Johnson, Varian. To Catch a Cheat.

Johnson, Varian.  To Catch a Cheat.  Scholastic Press 2016  241p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-545-72239-1  ms  Realistic fiction  VG-BN   

Jackson Greene is at it again.  After swearing off any more con games, he has disbanded his crew of fellow middle-school con artists and gotten together with Gaby de la Cruz. Unfortunately for Jackson, he and his friends are being blackmailed. They must steal the brutal end-of-term American history final or a doctored security video showing them flooding the school bathrooms will be released to the principal. It will take a fair bit of cunning and ingenuity to defeat the real perpetrators, but Jackson and his crew are up for it. This engaging and suspenseful mystery is filled with excellent characterizations and a well-paced plot. The lively prose, complete with creative plot twists, wit, and drama, provides a wonderful continuation of the first book but can also stand alone for a fun read.  

Summary: Jackson Greene is at it again. After swearing off any more con games, he has disbanded his crew of fellow middle-school con artists, but he is being blackmailed into stealing the brutal end-of-term American history final or a doctored security video showing them flooding the school bathrooms will be released to the principal.

Schools-Fiction, Cheating-Fiction               --Susan Ogintz

Salane, Jeffrey. Lawless.

Salane, Jeffrey.  Lawless.  Scholastic Press  2013  277p  ISBN 978-0-545-45029-4  ms  Hardback VG-BN   Adventure

All her home schooling experiences have in some ways prepared M for her introduction to the prestigious and mysterious Lawless School, which her father attended, but in other ways they did not prepare her at all.  Her piano lessons have produced fingers nimble enough to pick locks, she is a whiz at spotting a forgery, and her physical agility comes in handy in escapes.  She slowly discovers that all the lessons at this school prepare the students to be leaders in the criminal world.  M excels, but always in unorthodox ways.  From entering the first assembly through the air ducts, through some unplanned lessons, M’s expertise wins her both friends and enemies.  Sometimes she cannot tell which is which.  Her life may depend on her ability to do so.

This novel is well written and features thoroughly enjoyable nonstop action.  The reader is constantly surprised by the twists and turns the plot takes.  Middle-school students, both boys and girls, will enjoy it.  The whole concept of teaching students to be criminals will pique the interest of readers.      It is highly recommended for middle-school students who want an action-packed read.  

Summary: M Freeman has been home-schooled until she applies to the Lawless School, which is not what she expected.  They train criminal masterminds.  M excels at her lessons, but in unorthodox ways.  Fun read for middle school.

Schools-Fiction, Crime-Fiction                                    --Joan Theal