Hide and Geek

Four friends know that being a geek is a superpower -- and they're about to prove it as they solve a puzzlemaker's last clue and uncover a long lost treasure!

The GEEKs:
Gina, Edgar, Elena, and Kevin have been best friends for as long as they can remember. So when their archnemesis points out that their initials make them literally GEEKs, they decide to go with it.

The problem:
The GEEKs hometown of Elmwood was once the headquarters of the famous toymaker Maxine Van Houten. Her popular puzzle sphere, the Bamboozler, put the town on the map. But Maxine passed away long ago. Now the toy factory is shutting down, and Elena s mom and Kevin s dad are losing their jobs. They might have to move and that would mean splitting up the GEEKs!

The quest:
Maxine left one final puzzle, a treasure hunt that could save the town and keep the friends together. But only those who know and love Elmwood best will be able to solve it. GEEKs to the rescue!

Leseprobe:

1

I may not be a math genius like my friend Kevin, but I can count. And because I m a journalist, it s important for me to record things accurately, which is why I always keep a pencil tucked into my bun and carry my scuffed-up leather notebook (it s vintage--a birthday gift from Mom last year). So when Kevin popped from his lunchroom seat like a jack-in-the-box, I knew it was the twenty-seventh time he d done that in only eight minutes.

Kevin Robinson for president! Be sure to vote! Kevin blurted. He snatched a kevin for sixth-grade class president flyer from the massive stack in the middle of our lunch table and thrust it toward Gunner Bradley, who nearly dropped his lunch tray in surprise. Scientific calculators for every student and new science-lab equipment! More funding for the debate team and educational field trips! Help me help you make Elmwood Middle School a better place to learn!

Instead of the outstretched flyer, Gunner snatched a chicke n nugget from Kevin s lunch and said, Thanks, dude. Chicken nuggets rule!

As Gunner hustled away, I glanced across the lunch table at my other two best friends--Edgar Feingarten and Elena Hernández. Elena and I shared an eye roll. Kevin had been class president in third grade, in fourth grade, and in fifth. Of course he d be class president again in sixth grade. Nobody else ever bothered to run against him. Plus, he was the one who d started the school s peer-tutoring program, raised money for new sports equipment with a car wash, and got the cafeteria to turn the smelly lunch scraps into compost for the school garden. He had good ideas, and everyone knew it.

Kevin sat down and smoothed the flyer on the edge of the table. He rubbed at the collar of his polo shirt. Do you think I need a tie? To look more presidential?

Mmm, Edgar grunted, his round face buried in some new play script. As he read, he unconsciously played with his hair, twisting and untwi sting one of his loopy red curls.

Elena took a slug of chocolate milk. What you need, Kev, is a classier look. Like mine. Elena ran her hands down her wrinkled T-shirt, which had a picture of Albert Einstein on the front. Einstein s hair shot out in all directions, in contrast to Elena s, which her abuela braided nice and tight and neat every morning before school.

Kevin shook his head. I m serious, Elena. Class president is an important position. I d be able to make this school better for everyone. I could help improve our educational outcomes and experiences. I can t just--

He can t just slap up a few posters and call it a campaign. An all-too-unwelcome voice cut in. Silver bracelets jangled on Sophina Burkhart s wrist as she reached over Kevin s shoulder and plucked up a flyer. Glittery polish flashed on her perfectly manicured nails as she brushed back a strand of her shoulder-length, straight blond hair. Sophina s trailing pack of minions--Kyesha Killman, Bella Ronelli-Compelli, and Mandy Sykes--all peered over her shoulder. This year, Kevin will actually have to earn his votes.

I--I can get votes, Kevin spluttered. I have ideas. Experience.

Sure you do, Sophina said. She studied Kevin s flyer before casually tossing it back onto the table. Her green eyes sparkled. But why would anyone vote for you . . . when they can vote for me?

Kevin s dark eyes widened. I--what--you? he stammered. He tugged at the collar of his shirt. If Sophina was being serious, this was not good. Like Kevin, Sophina was smart. Unlike Kevin, she was also popular.

Without turning around, Sophina he