Under the Bottle Bridge

Gr 4–7—Minna Treat is a well-grounded young lady, especially considering she's been twice orphaned: first when her mother died when Minna was two, then again after her grandparents were killed when she was five. Now Minna contentedly lives with her uncle Theo in Gilbreth, a town renowned for its craftsmen, and her biggest concern is her nonexistent entry for Gilbreth's prestigious junior artisan competition. When Minna finds a mysterious message in a bottle under Whistler Bridge, it provides a welcome distraction and begins a quest to find the father she has never known. Subsequent notes left under the bridge lead Minna on a trail discovering her family's contributions to the town's history. Aided by old friend Crash (an inept member of a glassblowing family) and new friend Grace, daughter of the town's mayor (who wants to develop Gilbreth), Minna attempts to solve the mystery of the messages and determine the identity of her father. But in her effort to unwind the puzzle of her heritage, she almost misses her larger family: the town's close-knit artisan community. In turn, Minna may save Gilbreth from the developers. Minna is a wry, amusing narrator, given to frequently quoting her uncle's many parenting books. She views herself as a well-adjusted child, but she has never come to terms with her mother's death, convinced there is no need to mourn someone she does not remember. In searching for family, Minna achieves far more than she anticipates. Beautifully written, with vivid characters, this exploration of family and friendship shines from the first page.