The Postcard by Tony Abbott Ages 9-12 368 pages Little, Brown May 2009 Paperback     When Jason’s grandmother dies, he is sent to Florida to help his father pack her home and settle the estate. Having never met the woman, Jason only knows that she was in a wheelchair most of her life due to a mysterious accident and she suffered from “Dementia-of-the-Alzheimer’s-Type.” He soon learns that his great-grandfather was railroad tycoon Quincy Monroe, former owner of the Hotel DeSoto, which is scheduled to be knocked down. While his father drinks himself into a stupor, Jason receives a strange phone call which leads him to a hidden postcard of the old hotel. Before long, Jason stumbles upon an old manuscript detailing the baffling life of his mystifying granny. Joined by a lawn-mowing, fast-talking, neighbor girl, the two set off to uncover a mystery with connections to the Ringling Brothers, a small fortune, and an astonishing family secret, but they’re not the only ones on the trail. Tony Abbott, author of Firegirl and the popular “Droon” series, weaves an intriguing and captivating tale in The Postcard. Although it starts a little slowly, the action eventually picks up and keeps readers enthralled to the end - without the use of magic or mythical creatures. These characters rely only on their wits, making for a realistic and appealing read. But have no fear: excitement abounds, as there are quite a few bizarre and peculiar villains clowning around between these covers. Come one, come all, and be a part of the intrigue.     web reviews   Niki Masse Schoenfeldt/2009 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)