{"id":94241,"date":"2025-06-25T10:42:28","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T14:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/?p=94241"},"modified":"2025-06-26T04:52:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T08:52:19","slug":"blood-in-the-water-tiffany-d-jackson-book-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/blood-in-the-water-tiffany-d-jackson-book-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Review | Blood in the Water"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book1 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"1000\" data-attachment-id=\"94215\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/kids-summer-reading-list-ages-8-14\/blood-in-the-water\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?fit=662%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"662,1000\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"blood in the water\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?fit=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?fit=662%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?resize=662%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?w=662&amp;ssl=1 662w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?resize=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1 199w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?resize=600%2C906&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 50vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Blood in the Water<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By Tiffany D. Jackson<\/div><\/div><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item meta-group\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-age\">  <span class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-label\"> Age  <\/span><span itemprop=\"setting\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">10+<\/span><\/div>\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Review\" itemprop=\"review\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-rating\"><span itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\"><meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Afoma Umesi\"\/><\/span><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Rating\" itemprop=\"reviewRating\" class=\"ad-book-block__rating ad-book-block__review-rating\"><meta itemprop=\"ratingValue\" content=\"5\"\/><div class=\"ad-book-block__rating-buttons align-center\"> <span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span><span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span><span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span><span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span><span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p>An absolute homerun of a story for kids who love murder mysteries.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata2 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-genre\">  <div itemprop=\"genre\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\"><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/tag\/middle-grade-mystery-books\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mystery<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-pages\"> <span itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">272<\/span><span class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-label\">  pages <\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-carrow\">Summary: <em>Blood in the Water<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Blood in the Water | Official Scholastic Trailer\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/T8PMYs_amq4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kaylani is spending the summer on Martha&#8217;s Vineyard with the Watson family, her family friends, after her dad is imprisoned for fraud. She&#8217;s understandably sad to be without her father, but her parents want her to have some fun and be a kid despite the ups and downs in their lives. But when Kaylani arrives, the Watson grandkids, Cassie, and especially Kaylani&#8217;s agemate London, are snooty and unwelcoming. Things get worse when a teen boy is murdered just two nights later. All eyes are on Cassie because of her history with Chadwick. Kaylani and her band of new friends are determined to uncover the sinister mystery behind Chadwick&#8217;s death, but someone doesn&#8217;t want them digging. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-withstars has-colortwo-background-color has-background\">The Good<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I LOVED this book and couldn&#8217;t stop reading it once I started. It&#8217;s <strong>gripping from the very first chapter<\/strong>. Readers will feel the tension in the air as soon as Kaylani arrives on Martha&#8217;s Vineyard, and it only gets tighter and tighter until the story&#8217;s climax. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kaylani is an easy <strong>character to root for<\/strong>. She&#8217;s smart, a total Daddy&#8217;s girl who&#8217;s struggling with his absence in her life, and many characters will appreciate their bond. I loved that Jackson keeps adults out of most of the story without resorting to contrived storylines, allowing the mystery to unfold in a natural and believable way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, this is a mystery, so there&#8217;s only so much I can say without spoiling it, but I loved the interplay of sibling dynamics, unlikely friendships, <strong>father-daughter love<\/strong>, and <strong>Black history on Martha&#8217;s Vineyard<\/strong>, all wrapped up in under 300 fast-paced pages. I would totally return to Martha&#8217;s Vineyard with Kaylani and her crew. I can see middle schoolers and young high schoolers just flying through this one, especially with that terrific book trailer to build anticipation!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color:#f9f2f8;padding-left:2%;padding-right:2%;padding-bottom:1%;padding-top:1%\" class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-container is-style-rating gb-block-container\"><div class=\"gb-container-inside\"><div class=\"gb-container-content\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"78889\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/home-2\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?fit=1200%2C1799&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1799\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"afoma umesi reading middle grade headshot 2024\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?fit=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"afoma umesi stands in notting hill reading saffiyah's war by hibar noor\" class=\"wp-image-78889\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?resize=768%2C1151&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?resize=1366%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1366w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?resize=600%2C900&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/afoma-umesi-reading-middle-grade-headshot-2024.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 50vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"has-underline-color has-button-underline\">OVERALL:<\/span> <em><em>Blood in the Water<\/em><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Blood in the Water <\/em>is a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller &#8212; an absolute homerun for middle schoolers yearning for a murder mystery. Tiffany D. Jackson redefines the middle-grade thriller genre by writing a book for tweens with a high-stakes mystery, in which the protagonist&#8217;s life is actually in danger. I couldn&#8217;t believe how incredibly well-written, short, suspenseful, and middle-grade appropriate this book is (dare I say, young YA appropriate too). Fantastic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Star Rating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Review\" itemprop=\"review\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-rating\"><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Rating\" itemprop=\"reviewRating\" class=\"ad-book-block__rating ad-book-block__review-rating\"><meta itemprop=\"ratingValue\" content=\"5\"\/><div class=\"ad-book-block__rating-buttons align-center\"> <span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span><span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span><span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span><span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span><span class=\"ad-book-block__rating-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><span><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"#eba845\" stroke=\"#eba845\" d=\"M12,17.3l6.2,3.7l-1.6-7L22,9.2l-7.2-0.6L12,2L9.2,8.6L2,9.2L7.5,14l-1.6,7L12,17.3z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-bg-background-color has-background\">Content Notes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some specifics to know about the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-warning\">Content Warnings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Death: <\/strong>A teenage boy&#8217;s body is found washed up.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Alcohol\/substance abuse: <\/strong>None.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sexual content:<\/strong> None.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Violence:<\/strong> None.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Language: <\/strong>None.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diversity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ethnic:<\/strong> The main characters are Black.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sexual orientation:<\/strong> None.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-recommends\"><strong>Recommended for ages:<\/strong> 10+<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-correct\"><strong>Good for tweens and teens who like:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Murder <a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/middle-grade-mysteries\/\">mysteries<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thrillers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/middle-grade-books-set-in-summer\/\">Stories set during the summer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/middle-grade-books-about-dads\/\">Books about father-daughter relationships<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/from-the-desk-of-zoe-washington-review\/\">From the Desk of Zoe Washington<\/a><\/em> by Janae Marks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-default\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Publisher Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Publisher details<\/strong><\/td><td>Scholastic<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Author<\/strong><\/td><td>Tiffany D. Jackson<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Illustrator<\/strong><\/td><td>N\/A<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Publication date<\/strong><\/td><td>July 1, 2025<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Audiobook?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>Yes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=25361&amp;awinaffid=1048805&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9781546176909\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Libro.Fm<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Page count:<\/strong><\/td><td>272<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Cover artists | Designer:<\/strong><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Buy This Book<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"1000\" data-attachment-id=\"94215\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/kids-summer-reading-list-ages-8-14\/blood-in-the-water\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?fit=662%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"662,1000\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"blood in the water\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?fit=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?fit=662%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?resize=662%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94215\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:339px;height:500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?w=662&amp;ssl=1 662w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?resize=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1 199w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blood-in-the-water.jpg?resize=600%2C906&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 50vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Gh0Q9N\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9781338849912\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Book Reviews<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/from-the-desk-of-zoe-washington-review\/\">From the Desk of Zoe Washington<\/a><\/em> by Janae Marks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/benny-on-the-case-book-review-wesley-king\/\">Benny on the Case<\/a><\/em> by Wesley King<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/a-study-in-secrets-last-chance-academy-1-book-review\/\">A Study in Secrets: Last Chance Academy<\/a><\/em> by Debbi Michiko Florence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary: Blood in the Water Kaylani is spending the summer on Martha&#8217;s Vineyard with the Watson family, her family friends, after her dad is imprisoned for fraud. She&#8217;s understandably sad to be without her father, but her parents want her to have some fun and be a kid despite the ups and downs in their<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/blood-in-the-water-tiffany-d-jackson-book-review\/\">Read More ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":94215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"book_review_cover_url":"","book_review_title":"","book_review_series":"","book_review_author":"","book_review_genre":"","book_review_isbn":"","book_review_setting":"","book_review_release_date":"","book_review_recommendation":"","book_review_pages":"","book_review_source":"","book_review_rating":"","book_review_summary":"","book_review_featuredin":"","book_review_kindle":"","book_review_reivew":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3328,3906973],"tags":[3907615,3907068,3907067],"class_list":{"0":"post-94241","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-book-reviews","8":"category-middle-grade","9":"tag-june-2025-book-reviews","10":"tag-middle-grade-mystery-books","11":"tag-mystery","12":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Blood in the Water, Tiffany D. 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