York by Laura Ruby

In this epic treasure hunt through an alternate steampunk New York City, neighbours Tess, Theo, and Jaime race against time to decode the famous Old York Cipher before their building is destroyed by business mogul and real estate developer Darnell Slant.

Pulled me right out of a reading slump!

York is a warm and witty read, with puzzles galore, heaps of city history, and rich descriptions. The characters are distinct and quirky, and utterly relatable as they battle to save their home. I sure wish I had such a cool elevator in my life, and a wild mash-up creature as a pet.

At almost 500 pages, York is a proper chunk of a book, more suited for the very strongest readers in the upper middle grade band. It’s a gateway into early teen books.

Though York has a totally satisfying ending, it is the first in a trilogy and, as such, also leaves the reader on a delicious cliffhanger all primed to launch into the world of book two: York: The Clockwork Ghost.

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