The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
From the critically acclaimed author of A Tangle of Knots comes a humorous story full of heart, courage and a touch of magic.
Bernetta’s summer couldn’t be going any worse.First her ex-best friend frames her for starting a cheating ring in their private school that causes Bernetta to lose her scholarship for 7th grade. Even worse, Bernetta’s parents don’t believe she’s innocent, and forbid her from performing at her father’s magic club. Now Bernetta must take immediate action if she hopes to raise $9,000 for tuition. But that’s a near impossible task with only three months until school. Enter Gabe, a boy con-artist who’s willing to team up with Bernetta to raise the money. But only if she’s willing to use her talent for magic to scheme her way to success.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bernetta loves being her father's assistant during his magic act and performing a few tricks of her own, but she never imagines that her sleight-of-hand skills will turn her into a 12-year-old con artist. But after her so-called best friend frames her as the mastermind behind a cheating ring and Bernetta loses her private-school scholarship, Bernetta lets cute boy Gabe talk her into going into the "confidence business" with him over the summer how else can she amass the small fortune she needs to pay her tuition? The sneaky scams the two pull off will enthrall readers (in direct proportion to their ability to disturb parents, especially as the stunts require at least as much thievery as cleverness). The author describes a few of Bernetta's father's magic tricks and explains some of Gabe's people-reading techniques, adding to the book's fun quotient. The story builds well as the likable and increasingly desperate Bernetta gets drawn into a wild scheme, looking for a big payout and revenge. Graff (The Thing About Georgie) asks readers to take some leaps of faith with the plotting, but she rewards them with a strong voice. Bernetta's eventual realization "There were a million alternate Bernettas she could become, and she wasn't going to get roped into becoming one she didn't like" reads as hard-won and insightful. Ages 8-12.
