RETURN TO GILL PARK

Living at home, Willy Wilson, 13, inherited owner of Gill Park, knows he cannot implement the posthumous wishes of millionaire Otto Pettingill. Willy misses his new baseball pals, “The Gorillas,” from last summer’s visit with Aunt Bridget. Now, failing miserably in school, he convinces his parents that returning to the city of Gloria to live with his aunt will afford him the opportunity to do better while attending the private and specialized Gill Park Gallery School, as well as to oversee the park’s vandalism issues. Gordon continues to add quirky unconventional characters in a new mystery/adventure sequel centered in an eccentric world within the limits of normal city life. Villains, thugs and good guys delineate themes of right vs. wrong behavior and responsibility, as Willy and his two good friends, Liesl and Gareth, work together to solve clues to a mysterious treasure hunt and uncover the real culprits behind the park destruction. Gordon adds an extra facet to her storyline with side elements of art and music history and a subplot involving a community children’s play. Intriguing, idiosyncratic and fun to read. (Fiction. 9-12)