brought to life in Jim’s books. A fast read, interesting read as well as emotional. It made me laugh and cry. He ties everything in at the end.
Aldis –
Rick’s story is right at the edge of WW2, in one of the more obscure chapers of the US’s prelude to war. I could barely put it down. Lester builds the story slowly and with great details like mentioning Doc Savage’s adventures and the comics Ricky reads. He deals with the racism of the time in his move from the US to Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo. Ricky is angry about moving, and angrier to discover that the camp they will live in is nothing like what his father told him. In Venezuela, Ricky is unpopular and lonely until an odd encounter gives him a friend. Things seem good, until the rising tensions with the Germans in camp and the news and wondering about the US possible involvement in the war build up to the dead body that Ricky finds. Ricky finds himself in a difficult spot regarding some of the things he finds out as he investigates. I recommend this to anyone who likes a good adventure, and WW2 stories.
Lynne Moody –
Enjoyed the storyline that keep me interested to what was coming next. The characters made me stop and think about about the era of time we need not forget. I was given this book for a honest review.
Bonnye Reed Fry –
On September 10, 2016 I received a free electronic copy of this middle grade Mystery/Adventure novel from Netgalley and Jim Lester along with Mariposa Book Transformation Services in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, for sharing your work with me.
Brenda –
Dr Lester nails the minds of young adults with humor and sensitivity. I bought it for my granddaughter and as always with her books I read it before sending on to her. I only hope she loves it as much as I did. I then passed my own copy on to a friend who called saying she so enjoyed it because she grew up with a friend who spend younger years in the oil camps of Venezuela. If you haven’t already, give this writer a try. Refreshing and enlightening to know what wonderful stories are available for our young readers.
Reba –
ST –
Great book. A real page-turner. Lester does a great job motivating the reader to go from one chapter to the next by introducing new, suspenseful information. His writing educates the reader on history through compelling storytelling. Realy interesting plot. I think people of all ages will like it. The author also uses humor well. Get the book. You’ll enjoy!