The Treasure of Ocean Parkway

Gr 4-7–In this charming follow up to The Queen of Ocean Parkway, 12-year-old Thea Lim-Lambert is home in Brooklyn for the summer while her artist parents prepare for a new gallery show. Even though the Queen is technically her home, Thea doesn’t feel like she belongs there since her family spends most of the year traveling. With her older sister off at college and her parents busy with their show, Thea is feeling alone. When she stumbles upon the first clue in a treasure hunt addressed to “the Lambert of the future,” she decides to reach out to her neighbors for help. Podcasters and sleuths Roya and Amin are thrilled at the prospect of another mystery to solve right inside their building. The trio team up to solve a series of tricky clues left by Thea’s grandpa Errol, who has Alzheimer’s and can’t really help decipher them. Part mystery, part journey of self-discovery, part lesson on how to let others in when you’ve gotten used to going it alone, this is a delightful story of friendship, family, and community featuring a diverse array of characters. Errol’s Alzheimer’s and its impact on Thea’s family is an important part of the plot and character development, and can offer readers a vital window or mirror for similar family dynamics.