Author: Gillian McDunn
Genre: mystery
Similar books: The Hike to Home by Jess Rinker
The Stars of Whistling Ridge by Cindy Baldwin
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): Simon's family is always on the move. Every few months, they load up their van, “Vincent Van Go,” and set off for a new adventure. According to his dad, you can't live an extraordinary life by staying in one place. But all Simon wants is to settle down, so he's hatched a plan: to make their latest apartment in the Tangerine Pines building his forever home.
When a priceless necklace is stolen, clues indicate the thief might actually be another neighbor. Simon worries he'll have to move again if the thief isn't caught. He usually doesn't go looking for trouble, but if retrieving the necklace means establishing home, Simon is willing to risk it. With the help of his neighbor Amaya, pet sitter, plant-waterer, and podcaster extraordinaire, Simon is determined to crack the case and finally put down roots.
My opinion: For a book focused on a jewelry theft this one manages to be surprisingly gentle. Which does not mean that it's only a surface read. Quite the contrary. The plot transcends a simple mystery. It digs deep into motivations both of thieves and other characters. Even more than a mystery, its an exploration of community and the depths of people and their relationships. It has the perfect level of complexity for middle grade readers and reads quickly.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
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