THE LOST TREASURE OF TUCKERNUCK

By: Emily Fairlie

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

My latest summer read was this wonderful children's book that is on the 2013-2014 Texas Bluebonnet List.

Here is my review:

The founder of Tuckernuck Middle School was Maria Tutweiler who left a puzzle for the students to solve. The prize is "a treasure beyond bounds." This was 80 years ago and no one has been able to solve the puzzle much less find the first clue. (Everyone thought she was crazy and they still think that.) 

Laurie is forced to attend Tuckernuck because both her parents had attended. The school is ancient and everyone knows that the school will probably close soon. Laurie is trying to convince her parents to let her attend Hamilton Junior High with her friend Kimmy.

Laurie is forced to gerbil duties with the very unpopular Bud Wallace. Bud did a science project that was presented to the school board members. - A project to show the effects of sugar in school lunches. - All sugar has been banned from cafeteria lunches. We find out that this was not Bud's original goal, but none the less all students dislike him due to this sugar ban. 

During gerbil duties, a gerbil escapes and the two are forced to catch this critter. During this event, Laurie and Bud accidentally knock a picture of a chicken off the wall. Hidden in the corner of the frame is a secret message and the letter D. These two are the only ones to find a clue to the puzzle that could save the school. Clues include music, Shakespeare, and a cat. Can you solve the puzzle with Laurie and Bud without getting caught and before the school is demolished? 

Students in upper second grade, third, fourth, and fifth would enjoy this book. I highly recommend it, especially if you like mysteries.