Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade

Artemis would rather spend time in the salt marsh with the birds and plant life than with people, who tend to bully her about her stutter. Many people dump trash and grass clippings into the salt marsh, and it is doing a lot of damage. Artemis keeps a nature journal and does everything she can to save the marsh, but she gets a lot of pushback from Mr. Hellander who owns the hotel, and even from her own mother, who is dating Mr. Hellander. And Artemis isn’t nice or understanding to her best friend, Warren, who needs and deserves her friendship. When Warren is badly injured, it helps Artemis realize what a good friend he is. She speaks up for him and for herself.

Kimberly Behre Kenna has written a very effective story with the importance of good conservation at its core. Artemis is an interesting character with a good heart who doesn’t always make great decisions and isn’t always likable, but her story is persuasive and should move young readers. The writing is excellent and the story compelling, but it wraps up a little too quickly and neatly to be entirely believable.