b'TWEEN AND TEEN BOOK SUGGESTIONS By Tricia White | Managing EditorThe Strange Case of the Alchemists Daughter by Theodora Goss The Westing Game by Ellen RaskinNot a recent work, but one that AHigh-Gothic/Victoriantaleofmonsters,madscientists,andshould be a must-read for every young mystery fan; The Westing new interpretations of familiar characters. Mary Jekyll, yestheGame is akin to a more child appropriate version of the works daughter of THAT Jekyll, lost her father when she was very young.of Agatha Christie or the recent film Knives Out. An eccentric Now she has lost her mother, too. When handling her mothers finalmillionaire leaves a complicated will in the form of an elaborate affairs, she learns of an account set up to maintain a mysteriousgame for 16 heirs to vie for the entire fortune. Paired in seemingly figure named Hyde. Nothing here goes as you expect. A reinventionrandom ways, they must play this baffling game for the ultimate of the classic monsters that is worthy of the originals. reward.TWEENS The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman When two runaway girls find themselves in a churning and dangerous city, they quickly The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by Eugene Yelchin andrealize they are in over their heads. Life gets better when they MatthewTobinAndersonTwowarringpeoples,Goblinsandbefriend two homeless boys on an abandoned bridge. They become Elves. Two nerdy scholars, one of each side. The Elf, Brangwain, islike family and finally get to explore life out from under the thumbs tasked with delivering an important peace treaty through enemyof adults who they couldnt trust. But, when something happens territories.TheGoblin,anarchivistmeanttoplayhosttothethat threatens the safety of the new family, a tough choice has to be emissary.Willafriendshipbloomdespiteculturaldifferences?made about where to get help.Whatwillhappenwhentheyaccidentallygetembroiledina political mess that could get them both killed? Find out in thisNew Kid by Jerry Kraft This graphic novel is the cartooned diary National Book Award Finalist. of a middle school boy whose life is upended, and he is thrust into a completely different world in the form of a prestigious private The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA by Brenda Woods Youngschool. Not only is he the new kid, but there are also few other Gabriel thought he had a nearly perfect life in the idyllic town ofminority children in the entire school. He soon begins to feel caught Birdsong, USA. However, when his first ride on the brand-newbetween worlds and accepted by neither. This is a wonderfully bike he got for his 12th birthday almost ends in a horrible tragedy,nuanced look at the alienation often felt in middle school and the he is saved by Meriwether Hunter, an African-American veteranbig and small ways prejudices and cruelty can happen even by of WWII. This act of bravery soon leads to a close friendship,ignorance. It is also a tale of friendship and coming of age. It truly but the more he learns about his new friends life story, the moreruns the gambit of emotional highs and lows.he understands how Meriwethers life in segregated Birdsong is vastly different from his. Meriwethers life, deeds, and stories makeEditors Note: Have a suggestion for GLF readers?We want to hear from you! Gabriel realize what real heroism is. Email: Tricia@goodlifefamilymag.com.GoodLifeFamilyMag.comAPRIL 202035'