Twenty Gold Falcons
Gr 5-8–Gordon revisits the quirky city of Gloria (the setting of two previous novels) for this lighthearted mystery. Readers who enjoy unique characters will be pleased. Aiden Farmer isn't fitting in at her new school. Having moved to Gloria with her mother after the death of her dad, she is teased for her rural upbringing. After hearing stories of 20 valuable coins hidden in the palatial Ingle Building, she begins to dig deeper, enlisting the help of her friend Adam and cousin Liesl. The race is on to find the lost Gold Falcons, but Aiden isn't the only one looking for riches. The mood is upbeat–this treasure hunt doesn't take itself too seriously. There are unexpected eccentric touches everywhere. From Felix, a man intent on getting his pet mouse to speak, to the millionaire owner of the Ingle Building, who wants to build a castle in the middle of the park to bring her estranged daughter back to Gloria, twists and turns abound. Gordon delights in bringing even minor characters to life. While the conclusion feels a bit drawn out, this amiable title will charm its fair share of readers.Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI© Copyright 2010.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.