by Scott O’Dell
First published 1967
Sixteen-year-old Ramon lives a simple life diving for pearls off the Mexican coast. But when he discovers an astonishingly large black pearl, his world is turned upside down. Locals believe the pearl is cursed, the treasure of a terrifying sea monster. Caught between his dreams of wealth and the village's superstitions, Ramon must decide whether to risk it all and keep the pearl. As he fights off dangerous rivals, he learns the true value of his find lies not in riches, but in his own courage and the friendship he forges with a mysterious old diver. A gripping tale of high-stakes adventure on the open ocean.
Genres: fiction, historical-fiction, adventure, mystery
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: found-family, high-stakes
Setting: Baja California (Mexico), Baja California (Mexico : Peninsula), Baja California (Peninsula), Baja California (México), Mexico
96 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Laurel Leaf