The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Here's another book from the Scholastic Fall Book Fair Preview Pack, but it's not going to get as good of a review.  While it is definitely well written, I just don't see a middle school student enjoying this read.  It's historical fiction, but on a subject you would be hard pressed to find a young teen interested in.

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge starts with a family having to leave behind their home in England after some kind of scandal.  The father is not only a pastor, but also an anthropologist, who's made a claim many cannot accept.  They move to an island, which currently is in the middle of a big promising dig.

The main character is the daughter, Faith.  She adores her father, but does not have a great relationship with her snobby high society mother.  Right after they arrive on the island Faith's father "commits suicide" because of the stress from his unusual claim, but Faith doesn't believe it.  Trying to prove her father's innocence and find the true murderer, she uncovers an even more mysterious find - the lie tree.  This plant feeds on the lies others say...

It's an intriguing read, but I found myself thinking... would a middle schooler want to read this?  Sadly, I don't think so.