Nessie Quest by Melissa Savage
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0525645675
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

It is necessary to reveal the spoiler first, this reader has been to Loch Ness and looked for Nessie.   All the same the character of Ada Ru is compelling and her interactions with other characters are enlightened.  Perhaps the fact that her mother is a therapist helps Ada Ru stay in touch with her feelings but it is her desire to learn and to become involved that move this book forward.  Other characters are equally exposed in terms of their weaknesses and loyalties but perhaps the most definitive individual is Hamish Bean better known as Captain Green Bean.  Not only is this an enchanted mystery for intermediate and middle school readers but there is pre-adolescent romance budding as well.  Lots of twist and turns risk blindsiding the reader making the end satisfactory to all readers.

It is recommended that middle school media specialist and public librarians find room on their shelves for this title.  There may be classroom teachers that would find this an appropriate read aloud as it reveals Scottish traditions, local language and geography.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME