The Frame-Up - by Wendy McLeod Macknight (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

When Sargent Singer discovers that the paintings in his father's gallery are alive, he's pulled into a captivating world behind the frame he never knew existed.

Filled with devious plots, shady characters, and a grand art heist, this inventive mystery-adventure celebrates art and artists and is perfect for fans of Night at the Museum and Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer. School Library Journal said, "This middle grade read paints fantasy, humor, and mystery into a satisfying tale about the power of friendship."

There's one important rule at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery--don't let anyone know the paintings are alive. Mona Dunn, forever frozen at thirteen when her portrait was painted by William Orpen, has just broken that rule.

Luckily twelve-year-old Sargent Singer, an aspiring artist himself, is more interested in learning about the vast and intriguing world behind the frame than he is in sharing her secret. And when Mona and Sargent suspect shady dealings are happening behind the scenes at the gallery, they set out to uncover the culprit. They must find a way to save the gallery--and each other--before they are lost forever.

With an imaginative setting, lots of intrigue, and a thoroughly engaging cast of characters, The Frame-Up will captivate readers of Jacqueline West's The Books of Elsewhere series. Booklist said, "This chapter book's most memorable element is also its most unusual: the imaginative conviction that art is alive." Includes images of the real paintings featured in the book.

From the Back Cover

The residents of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery live by a very specific set of rules:

• Under no circumstances are residents to interact with humans or move about when there are humans in the building.
• Do not get caught outside your painting.
• Do not go into someone else's painting without his or her permission.
• Failure to abide by these rules will result in punishment and possible banishment.

Thirteen-year-old Mona Dunn is about to break the first two. But she's been trapped in the same place for more than a hundred years. So, really, who can blame her?

Twelve-year-old Sargent Singer believes in his own set of rules:

• Dad abandoned you, so don't trust him.
• This summer is going to be a disaster.
• Just get through it.
• You don't need friends.

Meanwhile, magic and mischief is brewing at the Beaverbrook. And when Sargent catches a glimpse of something unexpected and forbidden, his rules go out the window, too, and that mischief snowballs into a friendship story, a mystery, and a crime caper like no other. Exactly who is framing whom?

Review Quotes

"[A] delicious tale...[a] clever, satisfying story for art-loving readers ages 11-14." -- Wall Street Journal

"The mystery plot will keep readers guessing until near the end, but they will find other parts of the story even more involving...While Sargent and Mona are vividly portrayed, this chapter book's most memorable element is also its most unusual: the imaginative conviction that art is alive." -- Booklist (starred review)

"Readers will delight in the canvas world that exists on the other side of the frame...Not just for art enthusiasts, this middle grade read paints fantasy, humor, and mystery into a satisfying tale about the power of friendship." -- School Library Journal

"A girl in a painting and a boy visiting the gallery she hangs in foil art thieves. ...MacKnight entices with art critique and technique. ...For anyone who's wondered about the people inside the frames." -- Kirkus Reviews