The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed

THE ROSEWOOD HUNT by Mackenzie Reed is an energizing debut which features younger, teenage characters.  Although Reed appears to be writing for a younger audience,  this treasure-hunt mystery is a very fun read for any age. Described as an update on Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game, the story centers around 4 teens:  Lily Rosewood (granddaughter and apparent heir to a clothing business), Leo DiVincenzi (the gardener/lawn boy), Quinn Zhao (athletic and cool new kid), and Caleb Johnson (nerdy computer guy from a neighboring town). They develop a close alliance while searching for a missing fortune and battling self-centered adults. The pace is fast; danger threatens; and the teens (along with their emotional angst and “friendship that blooms during an unexpected journey”) are appealing and engaging. School Library Journal says, “This mystery will grab the attention of readers from the start as it takes them along a trail of clues.” THE ROSEWOOD HUNT received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.