Treasure Bird - Softcover

Grade 4-6-- The hunt for buried gold becomes the focal point of this mystery that simultaneously deals with loyalty, trust, love, and family. Jessy moves from Wichita to San Antonio when her stepmother inherits an old farmhouse. Everyone is happy with the move, but worried that they will not be able to pay the taxes. Jessy and her stepbrother learn about family gold that was buried after a robbery and are determined to find the money. Instrumental in the scheme is a parrot and some old embroidered samplers, also part of the inheritance. Eventually the children discover the money. A lively prose style and likable, realistic characters take readers on the treasure hunt as carefully worked out clues sustain the mystery and wonder throughout. Griffin has created an amiable and sympathetic character in Jessy, who has a severe stutter and is adjusting to her stepfamily. She is surrounded by understanding, but not indulgent, adults. The explanation of why the gold had to be hidden creates an intriguing twist. Youngsters will enjoy this tale, reminiscent of earlier books that also use riddles and cryptic clues such as Elizabeth Enright's Spiderweb for Two (Dell, 1987) and Virginia Masterman-Smith's The Treasure Trap (Four Winds, 1979; o.p.). --Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Jessy has more than her share of troubles: her stutter makes her self-conscious and she hates her mother for running off to join a cult. On the positive side, Jessy's new stepmother is nice and the family has just inherited a house in Texas. But financial worries come to the fore this summer: taxes are due on the house and neither parent has yet found a job. So Jessy, with help from her stepbrother, Matt, and a parrot named Goldie, works on the mystery of the missing old coins often mentioned by Great-Uncle Matthew. This quiet family story touches upon a handful of "problems" without settling on a central issue--a diversity that agreeably sets this novel apart from straightforward genre fiction. Griffin ( Otto from Otherwhere ) writes in an engagingly forthright style; and while Jessy may not shine quite as brightly as some other YA fiction stars, readers will enjoy her low-key success. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.