Gr 4-7 Twelve-year-old March McQuinn has lived a life that many kids can only dream aboutworld travel, no school, and exciting hijinksbut it comes at a cost. He has always felt as though something, or someone, was missing from his life. So when his father, the notorious jewel thief Alfie McQuinn, falls to his death during a burglary, March is left completely alone. That is, until he is reunited with his long-lost twin sister Jules, who has been traveling with their aunt's street performance group. Following a quick stint in a group home and armed only with street smarts and Alfie's clues, the twins and their friends set out to finish Alfie's last heist before Alfie's rivals do. With well-developed supporting characters and two likable protagonists, Watson has delivered an exciting, clever middle-grade mystery. Although her treatment of death and abandonment sometimes feel a bit too lighthearted, it is in keeping with the fanciful feel of the rest of the story. Throughout, the characters develop organically, and Watson doesn't shy away from real-world consequences. This helps give the book a real sense of urgency during each of the movie-quality action scenes, which makes it a perfect fit for fans of Stuart Gibbs's Belly Up (S. &; S., 2011) or Gordon Korman's Swindle (Scholastic, 2009).— Amanda Augsburger, Moline Public Library, IL

Jude Watson, author of four books in the 39 Clues series, has crafted another highly enjoyable suspense thriller, perfect for middle-grade readers. March McQuin lives a peripatetic life as the son of a skillful cat burglar. One night, his father falls from a rooftop after a burglary and March witnesses his death. His father's last words are, "Find jewels." But March soon discovers that his father was not talking about gems, but giving him the name of his twin sister, Julesa sister that March never knew existed. Although they are both picked up and sent to an orphanage, the twins escape with the help of some fellow inmates, and are soon bent on a scheme to steal a set of moonstones that are connected to the reason for their separation. The trouble is, the moonstones are cursed and the curse may lead to March and Jules losing their lives.A highly suspenseful plot drives this enjoyable and thrilling adventure that is sure to please middle-grade readers. Short chapters keep the action moving along quickly and the story is full of fascinating twists and turns. Although the plot is paramount, Watson does not neglect fleshing out the main characters of Jules and March, particularly in relation to how they feel about the disturbing revelation that they were deliberately kept apart by their father. Recommend this one to fans of the 39 Clues series or Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer (Scholastic, 2004/VOYA December 2004).Jan Chapman.

Jewel theft has never been as fun as in 39 Clues contributor Watson-s action-packed novel featuring Mission: Impossible-style escapades from two young cat

The separated twin children of a famous jewel thief are thrown together after his death. Following their father's mysterious clues, Jules and March devise a heist of their own, and along the way they build a relationship and learn to trust each other. Interesting secondary characters help develop the tension, and the action and intrigue are sure to please fans of thrillers.

When master jewel thief Alfie McQuinn dies, his stashed set of clues and cryptic last words to March, his 12-year-old son and apprentice, mark the beginning of a race against time. The first clue leads March to discover his twin sister, Jules, a traveling circus acrobat. Tossed into a group home, they meet Darius, a juvenile delinquent with a soft spot for Izzy, a code-cracking hacker. The four join forces, busting out of the home and into a series of high-stakes heists to reclaim seven cursed moonstone gems once stolen by Alfie. The reward promised is a sizzling seven million bucks, enough to set them up with the home Alfie never lived to realize. The problem? There's a curse on the twins, prophesied to culminate before their thirteenth birthday next week. Sassy narration, smart quips, pigeon drops, and slang worthy of an episode of Dragnet make this fast-paced tale of topsy-turvy antics a joy from beginning to end. Don't try these high jinks at home, but give this book to anyone who loved the 39 Clues series.