Charlotte Cross and Aunt Deb is the story of Charlotte, who gets an offer to travel to Italy if she will accompany her aunt. Charlotte works all the time in the art department of a department store but only earns just enough for room and board and to send some home to her parents, who paid for her college education. So this sudden offer is more than welcome. Her friend/co-worker/roommate warns her that her astrologer has said nothing good will come of the trip, but Charlotte is determined. However, she has underestimated Aunt Deb, who appears to be even crazier than Charlotte remembered! Deb has discovered record of a lost family treasure hidden away in an Italian castle and is determined to retrieve it. She is also determined to believe the world is after her treasure too. Which is really too bad, since Charlotte soon picks up an admirer that Deb is convinced is a thief. Just what is wrong with Aunt Deb, and is there really a treasure? You'll have to read on to find out!

A fun lark of a novel from the same people who brought you Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. Charlotte Cross was aimed at a slightly older market I think; I just can't imagine a 12-year-old wanting to read about an impoverished college graduate dealing with an apparently mentally impaired elderly woman. This is more like proto-New Adult fiction than "fiction for girls". But for those who enjoy fun vintage literature jaunts, this is definitely one to pick up. ( )