Book Scavenger

Reach for this book when your child feels like a fish out of water after a family relocation or is struggling to find a sense of community in a new school. It is an ideal bridge for the middle-grade reader who loves puzzles and logic but needs to see how those intellectual interests can lead to deep, meaningful friendships. The story follows twelve-year-old Emily as she moves to San Francisco and uses a global book-hunting game to anchor herself in her new environment. While the plot is a fast-paced mystery involving codes and a hunt for a missing literary treasure, the heart of the book is about the vulnerability of being the new kid. It balances high-stakes adventure with the grounded reality of learning to trust a new partner and navigating sibling dynamics. It is a safe, intellectually stimulating choice that celebrates literacy, persistence, and the idea that our 'people' are out there if we follow our passions.