Margaret Bauernfeind

Danny Malloy and His Mississippi River Samurai Margaret Bauernfeind

In the tale of Danny Malloy and His Mississippi River Samurai, Danny discovers there's lots to learn on the river. He adopts an owl that doesn't hoot, earns money harvesting morel mushrooms, buys river pearls and silver-toed boots, learns to fish using Willowcats for bait, discovers frog sex and goes clamming with an old river man who tells tales of flooded towns and donnybrooks. Danny learns to problem-solve with a foster dad, and to accept the loving ways of a foster mom. Ultimately, he stows away on a river boat, and meets the beautiful Elizabeth. In St. Paul they swing-dance to the music of a jazz band in the ghost and gangster-haunted caves along the river. Danny Malloy is a story about the internal conflict of a teenager. Should he follow his survival instinct and run away or lower his defenses, trust his foster parents and stick around long enough to let them care for him? Danny realizes it is up to him to decide what sort of person he wants to be. Danny Malloy and His Mississippi River Samurai is a fun read about life on the Mississippi River and about the power of caring people.