The Great Greene Heist

Jackson Greene swore he was finished with cons and schemes after his last heist went wrong. But when he learns that his old rival Keith Sinclair may win the school election through fraudulent means, Jackson assembles a team to protect the integrity of student government at Maplewood Middle School. With help from his tech-savvy friend Charlie, basketball star Gaby de la Cruz, and other students with specialized skills, Jackson devises an elaborate plan. The group must navigate school politics, security systems, and their own complicated relationships while trying to expose corruption before election day. The mission becomes personal as Jackson works to rebuild trust with former friend Gaby de la Cruz and prove he's changed his scheming ways. Multiple obstacles emerge that test Jackson's leadership and force him to decide how far he'll go to do what's right. This middle-grade heist story explores themes of friendship, integrity, and redemption while challenging assumptions about which rules can be broken in service of justice. The diverse cast of characters demonstrates the power of bringing different skills and perspectives together toward a common goal.

Readers describe this as a fun middle-grade heist story with diverse representation and clever plotting. Multiple reviews compare it to Ocean's 11 for kids. Readers appreciated: - Complex schemes and twists - Strong character dynamics and friendships - Diverse cast that feels natural rather than forced - Fast pacing and humor - Positive portrayal of smart kids using their talents Common criticisms: - Some found the large cast of characters hard to track - Plot complexities occasionally confused younger readers - A few felt the ending wrapped up too neatly Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (90+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Sample review: "Perfect for kids who like elaborate plans and outsmarting authority figures. The diverse characters and school setting make it relatable while keeping the stakes exciting." - Goodreads user "Sometimes hard to follow all the moving pieces, but my son loved trying to guess what would happen next." - Amazon reviewer

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🎲 The author, Varian Johnson, was inspired to write this middle-grade heist story after watching Ocean's 11, one of his favorite movies. 📚 Before becoming a full-time writer, Johnson worked as a civil engineer, designing bridges and roadways. 🏫 The book tackles serious themes like racial prejudice and stereotyping while maintaining a fun, lighthearted tone through its elaborate school election scheme. 🎮 The main character, Jackson Greene, has a complex system of "cons" named after classic board games like Operation and Monopoly. 🏆 The Great Greene Heist was named to over 15 state reading lists and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal.