Tunnels of Terror is about five kids who decide to go exploring in Pompey's Cave. They want to explore the cave and underground lake, plus look for the treasure that a local legend says a bootlegger hid in the cave. The entrance to the cave is just a hole in the ground, so one of the older boys, Roy, made a wooden ladder so the group can climb the 20 feet down into the cave. The kids know that when it rains the cave fills with water, but rain isn't in the forecast. They all grab their backpacks filled with supplies...flashlights, a rope, food, and an inflatable raft....and climb into the cave. They soon learn they are not as experienced at exploring at they thought, and that they've made some dangerous errors. The group finds themselves trapped in the cave.....and the water is rising. Can they work together to escape Pompey's Cave?

This story is actually based on a real cave in New York state. I don't think that I would climb down into a cave on a wooden ladder -- the kids in the story are much braver than I am! I liked the fact that the kids all worked together to solve their problem, and they all learned some big lessons about safety while caving. Things like always tell someone exactly where you are going, always bring extra clothing, and several sets of extra batteries for flashlights, etc.

This is an enjoyable middle-grade adventure story. At 157 pages, it's a nice length for ages 8-12, or a relaxing, quick read for an adult. Illustrations by Frank Aloise are a nice addition to the story.

Patricia Edwards Clyne is the author of several middle-grade books about history and folk lore, including Hudson Valley Tales and Trails and Hudson Valley Faces and Places.
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