About This Book
Kirkus Best Book "An unforgettable adventure with a deeply endearing, slightly chaotic heroine." —Kyle Lukoff, author of Newbery Honor book Too Bright to See
"All the suspense and intrigue of a middle-school Da Vinci Code. Fast-paced fun and plenty of charm to boot." —Christopher Healy, author of No One Leaves the Castle
"Thrilling." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Surprises aplenty, real danger, and lots of laughs." —Booklist (starred review)
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler meets Indiana Jones! A young adventurer races to break the family curse by repatriating the artifacts her famed ancestor "saved." Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Kwame Mbalia, and Rena Barron.
Cincinnati Lee's great great (great?) grandfather is famous. His adventures discovering ancient artifacts have been made into movies, and his work is widely respected by museums across the world. The thing is, in that line of work, you're bound to get cursed. And that leaves your great great (great?) granddaughter to break the curse by returning the artifacts you "preserved."
Cincinnati's own adventure begins in the Cosmopolitan Museum in New York City, where her single mom works and Cincinnati has grown up. Soon she learns about the ancient Spear of Destiny—and its potential to right all the wrongs in her family's past. Or bring about the end of the world. It all depends on whose hands it falls into. Cincinnati must beat two relic hunters to the spear, and her quest will take her to surprising locations throughout the city and even across the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, she'll make a new friend (which is not the easiest thing to do), make some enemies (surprisingly easy to do), and ultimately learn what makes the world worth saving. Acclaimed author Heidi Heilig makes a dazzling middle grade debut with an irrepressible hero, a compelling cast of friends and enemies, nonstop action, and a thoughtful approach to viewing our responsibilities to each other and the world around us.
What does it take to right the wrongs of the past when you're only twelve?
A Thrilling Museum Adventure: Twelve-year-old Cincinnati Lee grew up in the Cosmopolitan Museum, but she never expected to be stealing artifacts from its exhibits to save her family.An Ancient Family Curse: Her famous archaeologist ancestor left behind more than a legacy—he left a curse that only Cincinnati can break by repatriating hundreds of items.Globetrotting Quest: From the secret passages of New York City to the historic streets of Paris, this race against rival relic hunters spans continents.Legendary Artifacts: At the center of the hunt is the legendary Spear of Destiny, a powerful relic that could right her family's wrongs... or bring about the end of the world.Found Family: With the help of a brilliant forger and a surprising new friend, Cincinnati learns she doesn't have to face down a centuries-old curse alone.
