Under the Egg

Theodora Tenpenny lives a life many thirteen-year-olds would envy. Well, except for that grandfather-dying-right-in-front-of-her thing. But he has a message for her as he lays dying in the streets of New York City. He tells her to look under the egg for a letter and a treasure, before it is too late. That’s it. Pretty cryptic. It isn’t as if Theo has nothing else to do. Her mother doesn’t seem to have a grasp on how difficult their situation is. Mom spends her days working on her manuscript and drinking incredibly expensive tea from the very expensive shop next door, even though there is little money left. Theo finds a painting under a painting in her grandfather’s studio, and here begins a quest to discover what the painting is, who it really belongs to, and can it save Theo’s home. Along the way, Theo finds a best friend (something she’s never had before), answers about her mysterious grandfather, and help finding answers.

Laura Marx Fitzgerald has written a spectacular Tween book, but the characters, writing, and story are great and should grab the attention of many readers beyond the Tween group.