When Candice finds a letter in an old attic in Lambert, South Carolina, she isn’t sure she should read it. It’s addressed to her grandmother, who left the town in shame. But the letter describes a young woman. An injustice that happened decades ago. A mystery enfolding its writer. And the fortune that awaits the person who solves the puzzle. 

So with the help of Brandon, the quiet boy across the street, she begins to decipher the clues. The challenge will lead them deep into Lambert’s history, full of ugly deeds, forgotten heroes, and one great love; and deeper into their own families, with their own unspoken secrets. Can they find the fortune and fulfill the letter’s promise before the answers slip into the past yet again? 

This was a beautifully written middle grade novel that contained so many life long lessons that they were hard to keep track of. First and foremost, the biggest take away for me was that when you believe strongly in something, no mystery will go unsolved especially if you lead with your heart!

The Parker Inheritance was so delicately told through the voice and eyes of 12-13 year old kids who got a chance to relive the past through a letter written and found by Candis’ deceased grandma. Along the way, Candis made a friend for life, learned that not everything is the way it seems, differences should be celebrated, family comes first and judgement should be reserved.

Besides a mystery to unravel, a community that needs justice, and an adventure never to be forgotten…what more does a middle grade reader (and adults alike) need in a book??

This one will be highly recommended to my students and colleagues! Amazing!

Varian Johnson is the author of nine novels, including THE PARKER INHERITANCE, which received four starred reviews and was named a 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book, a Junior Library Guild selection and a Spring 2018 Kids’ Indie Next List pick among other accolades. His middle grade caper novel, THE GREAT GREENE HEIST, has been named to over twenty-five state reading and best-of lists.

Varian was born in Florence, South Carolina, and attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a BS in Civil Engineering. He later received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is honored to now serve as a member of the faculty. Varian lives outside of Austin, TX with his family.

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