Andi Unexpected

Gr 4–6—Twelve-year-old science-loving Andi Boggs and her artistic older sister, Bethany, are still reeling from the death of their parents. They are sent to live with an aunt in rural Ohio in the family's ancestral home. When Andi finds a mysterious box full of baby trinkets and memorabilia of another Andora Boggs from the 1930s, Andi and her new friend Colin are determined to find out who baby Andora was and what happened to her. As they look for clues in the town's museum, the sleuths discover that they are not the only ones on the case; townsfolk may be covering up the real story. Are their reasons sentimental or sinister? Action-packed with appealing characters and great plot twists, the book is a solid mystery series opener. Andi is sure to please kids with her earnest likability and determined constitution. Give this one to kids ready to move on from Jane O'Connor's "Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth" books (HarperCollins).—Terry Ann Lawler, Burton Barr Library, Phoenix, AZ