The House on the Gulf / Margaret Peterson Haddix / 201 pages

Bran thought he had it all figured out.  His family had been living in the projects and violence was escalating.  He told his mom and sister that he got a house sitting job for the summer so they could live in the house rent free while his mom went to college in hopes of securing a scholarship for single moms in the fall.  Twelve year old Britt suspects that Bran is hiding something when he packs up all the pictures and many of the items in the house.  What is going on?  Britt plays detective while befriending and running errands for the elderly neighbors.  "With unexpected twists and turns, award winner Margaret Peterson Haddix has again crafted a thriller that will grip readers until it stunning conclusion."  If you read one book by this author, you will want to read them all!!!!