Although it had a slow start, this book eventually hooked me. ( )

Jin's adopted Korean grandparents run a neighborhood bodega, Elvin's mom is battling cancer in California, and Alex's family own a high end developer company that she is in constant rebellion against. Between the diversity of the characters and the complexity of the plot -- a decades long missing art puzzle that centers on Harlem, there's a lot to enjoy in this book. It _is_ complicated, and takes a while to really take off, pacing wise, but the community activism is inspiring and the puzzle solving is solid and interesting. The kids take a lot of risks on their quest, and don't keep the adults much informed, but that's more what being a kid used to be. Independence has to happen sometime. I'm not sure what grade they are in (guessing 7th?) and I wish they treated Rose a little better, but on the whole, a solid read. ( )

This is a fun story in places, but the pacing feels off to me. Perhaps this would have been a better one to read in print than as an audiobook. ( )

Chasing Vermeer-alike [middle grades] ( )

For grades 6th-12th, this book is about how three strangers work together to find out why one of their (Elvin) grandfathers was attacked. While they are trying to figure it out, they come across masterpieces that are worth a fortune. Together they will do what they can to save their home Harlem. This is a good book to read, that teaches students how if you work together, you can make an impact on others and the community. ( )