Busted - by Dan Gemeinhart (Hardcover)

About the Book

Twelve-year-olds Oscar and Natasha assist an ex-mobster retiree bust out of his retirement community in exchange for money to help Oscar and his grandfather to stay in their home.

Book Synopsis

"A humdinger doozy of a read filled with humor, heart, and incredible characters you won't soon forget!" --Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series

"Busted is about to be your kid's new favorite." --Scary Mommy

From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise comes a new heartfelt and hilarious middle-grade joy ride full of friendship and adventure!

When 12-year-old Oscar Aberdeen decided he would do anything to save the only home he's ever known, he didn't realize that anything would include theft, trespassing, gambling, a broken nose, grand theft auto, a federal prison, and a police chase. He had no idea it would be so dangerous...or so fun.

Oscar Aberdeen is a bit of an oddball. He's an ace at playing bridge, loves Frank Sinatra, and attends a whole lot of funerals. He's also the youngest resident of Sunny Days retirement home by more than a half-century--and he wouldn't have it any other way. So when his grandpa's suddenly served an eviction notice that threatens their place at Sunny Days, he needs to find some cash. Fast.

Enter Jimmy Deluca, a shady elderly man with a reputation for being bad news, who makes Oscar an offer he can't refuse. He's got the drop on riches hidden away on the "outside" and he'll share the loot with Oscar on one condition: he busts him out of Sunny Days.

In this humdinger of an adventure, the ultimate odd couple, along with an uninvited stowaway, go from high-stakes escape to rollicking escapade as they search for the secret stash--and forge an unlikely friendship along the way. Will Oscar succeed in saving the only home he's ever known? Or will he have to fuggedaboutit and return a failure?

Review Quotes

A 2027 ​O​klahoma Library Association Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Nominee
A 2026 CBC Teacher Favorite Winner
A 2025 Amazon Best Book of the Year
A 2025 Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids Pick
A Bank Street Best Book of 2025

"A humdinger doozy of a read filled with humor, heart, and incredible characters you won't soon forget!" --Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello series

"Busted is about to be your kid's new favorite." --Scary Mommy

* "[A] seamless blend of comedy, adventure, and heart." --BCCB, starred review

* "Nonstop action and fast pacing keep the story rollicking along. Gemeinhart crafts a delightful story of unlikely friendships and breaking out of one's comfort zone." --School Library Journal, starred review

* "Heartfelt, sentimental . . . a laugh-out-loud romp." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "The quirky story's quick tempo and sense of humor instantly enthrall . . . a rousing intergenerational romp that manages to be both entertaining and uplifting." --Booklist, starred review

* "Storyteller extraordinaire Gemeinhart gives readers another thoroughly absorbing novel with nonstop action and lovable characters. . . extravagantly entertaining and affecting." --Shelf Awareness, starred review

"An exuberant joyride." --Kirkus

"Busted will take readers on a hilarious and heartfelt whirlwind ride." --BookPage

Praise for Coyote Lost and Found:

A New York Times bestseller
A Kids' Indie Next List Pick
An Amazon Best Book of the Year So Far

The Midnight Children:

#1 New York Times bestseller
Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year

"Distinctive narration and heart-pounding suspense will carry this kids-outwit-grownups tale deep into your heart to the place where courage is born." --Rosanne Parry, bestselling author of A Wolf Called Wander

"This is Dan Gemeinhart's best yet and that's saying something." --Padma Venkatraman, Walter Award-winning author of The Bridge Home

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise:

A 2019 Parents' Choice Award Gold Medal Winner
An Amazon Top 20 Children's Book of 2019
A Bookriot "25 Of The Best Middle School Books For Today's Readers" Pick

"Sometimes a story comes along that just plain makes you want to hug the world. Your heart needs this joyful miracle of a book." --Katherine Applegate, acclaimed author of The One and Only Ivan and Wishtree

"Coyote's bold, engaging voice pops off the page." -The New York Times

About the Author

Dan Gemeinhart is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the middle-grade novels The Midnight Children, The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, Coyote Lost and Found, The Honest Truth, Some Kind of Courage, Scar Island, and Good Dog, as well as the picture books Once Upon a Friend and The Gingerbread Monster. A former elementary teacher-librarian and lifelong reader, he lives with his wife and three daughters in a small town in Washington state.