Since 1960, both boys and girls have enjoyed reading about Alvin Fernald and his Magnificent Brain. Whenever it clicks into action and a glassy stare comes into his eyes, it's time to watch out Because Alvin is thinking up another marvelous invention.

Maybe it's the Foolproof Burglar Alarm for his bedroom door, or a Sure Shot Paper Slinger for delivering newspapers from his bike. Or a Portable Fire Escape, very handy when it comes time to crawl out the window for a secret meeting with his best pal, Shoie. No doubt about it, as his sister the Pest says, "Alvin is a genius "

The hint of a mystery surrounding the old Huntley place is all Alvin needs to launch a new series of inventions which bring extraordinary results. His remarkable inventing bench becomes the scene of frenzied activity. With Shoie and the Pest, who always tags along, there is never a dull moment as Alvin unfolds the most brilliant plan of his career.

Alvin Fernald is back! Not only back, but he finds himself in the middle of a mystery as exciting and hilarious as The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald, Alvin's Secret Code and the seven other chaotic adventures of this famous series.

Alvin reaches back to the Civil War, at least figuratively, to bond with a boy who buried a national treasure in order to save it. With the aid of the Pest (Alvin's sister Daphne), and his best friend Shoie, Alvin solves a secret message to reveal the whereabouts of the treasure. Clifford B. Hicks has written another classic which both kids and adults will enjoy!