Ringwald, Whitaker.
THE SECRET BOX
New York : Katherine Tegan, 2013
IL 3-6. RL 3.9
ISBN 0062216147

On her 12th birthday, Jax receives a package in the mail from her great-aunt Juniper. Just another boring gift, she imagines. But when her mother anxiously snatches the mysterious package away, Jax’s curiosity is ignited. She must find out what’s inside! With the help of her shy, younger cousin Ethan and his obnoxious, older, tech genius, video gaming brother, Tyler, she begins the task of surreptitiously stealing her package back from the Post Office, where her mother has taken it to be returned to sender. Tearing the package open, Jax finds a box which can’t be opened. In order to find out what’s inside, the three learn they must unravel clues to lead them to the only location in which it will open. They are not the only ones who crave the secret box. Dangerous criminals will do anything to steal it. Will they be able to hold onto the powerful box?  Are they clever enough to solve the clues in time? Told in the alternating voices of Jax and Ethan, this suspenseful mystery is full of intrigue and danger.    (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)