THE MYSTERY OF MYSTIC MOUNTAIN

Against a rural Western backdrop, rumors of a hidden treasure pull two young people into an adventure.

Becca, who’s nearly 13, had different hopes for her summer, ones that didn’t involve leaving Connecticut to bond with her mom at Get Away Ranch, a Montana resort that promises yoga and cooking classes, a spa and swimming pool, and more. Due to a mix-up, they end up instead at rustic Far Away Ranch, with its spotty internet and more down-to-earth facilities. Meanwhile, Jon, who’s almost 14, is working at the ranch with his dad. He’s heard stories from his great-grandmother about the founding of a famous nearby ghost town, Piney Woods, and the treasure left somewhere in the area by an outlaw in the mid-1800s. Jon, who possesses a clue to the treasure’s whereabouts, invites Becca to help him search for it. They follow interconnected clues and, after some missteps, learn to trust each other. All the while, Becca is trying to figure out who she is and what kind of friend she can be, both in Montana and back home. Vivid, poetic descriptions bring the setting and characters into focus, and the mystery maintains a strong pace. An overbearing YouTube personality, who’s also pursuing the treasure and chases after the kids, feels more like a caricature of a bad guy, however. Main characters are cued white.

A well-written mystery adventure bolstered by high stakes and a burgeoning friendship.