Under the Egg
by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
Publication Date: February 25, 2014, 247 pages
When Theodora Tenpenny spills a bottle of rubbing alcohol on her late grandfather’s painting, she discovers what seems to be an old Renaissance masterpiece underneath. That’s great news for Theo, who’s struggling to hang onto her family’s two-hundred-year-old townhouse and support her unstable mother on her grandfather’s legacy of $463. There’s just one problem: Theo’s grandfather was a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and she worries the painting may be stolen.
With the help of some unusual new friends, Theo's search for answers takes her all around Manhattan, and introduces her to a side of the city—and her grandfather—that she never knew. To solve the mystery, she'll have to abandon her hard-won self-reliance and build a community, one serendipitous friendship at a time.
-Goodreads.com description
As soon as I saw the description of this novel comparing it to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler I was cautiously optimistic. Why cautious? Well because I had such high expectations. E.L. Konigsburg's classic is one of my all time favorite stories from my childhood. In fact, it is still one of my top recommendations for middle school kids looking for a good mystery. Under the Egg will now be recommended right alongside it. Clocking in at just under 250 pages, Under the Egg is a quick, fun read however it is also deep and informative. The novel centers around the mystery, bringing in a little bit of a history and art lesson along with it. Fitzgerald cleverly weaves historical details into the plot adding to the complexity of the mystery. The main character Theodora is self-sufficient and strong, which I respect her for, however there is also a level of vulnerability to Theo that develops as the novel progresses. A great cast of supporting characters including helpful neighbors, Theo's spunky new friend and fellow detective Bodhi, and a reference librarian who is just as intrigued by the mystery as our young detectives. The issue of poverty is delicately handled with honesty and also a level of optimism and resourcefulness. The combination of Theo's old school detection habits and Bodhi's tech skills serves to illustrate the importance that history plays in our lives while also emphasizing the usefulness of new technology for exploring the past, a theme the author portrays in various ways throughout the novel. This book is perfect for middle school mystery and history fans however it will also appeal to a wider audience.
For other books similar in nature to Under the Egg, I suggest Charming Vermeer by ? and of course the classic From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
