Friday, May 9, 2008

Hidden - A treasure for 'tweens


Hidden, By Dotti Enderle
Illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry
Pelican Publishing Company (August 15, 2007)


Hidden is a treasure.

"You can learn a lot from dead people. You just have to know where to look," says twelve-year-old Fiona, the day after her grandmother's funeral. She's none too happy about being recruited by her mother to help sort through Grandma's worldly possessions. That is, until underneath the drawer of an old cash register, Fiona finds an intriguing anniversary card to Millie from Don, with a strange message about having found "a new hiding place." A new hiding place for what?

Unable to draw her mother or dad into the mystery, she turns to a newfound friend named Eugene who seems to appear at the drop of a hat, and disappear just as quickly, especially when Fiona wants to introduce him to her parents. They work together to interpret the clues hoping a valuable treasure will be found. The mystery turns deadly when Grandma's house is broken in to and searched, or as Fiona observes; It looks like the house puked.

Hidden is a real page-turner. I know that's an overused expression, but I couldn't stop reading! A very enjoyable story for 8-12 and beyond. This adult reader enjoyed it immensely. Dotti Enderle's writing is funny, family-friendly, descriptive and concise. No words are wasted in this 'tween mystery. T. Kyle Gentry's illustrations are an added bonus. I'd recommend it for all.

Dotti's Website

Amazon

4 comments:

Janet Grace Riehl said...

Mary, this does look like a fun book. If you liked this book, you might like my friend Alethea Eason's book "Hungry." There's a nice review of it in the May issue of SFRevu, a great science fiction, on-line publication.

You can see the review at: http://www.sfrevu.com/php/Review-id.php?id=6059

Janet Riehl
www.riehlife.com

Word said...

Hi Mary!

I second what Janet said. It really does look like a lot of fun to read.

I liked the cover illustrations too!

This comes at a perfect time because I was just thinking "What book should I read next?" Now my question is answered!

Thanks Mary!

Donna

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a winner! I love the illustrations and the cover too.
Thanks for sharing your review.

Mary Cunningham said...

Janet, I'll be sure to check the review of "Hungry." Thanks for commenting.

Word, it's a very fun read. I think you'd enjoy it. And, it's well-written.

Thanks for stopping by, Mayra. High praise coming from your keen "reviewer's eye."