This is an absolute gem. The characters are great and very believable as children. They all have an annoying moment but grow from that and end up really likeable.

The story is really interesting (I love the boat house full of oddities and curiosities. My ideal house of course) and fun to read. The ending isn't too big for the first book in a series but also big enough for the book to be a standalone.

I wish there was more resolution with the adults (love that the kids begin with relationships that mirror their parent's views of each other but grow to move past petty townspeople squabbling).