A book with an unfortunate cover is a hard one to sell to kids. A book with an unfortunate cover and terrible title is nearly impossible and this is such a shame because Under the Egg is a great middle grade mystery. Full of quirky characters and short, interesting lessons in art history this is a story much like Chasing Vermeer. I love a story that offers clues like breadcrumbs, inviting the reader to follow along. Highly recommended for grades 5 and up. Makes the connection to nonfiction Monument Men. We read "Under the Egg" by Laura Marx Fitzgerald for my Chapter and Verse Book Club as a potential award winner for 2014. Appropriate for upper elementary through early high school, this is a "smart" art mystery - Dan Brown for the young teen set.As he was dying, Theodora Tenpenny's grandfather Jack told her to, "Look under the egg...there's a letter...and a treasure." And the mystery is on. Egg? What egg? Where? What is hidden there? Will it help Theo and her mother survive? After the death of her grandfather, Theo is responsible for taking care of the family home, her mentally ill mother, the garden, and the cooking - all on the few hundred dollars her grandfather has left for them. They are quite literally starving, and Theo is hoping that solving the mystery will save them. Very precocious, Theo has no friends - that is until she meets Bodhi, the daughter of movie stars, Jessica Blake and Jake Ford. Because Theo has no phone and is not technologically savvy, she has no idea who Bodhi and her parents are. This proves to be good for their relationship. Bodhi, precocious and brilliant in her own right, sets out to help Theo solve the mystery.The protagonists are well-developed, believable, and quirky. The same holds true for the more minor characters. Though somewhat stereotypical, I loved them all nonetheless - from Mr. Katsanakis (the cantankerous but kind owner of the New City Diner), to Eddie (the cool librarian), to Ann-Marie Dumont (the cranky neighbor with a secret). It was refreshing to see the good adults who become the village that raise a child.I gave the book three stars because I think the audience for the book is somewhat limited. There is lots of smart vocabulary here, and sophisticated plot elements involving the art world, World War II, research, chemistry and math - some of which I thought was confusing at times. The plot builds steadily (maybe even slowly at times) to a resolution. And when that resolution comes, it comes too fast and too easily - there are some pretty big coincidences, especially involving the closet, that are hard to swallow. Nevertheless, for the right kid, this mystery will be a winner!Recommended.
What do You think about Under ägget (2014)?
It's like a roller coaster ride. Slow to start, quick drop with some twists, and an abrupt ending.
—Flence
Fun and witty. The WWII info. is great for middle grade readers. A good mystery.
—Doglover095
