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Description
Twelve-year-old Alexa is spending another summer in Bridewell with her father. She's looking forward to her stay and to solving the mystery of what lies beyond the immense walls that keeps out an unnamed lurking evil.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a middle-grade mystery that mixes a dash of spooky atmosphere with a lot of heart, The Dark Hills Divide might just be the book you hand to your kid this summer. Twelve-year-old Alexa spends her vacation in the walled town of Bridewell, and while she hopes for a relaxing stay, she quickly becomes obsessed with the secret behind the towering walls that keep an unnamed, shadowy menace at bay. The story moves at a brisk pace, letting readers join Alexa as she deciphers clues, forms an unlikely alliance with a quirky local, and discovers that the true danger might be closer than she ever imagined. The book strikes a nice balance between light humor and genuine tension exciting enough to keep turning pages, but never so scary that younger readers will lose sleep. Parents will appreciate that the narrative focuses on problem-solving, friendship, and facing your fears, with only mild peril and no graphic violence. If your child loved the puzzle-solving vibe of The Mysterious Benedict Society or the walled-city intrigue of City of Ember, they'll likely feel right at home in Bridewell.