Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest

Gr 4-8–Reminiscent of his “Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” series, Grabenstein sends readers on another quest, with two brothers seeking a million-dollar prize. Benji, 12, and his older brother Ethan don’t get along. Ethan is athletic and popular, Benji is a higher-weight person and loves solving puzzles. Ethan agrees to a trip to the Grand Canyon with Benji only to get a free truck from his parents and a year’s worth of gas from his aunt. What seems like misery-on-wheels becomes an exciting adventure when they end up getting pulled into Ms. Pennypickle’s puzzle contest, a massive race along Route 66. With Ethan’s athleticism and driving skills combined with Benji’s puzzle-solving acumen, they have a good chance of winning. But is everyone playing fair? And is everything just what it seems? This is a delightful ride along Route 66 and through the ups and downs of brotherhood as Benji and Ethan strengthen their bond, both within and beyond the games. Main characters are cued white.