Swindle
By Gordon Korman
Scholastic Press
ISBN 9780439903448
$16.99
Grades 4-6
In Stores March 2008
Can we get a few more copies please?
I work as library media specialist in a school district with four elementary buildings. Right now two of the schools are holding their annual book fair and “Swindle” is the most sought after item … other than the pencils with fuzzy dog toppers (cringe). It helps that “Swindle” was featured prominently in a video we show students hyping up some of the books that will be on sale. I have to say that the hype was warranted. This heist story is sure to catch on with a wide range of readers, including that hardest to reach segment of the reading population: boys.
Griffin is a guy to likes to think things through. He has a plan for everything and can always count on his best friend Ben to help him execute his grand ideas. One such idea leads to the discovery of an old Babe Ruth baseball card. When the boys take the card to their local memorabilia fanatic (S. Wendell Palomino, henceforth known as “Swindle”), the collector dupes Griffin and buys the card for cheap. When it comes to light that the card could be worth millions, Griffin assembles a team to get the card back. There’s Pitch, the climber; Logan, thespian; Melissa, computer pro; and Savannah, animal control. Everyone needs to play their role to perfection – Swindle is obsessed with keeping his prized possession secure. Do they pull the job without a hitch? Not even close. But what fun is it if things go as planned?
I was wondering how this one was going to end, in fact I was racing to find out. Griffin and his crew commit a crime – you can’t really just say “and then they got away. The End”. So how does the author wrap up the story and leave the reader satisfied while dealing with the serious nature of the offense? Mr. Korman does an admirable job. Our heroes don’t get off the hook, but they aren’t really left on the hook either. It didn’t disappoint.
So let’s see: kids being sneaky + the chance to be rich + sticking it to a greedy adult. Yep, by my calculations we have genuine reluctant reader gold on our hands. Now if I could just scare up a few more copies for kids on the book fair waiting list…
100 Scope Notes 
11 comments
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May 12, 2008 at 8:20 am
greg
amazzzzzzing
June 4, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Jared
Iffy…
Although the plot is amazing, It was a bit fast pace. There was not much explaining on the settings and character. Because of this it was hard to have a visual idea of the settings and characters.
Main plot- After spending a night a house about to be demolished Griffin Bing finds a babe ruth baseball card. So the next day he goes to a antique dealer. There the seller swindles him, buying it for 120$ when, he later realizes, it was worth 1million dollors. So after the dealer refuses to give it back, Griffin organizes a team to steal the card back.
I think the book is also pricey.
last is if i had to rate it 1-5 (5 being the best) I would give it 2 1/2.
February 23, 2009 at 5:22 pm
john
i think this book was alright it infact it was really good i really liked the beginning when griffin first finds the card and all the things that happened why they were sleeping in that old house and overall it waas a great srory i really liked it….
February 23, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Eric
it was a really awesome book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 23, 2009 at 5:26 pm
barry
i really really liked it
May 18, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Brandon
uhm ye… this book was good well right now i have a book report to do and right now im doing the character traits. so i think theres to many characters because i have to right like a paragraph each char and i need to do it on page!!! theres like 9 peepz i goota do it on!!! (0_o) it taking me forevever
May 30, 2009 at 9:45 am
Thomas
I really liked this book! Plot was amzing. But, was ther a dynamic chaacter in this book?
June 23, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Conner
OMG
That book sucked i will never read it again!!!!
November 18, 2009 at 12:55 am
Joel
The book was very exiting and fun i had fun reading the book and i hope u will like it too
November 18, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Conner
sry about about the book suck now i read it i realized that it isnt that bad. i hope i can really intro other ppl to this book
November 28, 2009 at 4:24 pm
BK
It was a good book but not a great one!