WEIN, Elizabeth. The Pearl Thief. 336p. Disney-Hyperion. May 2017. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781484717165.

Gr 8 Up –In this prequel to Code Name Verity, set in 1938, Julia Beaufort-Stewart, 15, returns home from school in Paris for summer break to unhappy changes. The family’s house and land have been sold and are being converted into a school. Julie, finding no one at home to welcome her, heads to the river. The next thing she remembers is waking up in the hospital with a head injury, not knowing what happened. The summer evolves into one of continuing mysteries and new friendships and emotions. One of the workers who has been cataloging the family’s collection of antiquities has disappeared. As Julie helps her family pack their belongings, she also feels certain that some of her grandfather’s pearls are missing. And then there are the issues between the local constabulary and the Travellers who spend summers on the estate, the dead body—or part of a dead body—and pearl poaching. Adding to her discomfort are her conflicted feelings for Frank, the chief contractor on the renovations, and Ellen, one of the Travellers who rescued her when she was hit on the head. While not as powerful as Code Name Verity, this title is rich in detail, mystery, and emotion. The main plot is compelling and has the added depth of Julie’s growth and her interactions with the cast of interesting characters and the hints of her future romantic relationships. VERDICT A must for Verity fans and a good read for those who enjoy mystery with a touch of romance.–Janet Hilbun, University of North Texas, Denton

This review was published in the School Library Journal April 2017 issue.