The Ambrose Deception

by Emily Ecton, Gilbert Ford (Illustrator)

Overview

Melissa is a nobody. Wilf is a slacker. Bondi is a show-off. At least that's what their middle school teachers think. To everyone's surprise, they are the three students chosen to compete for a ten thousand-dollar scholarship, solving clues that lead them to various locations around Chicago. At first the three contestants work independently, but it doesn't take long before each begins to wonder whether the competition is a sham. It's only by secretly joining forces and using their unique talents that the trio is able to uncover the truth behind the Ambrose Deception—a truth that involves a lot more than just a scholarship.


With a narrative style as varied and intriguing as the mystery itself, this adventure involving clever clues, plenty of perks, and abhorrent adults is pure wish fulfillment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781484788387
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	02/13/2018
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Emily Ecton is the author of seven middle grade books published underthe names Emily Ecton and Emily Fairlie. She is also a former writer andproducer for Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!, the Peabody Award-winningcomedy news quiz on NPR. Her books have been nominated for the Texas BluebonnetAward, the Massachusetts Children's Book Award, the Pennsylvania Young Rader'sChoice Award and the Sunshine State Young Reader's Award. After years of livingin Chicago, she now lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with her dog, Binky. Formore information, visit her online at emilyecton.com.

Editorial Reviews

02/01/2018
Gr 5–8—Melissa, Wilf, and Bondi—an enterprising money-maker, a slacker, and a smooth talker, respectively—are unlikely recipients of a mysterious scholarship offer, but that doesn't stop them from trying to win it anyway. They're given a driver, a cell phone, a debit card, a camera, and three clues, with the instruction that they are to tell no one what they're doing. The first kid to answer all three clues correctly wins a $10,000 scholarship. But as the chase progresses, the kids soon see that things aren't adding up. This realization forces them to work together, prove that they aren't slackers or criminals, and win a prize bigger than anything they've ever dreamed. This fast-paced story set in Chicago takes readers on a scavenger hunt to some of the city's most famous landmarks, with interesting trivia and history to accompany them. Ecton creates an eclectic and vivid cast of characters from varied backgrounds, lending authenticity to this Chicago-set tale. The addition of text messages, emails, and written notes provides a fun interlude between chapters. VERDICT An appealing adventure story likely to be in high demand. A must-buy for all libraries serving middle graders, especially those in the Chicago area.—Jessica Holland, Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington

School Library Journal

2017-11-13
A mysterious scholarship contest launches this middle-grade mystery.The action begins when three Chicago middle schoolers—Bondi Johnson, a black boy; Wilf Samson, a white boy; and Melissa Burris, a white girl—are selected to compete in the Kaplin/Baron scholarship contest. No one at the three students' schools has heard of this scholarship, and even stranger, none of these students is known for exemplary academics. In fact, they are better known for scheming, daydreaming, and schmoozing. The scholarship rules appear straightforward: untangle the clues, provide a photo of each, and win $10,000. With these guidelines, a provided cellphone, a personal driver, and a no-strings-attached debit card, each student is ready to tackle the task. Bondi attacks his clues with diligence; Melissa, though suspicious, enjoys the chase; Wilf would rather cross items off his bucket list than solve the riddles. When the hunt for clues draws to an end, Bondi, Melissa, and Wilf discover there is another mystery surrounding this scholarship and the money, leading them to band together to unravel the remaining clues and unearth the truth before the $10,000 slips out of their hands. In the tradition of The Westing Game or Chasing Vermeer, this is a plot-driven brainteaser centered on Chicago landmarks and Chicago history. The twists and turns are well-paced and believable, and transcripts of texts, emails, and letters within the chapters add dimension to the strong cast of secondary characters.A lighthearted mystery starring seriously smart kids. (Mystery. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

"In the tradition of The Westing Game or Chasing Vermeer, this is a plot-driven brainteaser centered on Chicago landmarks and Chicago history. . . . A lighthearted mystery starring seriously smart kids."—Kirkus Reviews

"The story made me grin, and the clues—truly solvable clues!—had me searching my memory for what I knew of Chicago for answers. Then, be prepared for twists. You'll think, 'Yeah, what is going on with all the secrecy? Is something up?' Indeed, it is!"—Amy Timberlake, author of a Newbery Honor Book

"Ambrose Deception thrusts the reader into a story that satisfies and complicates and then twists at just the right moment. Emily Ecton delivers a readable maze of a novel that middle grade readers will adore and not stop talking about! These characters are quite the accomplishment. I want to be their friend."—Ridley Pearson, best-selling author of the Kingdom Keepers series

"Emily Ecton writes stories that feel like good friends—this is a timelessly fun, funny adventure."—Adam Rex, author of The True Meaning of Smekday

A Junior Library Guild Selection

From the Publisher