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aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
I found myself skimming this book but there were a couple of things I enjoyed. The art heist at the Isabella Gardner museum is a fascinating topic. I've read The Gardner Heist by Ulrich Boser, so I had some prior knowledge. The author ties in pop music, so I made a Boston playlist for my next trip. Also, the tie-ins with historic places was clever. I hope someday those lost pieces are recovered and that they are still in good shape.
brandypainter's review against another edition
2.0
I usually enjoy [a:Erin Dionne|1686343|Erin Dionne|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1217883831p2/1686343.jpg]'s books more than I did this one. I think my disappointment was magnified because I had my hopes rather high for this one and was mostly unimpressed. I can see kids loving it though. It has that sort of kid adventure movie feel to it. Kids versus the mobsters, and the kids actually have a chance of winning. The danger never materializes quite like it would in reality. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I could have liked Moxie herself, but I was rolling my eyes by the end of the first chapter. I'm so tired of main characters who are supposed to be unique and special because they like older music and buy vintage clothes. This is so overused that there is nothing unique or special about these characters. It feels like slapping a vintage t-shirt on a character and giving her a playlist her parents would have listened to are acceptable replacements for actual character development. I do like that she was a Math lover though.
pkadams's review against another edition
4.0
A decent children's mystery with a similar premise and action level of [b:The Westing Game|902|The Westing Game|Ellen Raskin|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1356850909s/902.jpg|869832]. Kids will love this book, but the depth and low believability make it more of a beach/summer read than a school book. Diverting and good pick for kids who like mysteries.
froggylibrarian1's review against another edition
4.0
Moxie has always known her grandfather “Grumps” was in “the business” but when an old associate comes looking around for some missing items she finds out just how involved he was. Moxie has 14 days to locate the missing items…or else. Unfortunately, Grumps has Alzheimer’s and can’t help her out. Using her skills as a mathematician and with the help of her best friend, Ollie she investigates the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist and the role her grandfather played. Moxie’s investigation takes her to the State House, the Old North Church, and Fenway. There is a lot to love about this mystery, especially for New England readers familiar with the setting.
I really enjoyed this book. It helped that I have been to Boston several times and know the locations in the book. I thought the author did a good job of integrating Boston culture and history with a famous art museum mystery. The only thing that was weird to me was that Moxie was entering high school. She didn’t seem that old and I felt like her character could have been younger considering how she acted and the reading level of the book. I don’t see this book as being popular with the high school crowd but rather with grade 4-6.
I really enjoyed this book. It helped that I have been to Boston several times and know the locations in the book. I thought the author did a good job of integrating Boston culture and history with a famous art museum mystery. The only thing that was weird to me was that Moxie was entering high school. She didn’t seem that old and I felt like her character could have been younger considering how she acted and the reading level of the book. I don’t see this book as being popular with the high school crowd but rather with grade 4-6.
guardianofthebookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and fun! A bit young for me, but upper MG and lower YA readers would definitely enjoy this book, especially if they've read Ally Carter's Heist Society.
mon_ique's review against another edition
5.0
LAAVVVED IT!!! Besides her grandfather being a former criminal (haha), I thought this book was captivating, and informative when it comes to Alzheimer's and the feelings of the family. Love Ollie and can't wait to read his story:).
librarybrods's review against another edition
3.0
I just couldn't take the "Boston accent" on the audio version.
faeriedrumsong's review
4.0
Very cute! I liked the heroine, even if she did do stupid things sometimes, they weren't so stupid they made me disbelieve. In fact, she did SMART things sometimes, even thought they might have made the story slightly less exciting, it made a lot of sense, and then that made the bad choices a lot more believable.
Very cryptic. I know.
I like the friend, too. I ESPECIALLY like the fact that they ARE friends. With no hint of a romance at all. Because, yes, boys and girls (and men and women) can actually be friends without any awkwardness. For real. :-)
Very cryptic. I know.
I like the friend, too. I ESPECIALLY like the fact that they ARE friends. With no hint of a romance at all. Because, yes, boys and girls (and men and women) can actually be friends without any awkwardness. For real. :-)
pkadams's review
4.0
A decent children's mystery with a similar premise and action level of [b:The Westing Game|902|The Westing Game|Ellen Raskin|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1356850909s/902.jpg|869832]. Kids will love this book, but the depth and low believability make it more of a beach/summer read than a school book. Diverting and good pick for kids who like mysteries.
theartolater's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book.
It takes place in the Boston area and involves the Isabella Gardner Museum art heist. Fenway Park is prominent. Moxie is a fun protagonist. The mystery is just believable enough, and there's a nice sense of danger and craziness to go around, too.
I don't want to say too much more about it, if only because the book benefits from being a bit of a surprise. It's a breezy, fun YA read. Great for folks who are looking for something a little older than the Blue Balliett mysteries in particular.
It takes place in the Boston area and involves the Isabella Gardner Museum art heist. Fenway Park is prominent. Moxie is a fun protagonist. The mystery is just believable enough, and there's a nice sense of danger and craziness to go around, too.
I don't want to say too much more about it, if only because the book benefits from being a bit of a surprise. It's a breezy, fun YA read. Great for folks who are looking for something a little older than the Blue Balliett mysteries in particular.