The simplicity of [The Hammerhead Light] reflects the uncomplicated emotional relationship between the old man and the young girl, and their common way of thinking and feeling is in tune with the natural, wholesome beauty of their surroundings. (p. 446)

Paul Heins, "Stories for Intermediate Readers: 'The Hammerhead Light'," in The Horn Book Magazine (copyright © 1977 by the Horn Book, Inc., Boston), Vol. LIII, No. 4, August, 1977, pp. 445-46.

Counterpointing all [the] standard Peck's-bad-boyishness [in The Shadow on the Hills] is Bodo's involvement with half-crazed hermit Ebenezer Blitz who delivers wild sermons in the neighboring hills, vowing to destroy Moses Mibus for dirty-dealing him out of his farm years back. Bodo finds himself squarely in the middle of an increasingly vicious feud which, through a complicated pileup of events, lands Mibus in jail, his empire literally in ashes, and Blitz in a nursing home. Thiele leaves a convincing ragged edge to...