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a_reader_obsessed's review
4.0
4 Stars
I happily blame Laura for pointing me to this book because her review reeled me in! Though I typically don’t read a lot of middle grade stories, I really can’t resist a Sherlockian character, and this didn’t disappoint.
Florian Bates is a whip smart, somewhat awkward 12 year old, who has a special gift for noticing the minutiae of his surroundings, resulting in accurate impressive assessments of any and all situations. This not only garners the attention of the FBI but the bad guys too!
To say the least, I enjoyed my little break from adulthood, and I was thoroughly charmed by Florian. He’s not afraid of using his brain, though there’s hints that his different way of thinking and doing have not gone over well with his peers, especially since he’s moved a lot due to the nature of his parents’ jobs (security and art). However, all that changes when they move to DC, and he meets neighbor Margaret who quickly becomes his bestie and his partner in solving crime.
What I appreciate the most about this is that no one was over the top or stereotypical caricatures that were too stupid to live. Florian is good to the core, humble, and gracious. Margaret is strong, equally smart, and supportive. The parents are reasonable and the other adults aren’t dismissive jerks. Add in an artsy heist, cool FBI training, a kidnapping, and what I suspect an ongoing mystery revolving around Margaret’s adoptive past, and you have the makings of a fun story!
Soooo, it’s clearly obvious I was entertained and impressed as this is not only for kids but adults as well who like a plausible intelligent protagonist who saves the day and who’s wholly likable!
I happily blame Laura for pointing me to this book because her review reeled me in! Though I typically don’t read a lot of middle grade stories, I really can’t resist a Sherlockian character, and this didn’t disappoint.
Florian Bates is a whip smart, somewhat awkward 12 year old, who has a special gift for noticing the minutiae of his surroundings, resulting in accurate impressive assessments of any and all situations. This not only garners the attention of the FBI but the bad guys too!
To say the least, I enjoyed my little break from adulthood, and I was thoroughly charmed by Florian. He’s not afraid of using his brain, though there’s hints that his different way of thinking and doing have not gone over well with his peers, especially since he’s moved a lot due to the nature of his parents’ jobs (security and art). However, all that changes when they move to DC, and he meets neighbor Margaret who quickly becomes his bestie and his partner in solving crime.
What I appreciate the most about this is that no one was over the top or stereotypical caricatures that were too stupid to live. Florian is good to the core, humble, and gracious. Margaret is strong, equally smart, and supportive. The parents are reasonable and the other adults aren’t dismissive jerks. Add in an artsy heist, cool FBI training, a kidnapping, and what I suspect an ongoing mystery revolving around Margaret’s adoptive past, and you have the makings of a fun story!
Soooo, it’s clearly obvious I was entertained and impressed as this is not only for kids but adults as well who like a plausible intelligent protagonist who saves the day and who’s wholly likable!
lachelle45's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cozycat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Starts off with “in the action” and doesn’t reveal the solution till the end which ends up being a pretty good twist. Good mystery for a middle grader.
mdpbernal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
whatsthestorywishbone's review
5.0
Listened to this one and the reader was great. The book was so fun! It was a perfect read for a 7 year old. It is like a better version of encyclopedia brown. The main character uses the powers of deduction to help the FBI solve an art crime. The end of this one was a bit unbelievable which kind of took me out for a bit, but the explanations for everything are so woven into the story it makes up for that fact. And the friendship between the boy and girl is so sweet and pure. Will read the other ones in the series with Reid for sure.
bickie's review against another edition
4.0
Florian Bates moves a lot due to his parents' art-world consulting / restoration jobs. He's learned to use a system he calls TOAST (Theory of All Small Things) to quickly discern how to find friends and avoid bullies at new schools. TOAST means that you ignore the obvious and focus on small things that show you what's not explicit. Recently moved to Washington, DC, where his parents work at the National Gallery of Art, Florian meets Margaret, a neighbor, who is instantly impressed and fascinated (and not at all intimidated) by his TOAST abilities so asks him to teach her how to do it. They have fun "TOASTing" people, such as guessing where they will get off the Metro based on what they observe, until things turn serious when they observe the same person with two different looks in the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries. Could he be up to no good? One thing leads to another, and Florian ends up a "covert asset" for the FBI.
Framed! is a fluid, clever, exciting read that shows two pre-teens (they are 12 and starting 7th grade) with a healthy, respectful relationship both with each other and with their parents (and, it seems with other adults). Margaret and the main FBI agent are Black, and there is a mad scientist at Quantico with a Latinx name. "Bad guys" are Eastern European and.
Highly recommended; I couldn't put it down. Best for 9-12 (no real edgy material; there is a kidnapping (at the very beginning) but no guns or other overt threats of danger).
Framed! is a fluid, clever, exciting read that shows two pre-teens (they are 12 and starting 7th grade) with a healthy, respectful relationship both with each other and with their parents (and, it seems with other adults). Margaret and the main FBI agent are Black, and there is a mad scientist at Quantico with a Latinx name. "Bad guys" are Eastern European and
Spoiler
British though one Romanian bad guy is not as bad as he appearsHighly recommended; I couldn't put it down. Best for 9-12 (no real edgy material; there is a kidnapping (at the very beginning) but no guns or other overt threats of danger).
tylerkatherine's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
annegirl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.25
katrenia's review
4.0
Loved this story! The author is very good at writing for mid to upper elementary students. What kid doesn’t want to solve crimes and work for the FBI??