The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck by Emily Fairlie 283 pages 9780062118905

Laurie Madison would much rather change schools to follow her best friend to Hamilton Junior High, but both her parents are Tuckernut alumni. They are passionate Tuckernut supporters -- even though the school is bleeding money and its school board wants to shut it down. Legend has it that the school's founder hid a treasure. Laurie likes a challenge and wants to prevent her nemesis, Calliope from claiming the treasure. She is joined in the search by Bud Wallace, most unpopular student (since his last year's science project on nutrition caused all sweets to be banned on school premises). They have been chosen to be this year's gerbil handlers. They have different reasons to dig into the treasure hunt and  don't really like each other, but they each have unusual strengths that help solve clues strewn about the school.Tuckernuck is not your typical school; the school mascot is a chicken and they wear silly chicken hats at school functions. Light mystery with chuckles along the way.