It's the summer of 1935, and in the sleepy Florida Keys,
thirteen-year-old Jake Pitney's life is quiet and easy. But all of this
changes once Jake begins helping out the town's eccentric fisherman,
Sharkey, with work.
On a trip to Key West, Jake is dumbfounded when Sharkey buys a mule
named Jewel and her faithful sidekick, a dog named Rudy. Despite their
troublemaking ways, Jake grows fond of the mischievous duo and their
owner. All the while, Jake is trying to befriend Mara, the new girl in
town, whose life has been filled with sadness.
During the Labor Day holiday, an unpredictable Atlantic hurricane hits
Jake's hometown with devastating speed and power, reducing the island to
shambles. Jake is determined to find his family, along with Sharkey and
Mara. But he may need help from some unlikely sources.
From the bestselling author of Star in the Storm and Thunder from the
Sea comes a gripping story of strength and determination in the face of
uncontrollable circumstances. Based on actual events, Joan Hiatt
Harlow's tale explores friendship, loyalty, and ultimately, hope.