Under Locker and Key

March 1, 2017

Gr 4-7-Meet Jeremy Wilderson, Scottsville Middle School's resident retrieval specialist. If you've had your phone confiscated by a teacher, an eighth grader stole your lunch money, or you left your math book on the bus, Jeremy's your guy. His retrieval skills are unrivaled, and he is on his way to becoming a legend. The only thing standing in his way is Becca Mills, Scottsville's student detective. When one of Jeremy's heists leads to the school master key falling into the hands of a criminal mastermind, Jeremy and Becca must team up to stop the villain before he takes over the school. Details given throughout the story keep readers guessing, while leading up to a satisfying ending. Jeremy's family and the relationship between his best friends add to the believability and relatability of the novel. Many readers will appreciate that even though Jeremy and Becca are in the youngest grade at school, they are still able to accomplish big things. With no bad language or violence, this title is perfect for those who prefer a lighter crime story. VERDICT A great pick for middle grade readers who enjoy crime capers such as Gordon Korman's Swindle and Varian Johnson's The Great Greene Heist.-Ashley Leffel, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2017
Grades 4-7 Sixth-grader Jeremy Wilderson asserts he is not a thief; he's a retrieval specialist. Students in Scottsville Middle School come to him when something has been stolen, and Jeremy retrieves and returns the item. As he gives his first-person account of his actions, readers soon hear about Becca Mills and her intent to catch Jeremy and turn him in. A bigger problem develops, however, when eighth-grader Mark tricks Jeremy into swiping the master key to all the lockers in the school. Now, getting the key back and solving the crime spree is too much for Jeremy to handle alone. Who has to become his ally? Becca Mills, of course. Hymas' first novel is an engaging read that will have tweens rooting for Jeremy and Becca as they attempt to retrieve the key and get Mark his just desserts. The characters are fully developed and believable, although their actions at times strain credibility. Readers will easily be swept up by the collision of friendships, rivalries, and bullies in the halls of this adventure-tinged middle-school story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)