The Parker Inheritance
by Varian Johnson
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books / Scholastic, 2018
331 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-94617-9
Ages 8-11
At her late grandmother’s house in
Lambert, South Carolina, for the summer, African American Candice discovers an
old letter referencing a hidden treasure in town. Her grandmother tried to find
it to benefit the community years before. Instead, she left town in disgrace
after losing her job as city administrator. Candice, who loves puzzles, teams
with neighbor Brandon, who has research skills (and internet access at home),
in hopes of finding the money and redeeming her grandmother’s name. Candice and
Brandon’s emerging friendship slowly solidifies as details about their lives
unfold (Candice’s parents are separated; Brandon is dealing with a bully and a
disapproving grandfather) along with the mystery. Clues in the letter from the
mysterious benefactor reference Lambert’s mid-twentieth century history, when Siobhan,
the talented, forthright daughter of the tennis coach at the Black high school,
was in love with Reggie, the best player on the team, despite her father’s
disapproval. Chapters set in the past expand on the story Candice and Brandon
are uncovering: When a secret 1957 match between the white and Black boys’
tennis teams triggers violent racist attacks after the Black high school team
wins, Siobhan’s family and Reggie must flee town for their own safety. The
teens’ resulting separation is at the heart of the mystery in this entertaining
homage to The Westing Game that deftly yet meaningfully
incorporates social justice issues from the past and the present (e.g., ongoing
racism, homophobia). ©2018 Cooperative
Children’s Book Center
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