From School Library Journal
Gr 5–8—Melissa, Wilf, and Bondi—an enterprising money-maker, a slacker, and a smooth talker, respectively—are unlikely recipients of a mysterious scholarship offer, but that doesn't stop them from trying to win it anyway. They're given a driver, a cell phone, a debit card, a camera, and three clues, with the instruction that they are to tell no one what they're doing. The first kid to answer all three clues correctly wins a $10,000 scholarship. But as the chase progresses, the kids soon see that things aren't adding up. This realization forces them to work together, prove that they aren't slackers or criminals, and win a prize bigger than anything they've ever dreamed. This fast-paced story set in Chicago takes readers on a scavenger hunt to some of the city's most famous landmarks, with interesting trivia and history to accompany them. Ecton creates an eclectic and vivid cast of characters from varied backgrounds, lending authenticity to this Chicago-set tale. The addition of text messages, emails, and written notes provides a fun interlude between chapters. VERDICT An appealing adventure story likely to be in high demand. A must-buy for all libraries serving middle graders, especially those in the Chicago area.—Jessica Holland, Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington
Review
"Three kids race across Chicago in a competition for a $10,000 scholarship. Who will solve their clues first? The story made me grin, and the clues--truly solvable clues!--had me searching my memory for what I knew of Chicago for answers. (I recommend trying to solve the clues before the characters do.) Then, be prepared for twists. You'll think, 'Yeah, what is going on with all the secrecy? Is something up?' Indeed, it is!"―Amy Timberlake, author of , a Newbery Honor Book
"Readers of the Kingdom Keepers are going to eat this up! Ambrose Deception's tricky quest, a competition between polar opposites, thrusts the reader into a story that satisfies and complicates and then twists at just the right moment. Emily Ecton delivers a readable maze of a novel that middle grade readers will adore and not stop talking about! These characters are quite the accomplishment. I want to be their friend."―Ridley Pearson, best-selling author of the Kingdom Keepers series
"Emily Ecton writes stories that feel like good friends--this is a timelessly fun, funny adventure."―Adam Rex, author of
About the Author
Emily Ecton is the author of seven middle grade books published under the names Emily Ecton and Emily Fairlie. She is also a former writer and producer for Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!, the Peabody Award-winning comedy news quiz on NPR. Her books have been nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award, the Massachusetts Children's Book Award, the Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award and the Sunshine State Young Reader's Award. After years of living in Chicago, she now lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with her dog, Binky. For more information, visit her online at emilyecton.com.
