Zhany, Kat. The Emperor’s Riddle.

Zhany, Kat. The Emperor’s Riddle. Simon & Schuster/Aladdin  2017  256p  $16.99      Uncorrected Proof  ISBN 978-1-4814-7862-5  ms  Adventure, Mystery  VG

Mia was not excited about leaving her friends to visit China, her ancestral home, but she is excited about spending time with her favorite aunt.  Shortly after their arrival in China, Mia finds that Aunt Lin is gone, but Mia is sure it is not willingly.  Solving a map riddle hidden on the back of an ancient painting seems to be the only way to find her aunt.  Mostly on their own, Mia and her brother Jake work their way through the riddles involving famous landmarks around the town.  Each clue leads them closer to finding a treasure hidden over 500 years ago.  During the search, Mia finds more connections to her family and her ancestry.
 

The novel is filled with exciting action and often danger, but the location is completely foreign to most readers.  Some of the information about customs and foods will be better comprehended by older readers.  This title does involve a culture and history completely unknown to most American middle-grade readers. Publisher places this title at grades 3-7.  The exotic locale and culture might be better placed at grades 5-8.  Good purchase but possibly limited audience.

Summary: On a family trip to China, Mia and her brother solve a riddle mystery to both rescue her Aunt and find a treasure that has been hidden for 500 years. Publisher says grades 3-7, but maybe it's more 5-8.

Hidden treasure-Fiction                               ----Joan Theal