Under Locker and Key (MAX)

by Allison K Hymas (Author)

Under Locker and Key (MAX)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Max
Eleven-year-old Jeremy Wilderson teams up with his rival crime fighter to stop the stealing spree that's wreaking havoc on Scottsville Middle School in this action-packed MAX novel.

Jeremy Wilderson is not a thief. In fact, he is his middle school's one and only retrieval specialist. Confiscated cell phones, stolen lunch money--he'll discretely retrieve it before the last bell rings. Business is good, and if it weren't for the meddling of preteen private investigator Becca Mills, he'd be happier than a gym teacher on dodgeball day.

But a new job shatters his comfortable lifestyle. Now, thanks to Jeremy, the master key to the schools' lockers is in the hands of an aspiring crime kingpin who doesn't exactly have Jeremy's strong moral character. Soon not even combination locks can protect the students' textbooks and jackets. Retrieving the key is too big a job for one crime fighter, and only one person wants the key returned as much as Jeremy does: Becca Mills.

Lockers are being robbed, the teachers are looking for the culprit, and the only person Jeremy can turn to is the girl who most wants to see him in the principal's office. Will Jeremy be able to trust Becca enough to get the key back in the right hands? Or could he end up in detention until the end of high school instead?
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Kirkus Reviews

Entertaining caper fiction. Jeremy's genuine and at-times charmingly jokey voice will engage fans of Gordon Korman's Swindle series.

School Library Journal

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.

Review quotes

 
Allison K Hymas
Allison K. Hymas was born on the anniversary of the day Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly nonstop and solo across the Atlantic. She was born in Utah and raised in Virginia and Pennsylvania, where she enjoyed spending time in the mountains and forests. She currently lives in Springville, UT, where she teaches writing, visits national parks, and runs very long distances for fun. Her books include Under Locker and Key, Arts and Thefts, and The Explorer's Code.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781481463430
Lexile Measure
630
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Aladdin Paperbacks
Publication date
April 20, 2017
Series
Max
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV067000 - Juvenile Fiction | Thrillers & Suspense
Library of Congress categories
Schools
Theft
Stealing
Mystery and detective stories
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship
Detective and mystery fiction
JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / Gener
Middle schools
Middle school students

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