Chester lives with his mother, but he is convinced that his father works as a spy for the government. Chester knows how hard his mother works to keep food on the table, so he hides from her trouble he is having from a bully at school. One day Chester receives a mysterious note that seems to be a clue to a mystery. Chester believes it must be from his spy father and sees it as a chance to help him and make him proud. A girl from school, Skye, also gets a clue, and Chester finds himself the unwilling partner to a girl who is opposite from him in almost every way. As they work together on the clues, they form a friendship, but that friendship is strained by Chester's feeling of urgency to find and help his father. Soon they are in more trouble than either of their could dream of, and only team work, patience and friendship can get them out of it.
After reading The Night Letters I was looking for something much lighter to read. This one was listed as "humorous" so I thought I would give it a try. It wasn't really very humorous, but it was well written and I am not sorry I read it. Chester is a authentic character, trying so hard to believe something despite all the evidence to the contrary. He is also on the spectrum, and the author clearly has had experience with kids who can't abide changes in their schedule, or need the familiar and routine to feel safe. Skye is also a very endearing character, and the picture of the "ideal friend." This is a good choice for kids who like the "social issues" kinds of books like Wonder or Fish in a Tree. (2022, 304 p.)
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