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Under the Egg Paperback – International Edition, May 26, 2015

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 383 ratings

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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler meets Chasing Vermeer in this clever middle grade debut

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.

“Uniquely readable, entirely charming, and a pleasure from start to finish. Debuts this good are meant to be discovered.” —SLJ Fuse 8 Blog

“Riveting from start to finish.” —
BookPage 
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Under the Egg 

An Indie Next List Pick!

"It's really a very compelling read and I don't know how she did it." – Kate DiCamillo on NPR

“With surprising twists, heartwarming moments and historical facts, Laura Marx Fitzgerald creates the perfect adventure in 
Under the Egg. Art enthusiast or not, any girl will love this book.” – GirlsLife.com

* "Along with the themes of research, family commitment, and Holocaust history, fans of Koningsburg’s
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Balliett’s Chasing Vermeer will thrill at the chance to solve a new mystery centered around art." - Library Media Connection, starred review

"Uniquely readable, entirely charming, and a pleasure from start to finish. Debuts this good are meant to be discovered." – Betsy Bird, SLJ Fuse 8 Blog

"A fast-paced mystery...If Dan Brown of
The Da Vinci Code wrote middle-grade novels, this would be the one." - Kirkus Reviews

"Fans of
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler will find this another delightful lesson in art history." - Publishers Weekly

"Fans of Blue Balliett’s
Chasing Vermeer and Elise Broach’s Masterpiece will enjoy this art caper." - School Library Journal

"A gripping mystery with high stakes and moving historical context...[Fitzgerald's] focus on restitution and the personal value of art adds considerable depth to the narrative." -
The Horn Book

"Under the Egg” is an exciting page-turner." - 
Deseret News

"Riveting from start to finish." - 
BookPage

“This mix of mystery, history and art will keep readers wondering right up to the surprising end.” –
Discovery Girls 
 

About the Author

In writing Under the Egg, Laura Marx Fitzgerald drew on her study of art history at Harvard and Cambridge Universities. She lives in Brooklyn, and this is her middle grade debut.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rocky Pond Books; Reprint edition (May 26, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0142427659
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0142427651
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 790L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.68 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 383 ratings

About the author

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Laura Marx Fitzgerald
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In writing Under the Egg, Laura Marx Fitzgerald drew on her study of art history at Harvard and Cambridge Universities. She lives in Brooklyn, and Under the Egg is her middle grade debut.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
383 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They find the story interesting and educational, especially for middle school students. The characters are well-developed and strong, with positive adult role models. The pacing is fast, and the art content is vivid. Customers appreciate the thought-provoking historical introduction and memorable characters.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

43 customers mention "Readability"43 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging and suitable for reluctant readers, as it gets right into the action of the story. Many readers enjoyed reading it themselves and with their children. The writing is easy for them to understand and relate to, and they shared a love of NYC and its diverse people.

"...about art history that I knew nothing about, and it was certainly worth the time I spent reading it to walk away with a great storyline, memorable..." Read more

"...A great book." Read more

"...It's also completely unnecessary to the story. The writer did a good job of writing and engaging mystery...." Read more

"...It is a very satisfying read, especially for anyone who is at all interested in art history, museums, libraries, the Renaissance, the Holocaust, or..." Read more

43 customers mention "Story quality"40 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the story and plot. They find it engaging, relatable, and suitable for middle school students. The book teaches them about art history on the sly.

"...Meanwhile, I managed to learn a lot about art history that I knew nothing about, and it was certainly worth the time I spent reading it to walk away..." Read more

"...It has a fast paced central mystery and presents a side to the Holocaust that doesn't get the attention it should in the middle school classroom...." Read more

"...The writer did a good job of writing and engaging mystery...." Read more

"...It it also surprisingly educational on the sly, because it gives kids an idea of how one can use librarians and books as resources...." Read more

13 customers mention "Age range"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suitable for middle school students and homeschooled kids. They enjoy the mystery and suspense story. The book is described as mature and enjoyable by readers.

"...The kids in this book are mature and street smart, not just book smart, and are the type of good people you would hope your own kids would be..." Read more

"...Her choice in description is probably fine for older middle school, but not elementary...." Read more

"...Strongly recommend for homeschooled kids, too (since one of the character is an unschooled girl)." Read more

"...Theodora, due to her unprivileged life circumstances, is self-reliant, mature and more likeable than Mixed Up File’s heroine Claudia, who I felt was..." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's characters. They find the female characters strong and the main characters to be young girls. The book provides positive adult role models and a brave girl character.

"...Lovely book, lovely characters. Very different from what I remember reading when I was the age of the intended audience...." Read more

"...But there are also many positive adult role models. I was very happy to see the inclusion of a female Episcopal priest...." Read more

"...It's a good story with interesting characters, great connections to other areas (art, history, family relationships), and a satisfying ending...." Read more

"...It is a great story that is full of great characters and a amazing plot" Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing fast and engaging. They say it gets right into the action and doesn't stall out. The storyline is suspenseful and enlightening, making it a quick read.

"...certainly worth the time I spent reading it to walk away with a great storyline, memorable and strong characters, and beautifully worded descriptions..." Read more

"...It has a fast paced central mystery and presents a side to the Holocaust that doesn't get the attention it should in the middle school classroom...." Read more

"...which technically is better written, better plotted and better paced...." Read more

"...Especially good for reluctant readers, as it gets right into the action of the story and doesn't stall out at any point." Read more

4 customers mention "Art content"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the art content in the book. They appreciate the vivid imagery and real-life characters. The art connection and Renaissance art interest readers.

"...It made my daughter very interested in Renaissance art, technologies to authenticate art, and WWII history of the Jews...." Read more

"...I loved it! I appreciated the art connection, the look at big city life, and the story of an independent, quirky, and creative girl, making her way..." Read more

"Couldn't put it down. Recommend for all readers. Vivid imagery, real feeling characters, beautifully written, full of the joy of discovery on many..." Read more

"...I liked the mystery and the history in this book. The artwork sounds intriguing." Read more

4 customers mention "Thought provoking"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and engaging. They appreciate the thoughtful and smart writing style, memorable characters, and creative plotline.

"...the time I spent reading it to walk away with a great storyline, memorable and strong characters, and beautifully worded descriptions...." Read more

"...I was so pleased with this book. It was thoughtful and smart...." Read more

"...at big city life, and the story of an independent, quirky, and creative girl, making her way through a difficult situation." Read more

"...WWII history is discussed and is thought provoking. One of the 5 best books I've read in 2014! Thank you." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2014
    I was considering getting this book for friends' children and wanted to read it first. Loved it! I had to re-read the first few pages a couple of times to make sure I understood, but after that, I was sucked into the book. Lovely book, lovely characters. Very different from what I remember reading when I was the age of the intended audience. The kids in this book are mature and street smart, not just book smart, and are the type of good people you would hope your own kids would be friends with. I had read a couple of reviews that suggested that there was too much dependence on adults to get to the end, but I didn't find that to be the case unless you live in a world like Peanuts where no adults ever seem to be present. More of a sign that the girls did as much as they possibly could on their own, knew who and where to go to for help, and did seek out help, just like any person, child or adult, would and should do. They also did their share of helping adults along the way. Fitzgerald's book is straight talk to her audience but also age appropriate. I think that kids will appreciate the way that several "grown up" topics are presented and not babied but addressed straightforward for what they are and were. Fitzgerald is saying to her audience, you are old enough to thoughtfully consider these issues and form your own judgments. Meanwhile, I managed to learn a lot about art history that I knew nothing about, and it was certainly worth the time I spent reading it to walk away with a great storyline, memorable and strong characters, and beautifully worded descriptions. A pleasure to read and I highly recommend. I am back to buy additional copies now for friends.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2014
    It's been a long time since I've sat down and read a book in one day. I was so pleased with this book. It was thoughtful and smart. I taught 8th grade Language Arts for fourteen years and it was always difficult to find novels for that age group that had an age appropriate story line and tone, but also a vocabulary that was challenging and not at all dumbed down. Under the Egg is just about perfect. Yes the ending might be too neat and tidy, but it was also a satisfying surprise. And yes there are loose ends never addressed. I was left still worrying for Theo's mother. But there are also many positive adult role models. I was very happy to see the inclusion of a female Episcopal priest. If I were still in the classroom, I would choose this for a class read. It has a fast paced central mystery and presents a side to the Holocaust that doesn't get the attention it should in the middle school classroom. A great book.
    17 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2015
    This was purchased for a 5th grade Book Club for my daughter. She and I read the book together, because I knew there was sensitive content thanks to another review, and I needed to censor that area of the book. This is from the other review, and it's spot on on page 95 - "Raphael was a very amorous person, delighting much in women.' He strung along an engagement to the niece of a powerful cardinal for seven years while he fooled around with his mistress, even refusing to finish the pope's frescoes unless she was brought to his villa for 'inspiration.' Vasari records his early death at thirty seven as due to "sexual excess"..."
    This is not age appropriate for elementary school (ages 8-12). It's also completely unnecessary to the story. The writer did a good job of writing and engaging mystery. However she touches on many older themes like mistresses, the Holocaust, war, mental illness, death, etc.... I haven't sheltered my kids by any means from life experiences, but we have handled them in age appropriate ways at the time.
    She really should have given some better background about the Holocaust and World War 2, as most elementary schools haven't by 5th grade and it is necessary to the story as it unfolds. Also, the sexual life/mistresses of Raphael could have been handled differently for younger readers. Perhaps not thrown out the information in such a blatant description. Her choice in description is probably fine for older middle school, but not elementary. Even my 19 year old son read the book and was questioning why it was necessary to add it to a kid's book and wondered why there wasn't more kid-friendly attention paid to the historical significance of the various themes (Holocaust, WW2, the various painters and works of art taken during WW II, Nazi party, etc.) that tied the story together.
    51 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2015
    My eleven-year-old loved this book so much, she made me read it and I love it also. It is a very satisfying read, especially for anyone who is at all interested in art history, museums, libraries, the Renaissance, the Holocaust, or New York City. It it also surprisingly educational on the sly, because it gives kids an idea of how one can use librarians and books as resources. But in the end, this was just a fun book with a supercapable thirteen year old protagonist who solves a mystery about a painting with the help of her ultracool best friend. This is better than the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Adults are nostalgic for that book, but times have changed and not everything in that book makes sense anymore. Even Under the Egg is already dated, as MMA museum goers don't wear those metal M pins anymore. So get your middle-schooler to read this soon. I enjoyed it so much I am going to watch the Monuments Men movie.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2024
    Arrived new and in perfect condition. This was the first book order from Amazon - would absolutely order more. Ordered as a gift. Reader enjoyed story and is now interested in reading whatever else the author has written. Overall, I’d call this purchase a win.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging read
    Reviewed in Canada on March 1, 2021
    Engaging story.
    Ending was a bit sudden but... leading up to it was interesting.
  • Elena
    3.0 out of 5 stars Idioma: Inglés Americano
    Reviewed in Spain on July 25, 2018
    La historia de la novela es muy buena. Se trata de Inglés americano, si vocabulario puede ser algo complicado para estudiantes de un nivel B1 de Inglés británico.