by Allan Wolf (Author)
"Wolf's latest weaves a dazzling tale. . . .Considering the vividly depicted events, the strong cast, and the young protagonist's personal triumphs, there's wow-worthy content aplenty here." --Booklist (starred review)
Part mystery, part fantasy-adventure, part riveting real-life disaster, this deft tale-within-a-tale blends the history of the 1980 Lake Peigneur drilling accident with a fateful quest for pirate treasure.
When thirteen-year-old Junius Leak--expert on waterbodies and creator of the encyclopedic
Amazing Waterbodies of the World--steps foot on Uncle Spot's rickety dock on Lake Peigneur, the truth assails him: he may love waterbodies, but that doesn't mean they love him back. The latest in a long line of Junius Leaks, he's the first to be doomed to ten days of awkwardness and boredom on a houseboat with a relative he doesn't know while his parents "work on" their marriage. Delcambre, Louisiana, where Junius was born, is awash with unwelcome surprises. He determines to learn why his mom left town when he was a baby--and to conquer his fear of water at the same time. But the lake has other plans for him, plans tied to a hundred-year-old family feud and a swashbuckling mystery. When disaster strikes, Junius must dive deep within to emerge an unlikely hero. Alternating viewpoints spin the perceptions of a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)--and the wry voice of a lake with a long memory--into an inventive tale of sunken treasure and buried secrets anchored by a dramatic true event.
Author Biography
Allan Wolf is the author of many books for young people, including the novel The Watch that Ends the Night, which was named one of the 50 Best Young Adult Novels of All Time by Booklist; the novel Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom; the nonfiction graphic novel The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur, illustrated by Jose Pimienta; and the poetry collection The Gift of the Broken Teacup, illustrated by Jade Orlando. His books celebrate his love of research, history, science, and poetry. He is a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, a two-time winner of the North Carolina Young Adult Book Award, and a recipient of the Bank Street College Claudia Lewis Award. Allan Wolf lives in Roanoke, Virginia, with his wife, his sister, and a dog named Mo. Learn more at www.allanwolf.com.
Number of Pages: 528
Dimensions: 1.8 x 8.4 x 5.7 IN
Illustrated: Yes
Publication Date: July 01, 2025
Accelerated Reader:
Quiz Name: Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom
Interest Level: Upper Middle Grades, 6 and up
Reading Level: 5.5
Point Value: 16
