Ten-year-olds Annie and Jason are not just neighbors ey are best friends who belong together like, well, peanut butter and jelly. They even have their own secret society. But when financial hardship means Jason might have to move away, Annie is determined to do whatever it takes ll a kidney, have a bake sale, play the lotto keep Jason's family in their home. When a crabby neighbor, Mrs. Schuster, hints at buried treasure and offers them a map, it seems too good to be true. Juggling soccer games, bossy older siblings, and parents stressing over money, Annie and Jason do their best to keep their friendship afloat. Mrs. Schuster is the grandmother figure every child wants, and her wit and backstory add depth to the tale. This charming novel, with a friendship reminiscent of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Faith, Hope and Ivy June (2009), will delight readers. Subtly exploring themes of social class, sacrifice, and compassion, Annie and Jason's adventure is a satisfying treat.

Fifth graders Annie and Jason are best friends and the sole members of the PB&J Society. When Jason's dad loses his job, forcing the family to sell its suburban house, impulsive Annie hatches outrageous plans to fix things, including searching for treasure hidden by the supposed piratical ancestor of an elderly neighbor. The strong friendship compensates somewhat for the implausible plot and awkward dialogue.

Gr 4-6 Grade school best friends and neighbors Annie and Jason are as compatible as the ingredients of their favorite sandwich: peanut butter and jelly. When Jason learns that he'll have to move to California because his parents' house is undergoing foreclosure, Annie starts concocting unrealistic plans, such as selling her appendix to save his house. Then cranky elderly neighbor Mrs. Schuster bequeaths Annie and Jason something even better: a map that will lead them to treasure buried in the neighborhood. As Annie tries to find the treasure to help Jason, she inadvertently causes him several problems, including destroying the garden his family was relying on for food. At its surface, this is the story of two kids trying to distract themselves with a treasure hunt as serious life circumstances threaten to separate them. However, it's also about Annie's struggle to adapt to change, her ability to figure out realistic solutions to problems, and her realization that even Mrs. Schuster needs companionship. The plot and the character arcs are realistic and fully realized. Readers will get caught up in Annie's funny, desperate quest to save Jason's house but will also relate to the disappointment she feels when she messes up. This is an insightful depiction of two kids wanting what is best for their friendship in a post-recession economy. VERDICT A general purchase for most middle grade collections, especially in communities that are still feeling ripple effects from the 2008 recession. Liz Anderson, DC Public Library