The Parker Inheritance, written by Varian Johnson. Scholastic, 2018. $22.99 ages 9 and up

"Well, I'm telling you now. Not that Reggie had any better chance than you. Dub's not about to let his daughter date some high-yellow poor kid from Vista Heights. Boy doesn't even know who his daddy is." He checked his watch. "I'll be home late. It might take a while to convince Reggie to come back." "Why can't you just call him?" Chip asked as they exited the stands. He didn't want his father talking to that boy. His ... rival."

WOW! I just finished reading this mysterious, thought-provoking book early this morning, and am anxious to pass it on to a friend so that he can read it, too. I know he will like it as much as I do. It is a story about family, pride, grief, longing, bullying, racism and abiding friendship. So, what's not to like about that? It would be an excellent read for all middle grade classrooms, providing opportunity for deep thought and engaging conversation.

Candice is sure that her summer is ruined when she and her mother move into her grandmother's house in Lambert, South Carolina. They will be there while their home in Atlanta is being renovated. She could have stayed with her father in his apartment. She could have been with her friends enjoying the many plans they had made for summer fun. Instead, she is in Lambert, wandering around her grandmother's house which has been rented out since her death two years ago. When she finds a letter addressed to her among her grandmother's belongings, things change!

She learns that her grandmother, Abigail Caldwell, was at the center of a scandal. As city manager, and without permission from the powers that be, she had ordered city workers to dig up the tennis courts at Vickers Park in search of treasure. Nothing was found. Ordered to destroy all research she had done concerning the contents of the letter, she was dismissed from her job. She kept only the letter itself and had left it to her granddaughter, knowing how much she loved puzzles and in hopes she would 'follow the path' and find the $40 million herself.

Suddenly, summer seems so much more intriguing. Enlisting the help of Brandon, the boy who lives across the street, the two embark on a search that reveals much about the city, its history of racial intolerance, and the violence that led the Washington family and Reggie Bradley to leave town and never come back. The two young African American friends find themselves drawn in to a history lesson from the past, and an understanding of the experiences that are still playing out today. The clues are all there; it is a long, winding and eventful search that will keep readers guessing from start to finish. They may never solve the mystery themselves. The ride is definitely worth it!

The characters are worthy and credible, the plot moves seamlessly from past to present and makes the connections needed to serve the story well.  I love the link to The Westing Game, Brandon's favorite book. Those who love puzzles and mystery will find it fascinating. Reading it to the class might just win other such books new fans!

You might want to have The Westing Game (Raskin), Chasing Vermeer (Balliett), and Holes (Sachar) at the ready.