Review: "Under the Egg" by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

 In "Under the Egg" by Laura Marx Fitzgerald, thirteen-year-old Theodora Tenpenny is a New Yorker living in a two-hundred-year-old townhouse with a garden, a flock of chickens, a reclusive mother and a mystery that could change her life. Her grandfather's dying words, "it's under the egg," take meaning when she discovers that the painting of an egg hanging on their mantle has another painting hidden beneath it. Give that her grandfather worked as both an artist and a security guard at a museum makes Theodora question both the painting's value and the grandfather she thought she knew.

The cast of quirky characters makes this an enjoyable read: Theodora's new friend from down-the-block, Bohdi, daughter of two famous actors, aids the unplugged Theodora with her smartphone and bold ideas while eluding the paparzzi; Eddie, the tattoo-covered, loud librarian who's mad search skills come in handy on several occasions; Cecily, the Greek Orthodox priest whose knowledge, kindness, and auction house connection helps along the way. Theodora's quest turns out to have lost of historical twists, making this a page-turner with bonus art history and fun facts. School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 4-7.

--Sarah W., Headquarters