The Frame-Up

by Wendy McLeod Macknight (Author) Ian Schoenherr (Illustrator)

The Frame-Up
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

When Sargent Singer discovers that the paintings in his father's gallery are alive, he's pulled into a captivating world behind the frame he never knew existed. Filled with devious plots, shady characters, and a grand art heist, this inventive mystery-adventure celebrates art and artists and is perfect for fans of Night at the Museum and Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer.

There's one important rule at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery--don't let anyone know the paintings are alive. Mona Dunn, forever frozen at thirteen when her portrait was painted by William Orpen, has just broken that rule.

Luckily twelve-year-old Sargent Singer, an aspiring artist himself, is more interested in learning about the vast and intriguing world behind the frame than he is in sharing her secret. And when Mona and Sargent suspect shady dealings are happening behind the scenes at the gallery, they set out to uncover the culprit. They must find a way to save the gallery--and each other--before they are lost forever.

With an imaginative setting, lots of intrigue, and a thoroughly engaging cast of characters, The Frame-Up will captivate readers of Jacqueline West's The Books of Elsewhere series.

Select format:
Paperback
$7.99

ALA/Booklist

Starred Review
The mystery plot will keep readers guessing until near the end, but they will find other parts of the story even more involving...While Sargent and Mona are vividly portrayed, this chapter book's most memorable element is also its most unusual: the imaginative conviction that art is alive.

Kirkus

A girl in a painting and a boy visiting the gallery she hangs in foil art thieves. ...MacKnight entices with art critique and technique. ...For anyone who's wondered about the people inside the frames.

School Library Journal

Readers will delight in the canvas world that exists on the other side of the frame...Not just for art enthusiasts, this middle grade read paints fantasy, humor, and mystery into a satisfying tale about the power of friendship.

Review quotes

"[A] delicious tale...[a] clever, satisfying story for art-loving readers ages 11-14." — Wall Street Journal

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780062668318
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Greenwillow Books
Publication date
June 11, 2019
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV003000 - Juvenile Fiction | Art & Architecture
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
Library of Congress categories
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