Swindle

This was a fun read, and the first book in a very popular series for readers 3rd grade and up. Griffin Bing, "The Man with the Plan" stages a sit-in (or sleep-in) at a historical home facing demolition to protest the town's plans to construct a museum on the site rather than a skate park or other area for kids. Inside the house he discovers a potentially valuable baseball card, which he takes to the town collector for an appraisal. The unscrupulous S. Wendell Palamino gives the boys $120 and teases them about their hope that the card would be worth more. Days later, he appears on television preparing to ask $1,000,000 for the card at an auction, and the boys realize they were cheated. Griffin concocts a plan to get the card back ('it's show more not really stealing if it was mine to begin with...') and assembles a group of misfits from his sixth grade class to attempt to overcome a military-grade security system, a vicious guard dog, a vigilant neighbor, and an impenetrable safe. I enjoyed the fast-paced action, the teamwork, and the satisfying resolution.

Korman, G. (2009). Swindle. New York Toronto: Scholastic. show less

Loved this one! I know there will be rumbling over students participating in criminal acts - but what a wonderful opening for discussions on ethics. ; )
I loved the Oceans Eleven feel of pulling all of the students together for their different talents and the problem solving was funny and kept the reader on their toes. S. Wendell, AKA "Swindle" was definitely an amusing antagonist that everyone can agree to hate and cheer at his downfall.
Wonderfully fun reading!

I just finished listening to Swindle as I've been driving all over the state. At first it seemed a little flimsy - the premise is far-fetched, and I had trouble getting past the fact that their plan was ILLEGAL. However, Ben, Griffin and the other characters are likeable and three dimensional, and by the end of the book I was so riveted it was hard to remember that I was supposed to be driving. It's not my favorite Gordon Korman book, but it was definitely fun.

This book really did remind me of Ocean's 11. Our main character Griffin has a predicament that his solution to that may not be the most legal. He needs a talented team to help him pull off his magnificent plan and he picks from his 11-year old classmates. From beginning to end this book kept me hooked. It's a nice quick story for anyone who likes a little crime-thriller, oh and dogs! Yay Luther!

I had to remind myself often that I am not the target audience for this book. This is a solid 5th grade read. I did chuckle a few times while reading this book, which is always a good sign, but the idea that a group of late elementary/early middle school kids are going to execute a major heist is not believable. Oh yes, I'm not the target audience. Okay then, if you're in 4-6th grade, then you're completely on board with the idea of a kid, swindled out of a million dollar card, putting together a plan to steal it back. This book had me thinking of Home Alone quite a bit. No one questions the ability of a child to survive against criminals in those movies because it's not really the point at all. There is a slightly interesting twist to show more the ending, but even then Korman forgoes any real consequences for the kids' actions. Bottom line: Fun read aloud and solid pleasure read for the right age 9-12. show less

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Griffin Bing had a plan. He invited everyone he could think of to a sleepover at the Old Rockford House. It was scheduled to be demolished the next day, but Griffin hoped to use the sleepover as a protest of sorts. He was very disappointed that only his best friend, Ben, showed up.

A group of the kids had the idea that the city could build a skate park on the property when the creepy old house was torn down, but the city officials had other ideas. They thought a museum was a better idea. Griffin had organized the sleepover hoping to get the attention their plan deserved. Instead, all he got was a night in his sleeping bag listening to his friend Ben snore.

Before leaving the show more old house, the boys did a little exploring. Griffin accidentally discovered a secret drawer, and tucked in that drawer was a card - an old baseball card with a picture of Babe Ruth. He was sure it was valuable and would help solve his parents' financial problems.

After a narrow escape from the wrecking ball, Griffin and Ben hurry to Palomino's Emporium of Collectibles and Memorabilia to get the opinion of an expert. Much to their disappointment, S. Wendell Palomino gives them bad news. The card is a reproduction and worth very little. He offers them $120, and they take the money and run.

Imagine their surprise and fury when the nightly news is carrying the story of one S. Wendell Palomino and his incredible discovery of a valuable baseball trading card valued at $1,000,000. What follows is Griffin's new plan to get back the card he believes is rightfully his.

Gordon Korman has once again created a story sure to captivate middle grade audiences. His adventurous characters, great use of humor, and non-stop action make SWINDLE great fun to read. The easy, fast-moving pace will hold the attention of readers of all levels and will also work well as a read-aloud in many classrooms. show less

After a mean collector named Swindle cons him out of his most valuable baseball card, Griffin Bing must put together a band of misfits to break into Swindle's compound and recapture the card. There are many things standing in their way -- a menacing guard dog, a high-tech security system, a very secret hiding place, and their general inability to drive -- but Griffin and his team are going to get back what's rightfully his . . . even if hijinks ensue.

This is Gordon Korman at his crowd-pleasing best, perfect for readers who like to hoot, howl, and heist.