Notorious - by Gordon Korman

About the Book

Told in different voices, on Centerlight Island, halfway between the United States and Canada, middle-schoolers Keenan and ZeeBee team up to seek gold rumored to be hidden there a famous gangster.

Book Synopsis

A funny, suspenseful mystery and unlikely friendship story from New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman--perfect for fans of Swindle and Ungifted.

Keenan has lived all over the world but nowhere quite as strange as Centerlight Island, which is split between the United States and Canada. The only thing weirder than Centerlight itself is his neighbor Zarabeth, aka ZeeBee.

ZeeBee is obsessed with the island's history as a Prohibition-era smuggling route. She's also convinced that her beloved dog, Barney, was murdered--something Keenan finds pretty hard to believe.

Just about everyone on Centerlight is a suspect, because everyone hated Barney, a huge dog--part mastiff, part rottweiler--notorious for terrorizing the community. Accompanied by a mild-mannered new dog who is practically Barney's opposite, ZeeBee enlists Keenan's help to solve the mystery.

As Keenan and ZeeBee start to unravel the clues, they uncover a shocking conspiracy that dates back to Centerlight's gangster past. The good news is that Keenan may have found the best friend he's ever had. The bad news is that the stakes are sky-high.

And now someone is after them. . . .

Review Quotes

"Korman is reliably at the head of the pack in middle-grade quirkiness, and his fans will be well pleased with this fresh title." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praise for THE UNTEACHABLES: "Korman infuses such humanity into this tightly controlled ensemble piece and so deftly skewers school politics and classroom management eccentricities that middle-schoolers will recognize and appreciate both the absurdities and the frustrations." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praise for THE UNTEACHABLES: "This crowd-pleasing school story delivers the straightforward humor and warmth that Korman's many fans expect." - School Library Journal
"The fast-moving, action-packed plot makes this a great choice for reluctant -readers... A diverting read full of suspense and historical intrigue." - School Library Journal
“Korman brings his usual humor and heart to this well-plotted mystery... that sensitively explores themes of friendship and family.” - Publishers Weekly
“Korman sketches characters with swift, sure strokes and places them in a distinctive setting... this a book that Korman fans won't want to miss.” - ALA Booklist
Praise for MASTERMINDS: "This unique and action-packed story is filled with twists and turns that readers will not see coming. A wonderful start to what promises to be a thrilling series."

- School Library Journal
Praise for UNGIFTED: "Touching, without being overly sentimental, Ungifted is a gem for readers looking for a story where the underdog comes out on top." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Praise for UNGIFTED: "From its lovable-robot jacket art to its satisfying conclusion, this will please Korman's fans and win him new ones."

- ALA Booklist
Praise for UNGIFTED: "Donovan has a goofy kindness that charms characters and readers alike ... The message is tolerance, and Korman expertly and humorously delivers it in an unpretentious and universally appealing tale."

- School Library Journal
Praise for UNGIFTED: "Funny and insightful."

- Publishers Weekly
"Another treat for Korman fans." - Kirkus Reviews
Praise for MASTERMINDS: "Masterminds is a masterpiece-a mind-bending adventure in a shocking but all-too-possible present, a tale of friendship and ultimate sacrifice with characters who will reach inside you and not let go. It's that rare book that scares you to the core while you're laughing your head off. Warning: Reading this book while trying to do anything else is dangerous-it's that good. I can't wait to know what happens next."

- Peter Lerangis, bestselling author of the Seven Wonders series
Praise for MASTERMINDS: "Masterminds takes readers on a wild ride with terrific humor, a surprising mystery, and characters you can't help but root for."

- Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven series and the Five Kingdoms series
Praise for MASTERMINDS: "It's hard to express how much I loved Masterminds without spoiling it. Real characters that make you laugh, twists that genuinely surprise, a plot that reveals itself perfectly. Another instant classic by one of my favorite authors."

- James Dashner, bestselling author of the Maze Runner series
Praise for MASTERMINDS: "[A] compelling, twisty mystery . . . [with] a truly gratifying payoff" - Booklist (starred review)
Praise for MASTERMINDS: "This tense, fast-paced story will have readers racing toward the cliffhanger ending."

- Publishers Weekly
Praise for MASTERMINDS: "A fresh premise, good pacing, surprising twists and engaging characters all combine to make this a series worth following."

- Kirkus Reviews
Praise for MASTERMINDS: PAYBACK: "Packed with surprising twists, high-speed chases, and plenty of near misses." - Kirkus Reviews
Praise for MASTERMINDS: PAYBACK: "Korman's action-packed caper series comes to a satisfying close...with a masterful balance of humor, thought-provoking questions, and adventure"

- Booklist
Praise for MASTERMINDS: CRIMINAL DESTINY: "A thrilling and fun series perfect for middle grade adventure seekers"

- School Library Journal
Praise for MASTERMINDS: CRIMINAL DESTINY: "Cat-and-mouse chase scenes deliver thrills...Volume 3 can't get here soon enough."

- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praise for MASTERMINDS: CRIMINAL DESTINY: "Packed with enough thrilling action and suspense to keep the pages turning...[a] highly entertaining series."

- Booklist
Praise for MASTERMINDS: "A terrific page-turner. Full of unexpected twists and revelations. Buckle up."

- James Patterson
Praise for THE UNTEACHABLES: "[An] underdog story that champions teamwork, kindness, and hidden sparks."

- Publishers Weekly

Praise for SUPERGIFTED: "Humorous, relatable, and full of heart, Korman's gift for understanding the middle school mind is on full display." - School Library Journal
Praise for SUPERGIFTED: "Managing a large cast of characters with ease, Korman creates a comedy of compounded errors leading to a public disaster and, strangely enough, a happy ending."

- Booklist
Praise for SUPERGIFTED: "Another chortleworthy outing from Korman." - Kirkus Reviews