Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach

Hero and her family have moved once again . . .and once again Hero dreads the first day of school.  Her sister Beatrice eases into each new situation with beauty while Hero rarely makes a friend.
As Hero navigates tough circumstances, she befriends an elderly woman, Mrs. Roth, who lives next door.  Mrs. Roth shares a mystery about Hero's new house-a missing diamond may be hidden in it.  As Hero searches for the diamond, she makes some surprising discoveries about Shakespeare, a new friend Danny, Mrs. Roth and herself.
I really enjoyed this mystery and learning more about the controversies surrounding Shakespeare's identity.
Guided Reading Level: T (5th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 6.1
Points to discuss: lying to adults/being deceitful, vandalism, some boy/girl interests (junior high "stuff"), bullying, parental abandonment
Borrowed from the library.