Adrienne Kress is involved in the theatre, apparently. She either currently teaches or recently taught drama to 8-12-year-olds; she must be very brave. After attending the University of Toronto, she went on to study and act in London. Her parents are also theatrical sorts, and she not only dedicated the book to them, but reiterated her thanks in the afterword. This book was a birthday present from Ben; I think he primarily bought it because of the title. Admittedly, the title is quite good. This seems to be Ms. Kress’s first novel, although she appears to have written several plays; the second, Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate, will be published next year.

Alexandra Morningside, more commonly called Alex, lives with her uncle, who sells doorknobs, on or near a bridge. She has just started sixth grade at the prestigious Wigpowder-Steele Academy (her uncle is inexplicably on the board of directors), and she has a brand-new teacher: Mr. Underwood. Mr. Underwood turns out to be a descendent of the Wigpowder who founded the school; that man was a pirate, and he still has some treasure somewhere. However, the descendant of the Steele is currently a pirate, and he thinks that Mr. Underwood knows where the map to the treasure is. Before too long, the pirate kidnaps Mr. Underwood. Alex, having very little other family (Mr. Underwood and her uncle have become great friends), must go after him. She’s only ten-and-a-half years old, though. What can she do? (more…)

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