Punch with Judy

Punch with Judy by Avi

A boy is orphaned and ends up with a traveling troop. This includes a girl, Judy. They find themselves in trouble with the law. They try to reach the New York state line, but don't quite make it before the law catches up with them. However, by the time they are reached must of the crimes are irrelevant. (Judy got married and now has a different last name.) Only Punch, being an underage orphan is in trouble with the law. However, they hatch an agreement that he will be free if they make the authority laugh. They put on a show that will use a "slapstick" as part of the comedy. The stick will make a loud sound by not hurt. However, in the middle of the show, the "block" that makes it work comes out, and Judy ends up slapping Punch for real. All is good because the cops have cracked up and they are now free. They were a "real life" Punch and Judy show. The historical setting made it a bit hard to get into.

A Place Called Ugly

A Place Called Ugly by Avi

A boy comes to a coastal vacation spot with his family every year. One year, they learn that their vacation home is set to be demolished to make way for a hotel. He does not take that well and wants to preserve it. He hangs out there and tries to convince the owner not to destroy it. He discovers the town doesn't like this idea when he gets beat up by some boys. He lives in the house in very spartan surroundings and seems to start a relationship with a local girl. As a final act of defiance, he paints the house with some unique paint scheme. Then right before it is to be bulldozed, he blows up the house (by filling it with natural gas and lighting it on fire.) The book is a short tale of teenage defiance and singular attachment to things. It seems to get lost on the way to its conclusion. Luckily, it doesn't take too long to get there.

Windcatcher

Windcatcher by Avi

A boy is off in Long Island Sound. There are rumours of a shipwreck with possible treasure. He is sailing around with relatives. He also runs into some other treasure hunters. He loses his boat and decides he will swim from island to island to make it back. However, he also loses his compass and map. He starts swimming and makes it almost to the first island when he loses his shoe. In diving into the water to find it, he also sees something which he initially thought were animal bones, but may be what he was hunting for. He makes his way to the island, but does not know where he is. He does find the boat, and decides to sail away in the dark. He has no idea where he is, but does find his way to the treasure hunters. It ends shortly after. It feels like an interesting half-story.