Masterpiece

Marvin lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pompadays' apartment. He is very much a beetle. James Pompaday lives with his family in New York City. He is very much an 11-year-old boy. 

After James gets a pen-and-ink set for his birthday, Marvin surprises him by creating an elaborate miniature drawing. James gets all the credit for the picture and before these unlikely friends know it they are caught up in a staged art heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that could help recover a famous drawing by Albrecht Dürer. But James can't go through with the plan without Marvin's help. And that's where things get really complicated (and interesting!). This fast-paced mystery will have young readers on the edge of their seats as they root for boy and beetle. 

In Shakespeare's Secret, Elise Broach showed her keen ability to weave storytelling with history and suspense, and Masterpiece is yet another example of her talent. This time around it's an irresistible miniature world, fascinating art history, all wrapped up in a special friendship - something for everyone to enjoy.

©2008 Elise Broach (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Great for whole family

a small beetle, Marvin, stops a art heist & become friends with a boy too! Elise Broach, author creates story that is down to earth & makes you think the beetle, Marvin is a real person. love the friendship that develops between the main characters, a boy & beetle.

Bokk istn't baed buut int's sooe goud

I love this book it has good story but I hate it at the same because I love it the book is a memem

Great book

My 8 year old son truly enjoyed this book. It kept his interest and he was captivated.

immersion experience

it was a very detailed book that really takes you into the way the characters are feeling. I was surprised I could care so much about a bug.

How do you describe it?

I had no dislikes. It was absolutely phenomenal. The plot was overwhelmingly great it could’ve had a little more with the hunt for the photo. I mean the pictures.