{"product_id":"swindled-isbn-9780823464661","title":"Swindled","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eClue \u003c\/i\u003emeets\u003ci\u003e Knives Out\u003c\/i\u003e for the younger set in this twisty-turny middle grade mystery-comedy with dry humor, impeccable plotting, and fun interactive bonus content.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEleven-year-old orphan Nico Lombardi has been unfairly indentured at a remote mountain inn for five years now. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJust as he gathers the courage to escape, the inn gets booked by the remaining members of a “tontine,” an investment scheme where a cash prize is awarded to whomever lives the longest. In other words, every guest wants access to the fortune. Preferably as soon as possible.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDuring their stay, a chaotic race to control the fate of the tontine takes over the normally sleepy inn. Nico watches in horror as a series of comically disastrous events unfolds—some of which might aid his escape, and some of which might get him in big trouble. Before he can even put the right clues together, three unexpected revelations change the course of everyone’s future!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArch humor and an incredible cast of strange and calculating characters keep the pages turning in this Wes Anderson-esque mystery filled with funny mishaps and misunderstandings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith illustrations, a hotel map, character dossiers, a personality quiz, and a test to see how YOU would fare in a tontine caper, this read is perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eEscape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eThe 39 Clues \u003c\/i\u003eseries.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection\u003c\/b\u003eCharming, droll, and widely appealing.\u003cbr\u003e—Kirkus Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSalerni creates a feisty puzzle mystery with a hearty dollop of humor in this intriguing novel. . .  Humorous cartoonlike spot drawings illuminate the characters and inclinations of the inn residents. A well-constructed adventure sure to amuse and entertain readers.\u003cbr\u003e—The Horn Book\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA comedic murder mystery.\u003cbr\u003e—Publishers Weekly\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith fast-paced chapters, character illustrations, and intriguing mysteries to unwind and unlock, the Tontine Caper brings Salerni’s unique voice, lilting prose, and curiosity to this historical mystery, which feels like it could be set just off the trail of the modern day Poconos.\u003cbr\u003e—BooklistDianne K. Salerni has written many books for children and young adults, including \u003ci\u003eThe Carrefour Curse\u003c\/i\u003e, which received three starred reviews and was a \u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e Best Book of the Year, and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selections \u003ci\u003eEleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts\u003c\/i\u003e and\u003ci\u003e Jadie in Five Dimensions. \u003c\/i\u003eShe attended the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania before teaching fourth and fifth grades for many years. Now Dianne spends her time hanging around creepy cemeteries, climbing 2,000-year-old pyramids for book research, and volunteering at her local rescue animal shelter. She lives in Pennsylvania with her family. Visit her at www.diannesalerni.com.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMatt Schu is an artist and children’s book illustrator from Portland, Oregon. He is the illustrator of the picture books \u003ci\u003eCut!\u003c\/i\u003e, written by CE Winters, which received a starred review from \u003ci\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eMy Cat Does Ballet\u003c\/i\u003e, written by Robert Heidbreder, which was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, as well as the Cosmic Collisions books by Dr. Marc Kuchner. Thanks to growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he draws a lot of trees, houses, and cloudy skies. Visit him at www.matt-schu.com.","brand":"Holiday House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48532193476837,"sku":"NP9780823464661","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/swindled-isbn-9780823464661","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}