Chasing Secrets

Lizzie Kennedy wants to be a doctor, like her dad. But this is San Fransisco in 1900, and girls go to finishing schools, not high schools. And definitely not colleges.

Lizzie, her older brother and her father live in a house on her aunt and uncle’s property on Nobb Hill. They’re not wealthy, but her uncle is. Since her mother died, her aunt insisted that Lizzie attend Miss Barsto’s school for girls. Yuck. Lizzie hates it.

She loves going on calls with her dad, which she gets to do on the weekends. She uses her powers of observation, and realizes something is not right in San Fransisco. She needs the help of a Chinese boy hiding in her house and some new friends from Miss Barstow’s to figure out exactly what is happening.

Gennifer Choldenko’s Chasing Secrets is funny, scary and mysterious. Choldenko wrote the Al Capone series (reviewed here), some of my family’s favorites. Chasing Secrets will join that list.

Highly recommended for ages 10 and up.