The Secret of Dinswood by Ellen Alexander

Emma's mother died when she was small.  Her stepmother is nice but her children take priority in her life.  And it seems like Emma's father is more interested in them, too.  So she's happy when she wins a scholarship and can go away to school.

BHC Press and Library Thing shared a copy of this book with me for review (thank you).  It will be published February 26th.

Emma enjoys most of her classes, makes new friends and likes the routine of school.  She's boarding there so she's left her family problems at home.  She's even got a new guy that she likes and wouldn't mind having for a boyfriend.  All is going well.  But things change.

The school is having problems with financing.  It may have to shut down because there is not enough money to stay open.  There's a rumor of a treasure belonging to a pirate in the past and the group of four decides to try to find it.  They don't have any luck and the clues are riddles.  Are they not getting the right answers to the riddles?  Is there really a treasure?

They do a dance for the students and her fella dances with everyone but her.  She gets mad at him and he's embarrassed by what he's done.  They end up not speaking to each other.  Then he finds out the school is going to shut down at the end of term.  Now they all have to start the treasure hunt again and they need to find it for the school.  What they don't know is that they are not the only ones looking...

This is a great book for middle graders and adults both.  I enjoyed this read and bet you will, too.