Framed

Griffin Bing faces trouble at his middle school when his new principal implements strict rules and shows clear dislike for him. When a Super Bowl ring disappears from the school's display case and Griffin's retainer is found in its place, he becomes the prime suspect. After being sent to a juvenile detention facility, Griffin works to clear his name by investigating several potential suspects who could have framed him. His friends help him devise plans to uncover the truth, including setting up a sting operation and infiltrating a suspect's house. The plot centers on themes of friendship, justice, and standing up against false accusations. This middle-grade mystery combines elements of school drama with detective work as Griffin attempts to solve the case and restore his reputation.

Readers note this is one of Korman's lighter and more humorous books, with many calling it a fun mystery that keeps kids guessing. Parents report their 8-12 year olds finish it quickly and ask for more books in the series. Liked: - Fast-paced plot with surprising twists - Relatable middle school characters and dynamics - Mix of comedy and mystery - Age-appropriate content - Teaches about art without being boring Disliked: - Some found the plot unrealistic - A few readers wanted more character development - Some say earlier books in series were stronger Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (280+ ratings) Scholastic: 4.8/5 (100+ ratings) "My son couldn't put it down - finished in two days" - Amazon reviewer "Not as complex as other Korman books but still entertaining" - Goodreads review "Perfect mix of humor and mystery for middle grade readers" - School librarian review

Swindle by Gordon Korman A middle school boy discovers a rare baseball card and plans its recovery after being cheated out of its sale.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett Two sixth-graders investigate an international art heist involving a stolen Vermeer painting.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt A seventh-grade boy deals with school politics and family dynamics while solving mysteries at his middle school.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg Two siblings run away to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and become entangled in an art mystery.

Space Case by Stuart Gibbs A boy living on a moon base investigates the death of a scientist when the official explanation doesn't add up.

🏈 The Super Bowl ring featured in the story represents one of the NFL's most valuable player awards, with real versions often containing over 100 diamonds and costing upwards of $30,000. 📚 "Framed" is part of Gordon Korman's popular Swindle series, which includes seven books in total, each featuring Griffin Bing and his friends solving different mysteries. ✍️ Gordon Korman wrote his first book, "This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall," when he was just 12 years old as a seventh-grade English project. 🎯 The theme of false accusations in schools has become increasingly relevant, with studies showing that mistaken identity and rushed judgments affect thousands of students annually in disciplinary cases. 🌟 The character Griffin Bing appears in all seven books of the series, earning him the nickname "The Man With The Plan" due to his strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.