Up for Grabs
by Michelle Mulder
Price: $14.95
Ages: 9 to 12
Publication Date: May 6, 2023
ISBN: 9781770866942
Format: Trade Paperback
Size: 5.375" x 8"
Subjects:
JUV013000 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / General
JUV003000 JUVENILE FICTION / Art
JUV028000 JUVENILE FICTION / Mysteries & Detective Stories
Synopsis:
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A mysterious painting, hidden among the relics of her late grandmother’s house, leads Frida to discover a family link to a notorious unsolved crime.
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Frida and her brother, Zac, have lived in seven countries in ten years. In fact, they’ve been travelling for so long that Frida has never considered herself from anywhere — until they inherit their grandmother’s house in Victoria, British Columbia. Zac, always looking for money-making opportunities to fund their travels, is determined to sell everything in the house and expects Frida to help. Now they’re up to their ears in family heirlooms, paintings of dead relatives, vintage paperclips, and ceramic animals.
As Frida explores the neighbourhood, she meets a childhood friend of her grandmother’s, a relentlessly friendly kid named Hazeem who has a knack for finding treasures in the many book-exchange boxes nearby, and a nosy antique dealer who takes an interest in her grandmother’s stuff. A big, sneaking-around-trying-to-break-in-to-the-house kind of interest. Is this strange neighbour looking for something specific? And will Frida and Hazeem figure it out before it’s too late?
Reviews
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“This satisfying tale winds its way through art history and neighborhood intrigue with a reflective, relatable protagonist at its core …. A subtle page-turner that captures the youthful search for a tangible concept of home.”
— Kirkus Reviews
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“Michelle Mulder has a delightful writing style with a humorous voice, immediately letting you get to know Frida’s personality. The humor sets up a lighthearted tone while also striking balance in the story which focuses on the concept of family .… A great foray into a mystery for children, Up for Grabs blends a lighthearted tone and charming humor with family history, loss, and the concept of home.”
— Liz Konkel, Readers’ Favorite
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“Michelle Mulder has written a fun and very compelling story that young readers will relate to on many levels. It is filled with mystery and excitement and showcases problems kids of Frida’s age face with fractured families, an all-too-common occurrence. The writing is excellent and the dialogue is snappy and true to the ages of the characters. It’s nice to see a good, platonic friendship between a boy and girl this age. Don’t miss this sweet story.”
— Rosi Hollinbeck, Seattle Book Review
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