The Secret of the Dragon Gems

On the last night of summer camp, 11-year-olds Tripti Kapoor and Sam Cohen discover a pair of rocks near the creek, which they name Opal and Jasper in homage to their favorite book series, The Dragon Gems. They keep them as souvenirs to remember each other by before returning to their respective homes in Massachusetts and California. During their regular correspondence via letters, emails, text messages, and video chat they realize that the rocks are acting oddly: moving when no one is looking, becoming “too hot to hold,” and somehow writing coded messages. Interspersed throughout the story are excerpts from the Dragon Gem books, online video transcripts, and journal entries written by the camp’s director, Sanford P. Dilloway III, who’s been keeping tabs on the friends for an unknown reason. In this adroitly crafted epistolary tale, LaRocca (Red, White, and Whole) and Baron (The Gray) explore themes of friendship and connection by way of a drawn-out geological mystery. The pair’s back-and-forth exchanges outline their investigation while also allowing them to share slice-of-life details about Sam’s Jewish background and Tripti’s Indian heritage, particularly through depictions of holiday traditions and food, making this a well-balanced and pleasant adventure. Ages 8–12. Agent: (for LaRocca) Brent Taylor, Triada US; (for Baron) Rena Rossner, Deborah Harris Literary. (Aug.)