Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas

Gr 4–7—Archaeology is in seventh grader Addison Cooke's DNA. With a knack for research and a penchant for Arnold Palmers, Addison is ready to join his aunt and uncle on their excavations, but they insist he needs to stay in school. All that changes when Addison's uncle discovers the first clue that leads to an ancient Incan treasure, making him and his estranged wife targets for a ruthless organization. When Aunt Delia and Uncle Nigel are kidnapped, Addison recruits his younger sister Molly and their friends Raj and Eddie to save them. Armed with a can-do attitude, extensive knowledge of the Incas, and a plethora of snappy quips, Addison leads his team to the Amazon, following clues and trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. Cinematic pacing and action drive the story, but it's Addison and his friends who will keep readers engaged. Humor is never in short supply, even when the group narrowly escapes danger, and Addison's endless optimism and irrepressible confidence in his own abilities are endearing rather than tiresome.