I’m so pleased to share the news that Shelley’s Tougas’s
second novel, FINDERS KEEPERS, has received a *starred review* from Booklist:
“The only time 10-year-old Christa feels she belongs is
when she is at her family’s cabin in Wisconsin. But to her dismay, this will be
their last summer on Whitefish Lake, because her father has lost his job and
they cannot afford to keep the cabin. Next door, a boy named Alex has just
moved in, and the two team up to do some sleuthing and treasure hunting. Rumor
has it that Al Capone once hid a suitcase of cash in the area, and if they can
find it Christa’s family might be able to hang on to their cabin. Tougas, known
best for her historic nonfiction (Little Rock Girl 1957, 2011), has crafted a
charming story of family history and personal connections (both lost and found)
that is reminiscent of Blue Balliett and the Penderwicks’ adventures.
Christa
is a delightful protagonist—spunky, witty, and self-confident, in spite of her
lack of social graces—and her companionship with Alex is well drawn. More
thoughtful than most mysteries, this novel addresses serious issues (financial
challenges and strained family relationships, in particular) without bogging
down the narrative, and its resolution is both rewarding and poignant. Christa
and Alex prove a winning duo, whose quest for Capone’s lost loot will keep
readers glued to the page.” –
Booklist
And here are glowing reviews from School Library Journal and Kirkus
Reviews:
“Readers will enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humor and
fast-paced story that revels in outdoor summertime fun. Family issues drive the
heart of the narrative, and Christa, described as immature by her family, must
face events as they unfold. Lovable and prone to a modest amount of mishaps,
Christa learns about the angst a struggling family must endure and the dynamics
of true friendship from young and old. VERDICT: Lighter than Gennifer
Choldenko’s Al Capone Does My Shirts (Putnam, 2004), this is an entertaining
middle grade mystery.” – School Library Journal
“The fast-paced ending has enough bite to satisfy. The premise will cause
inevitable comparisons to Gennifer Choldenko's Alcatraz tales, but the story
stands on its own. Entertaining and humorous.” – Kirkus Reviews
The book is available in bookstores and libraries on
September 1st, 2015.
To buy copies of FINDERS KEEPERS, click here:
Powells,
IndieBound,
Barnes + Noble,
Amazon.
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