Check out this clever middle grade read. A mixture of From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, to Chasing Vermeer and Masterpiece. This is one of the best books I have read this year! A possible Newbery Honor book, I don't know, but I couldn't put the book down.
Meet Theo Tenpenny. She is a young responsible girl who, un until now, was taken care of by her grandfather, Jack. She lives with her mentally ill mother but now that Jack is dead, all the responsibility lies on Theo. She is responsible for tending to the family's 200 year-old town house and caring for a flock of chickens that lay eggs. And Theo is only 13 years-old. But all Theo can think about are Jack's last words, "It's under the egg, look under the egg. A letter and a treasure." Now how is Theo to survive, pay the bills and take care of herself and her mother? Without Jack's job at the art museum, none of this seems possible. That is until she discovers a painting that looks like it could be worth a fortune. But how did her grandfather get such a painting? It seems odd being that he was a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Now Theo is worried that maybe her grandfather stole it and she is afraid of what the consequences for her family might be.
And so the adventure begins. Along the way, Theo meets a new friend, Bodhi, a wealthy young girl who has it all. Together the two solve the mystery of the masterpiece and learn a bit about art, history and friendship.
A great mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats while introducing them to the secret world of art. Recommended for grades 4-7.
