"The old Blackwater run real fierce out there. Dad says it's mad because we tamed it."

"A plastic bag filled with light and air came cruising down the river like a fat, fake, billowy jellyfish."

"Pauline was the wishbone out of the Thanksgiving turkey."

"I swung around and saw the two dark heads, round as soccer balls bobbing close to the other bank."

"I plowed into the water, feeling it yank at my legs, greedy to pull me down."

"I lay there, gasping like a beached fish..."

"I felt the Blackwater reach for me, felt its hunger."

"I was a frog on his back."

"I felt that I'd jump to the moon and back!"