Notorious

Keenan, 12, has lived all over, thanks to his mother and stepfather’s jobs in international schools. When he ends up stuck at his father’s house on Centerlight—a “one-horse” river island on the border between Canada and the U.S.—to recover from tuberculosis, he is eager to heal and get back to Shanghai. The only Canadian his age on Centerlight, lonely ZeeBee, befriends Keenan immediately. She is obsessed with the island’s gangster history—including her home, where Tommy-Gun Ferguson once lived—and is also convinced that someone murdered her dog, Barney. Keenan initially ignores ZeeBee’s conviction that the gangster hid gold on the island, and the American kids he befriends find ZeeBee odd, creating conflict. When Keenan discovers evidence that someone may be killing island animals, he and ZeeBee begin a treasure hunt with someone on their tail. Korman (The Unteachables) brings his usual humor and heart to this well-plotted mystery—told in alternating chapters by Keenan, ZeeBee, and a few other characters—that sensitively explores themes of friendship and family and offers realistically flawed, believable characters. Ages 8–12. [em](Jan.) [/em]