I'm not sure how he does it, but Gemeinhart can have me laughing in one sentence and in tears in the next! His characters - Jimmy the Wrench (suspected retired mob), Oscar (who always wants to do the right thing), Natasha (who has her own hidden traumas), Mr. Buttercup (the ugly hairless cat), and the residents at Sunny Days all worm their way into your heart. Jimmy promises Oscar money so he and his grandfather can continue to afford living at Sunny Days as rents are going up. But first, Oscar has to help him escape the retirement home. Simple enough, right? WRONG! This starts Jimmy, Natasha, Oscar, and Mr. Buttercup on a series of unbelievable adventures, in which we encounter even more interesting characters. The quick plot and crazy character antics will keep readers wanting more. This one will be a hit for my middle grade readers, I'm sure!

Another great one by Dan Gemeinhart! I enjoyed Oscar and his many friends at Sunny Days adventures! Gemeinhart has a way of bringing out the best in all of his characters no matter where they might have started at the beginning of the story, and this book was no different. Maybe a little slower than other books- but still worth the time and definitely a needed redeeming book students need to read!

Dan Gemeinhart does it again! A phenomenal book about family, love, grief, and growing up. 12 year old Oscar has grown up in a retirement home, being raised by his grandfather. The residents of Sunny Days have become a family to Oscar. When resident Jimmy asks Oscar for help, Oscar jumps at the chance. Little does Oscar know, he'll be breaking Jimmy out, breaking lots of rules, and even breaking the law! It's a rough night for Oscar, but also the most fun he's ever had. This book will have you laughing out loud one minute and sobbing the next. A must-read for older MG readers and beyond! Outstanding!

Busted has heart and a whole lot of chaos. Oscar is quirky and lovable, and the found-family vibes hit the mark. Not my favorite of his, but worth the read!

If Dan Gemeinhart ever decides to stop writing middle grade novels, he could easily become a screenwriter. He is the master of making movies in my mind. The interactions between Oscar, Natasha, and Jimmy remind me of classic 80's movies, mostly Adventures in Babysitting. Humor, action, strong characterization, and emotional connections drive this novel. I highly recommend this book to any middle school reader or teacher looking for a read aloud that students will beg for more once a chapter is finished.

Sheer perfection. I absolutely adored this wild ride of a book. Gemeinhart has done it once again with characters to love, a plot unlike any other, and an emotional rollercoaster in prose. I can't wait to get this in the hands of our middle grade readers. If you weren't already a fan of Gemeinhart's (and who isn't?), you will be after reading this fantastic book.

Two tweens help out an old man on oxygen to cross off the items on his bucket list, only to find out that he used to be in the Mafia. The motto for the day is YOLO and they end up breaking all sorts of rules (stealing, lying, illegal gambling). There is also a lot of inappropriate language (which is substituted with the word "quack", using the Lord's name in vain, and nicknames like "geezer," "dame," and "no nuts."

By the end of the story, we do see that there is more than meets the eye for some characters, which provides a good lesson on not making snap judgements.

Speaking of the end, I thought it was a little drawn out.

The book was very entertaining, but not really for me.

A riotously fun, big-hearted caper about home, hope, and the oddballs who steal your heart. Don’t miss it.

A riotously fun, big-hearted caper about home, hope, and the oddballs who steal your heart. Don’t miss it.

Busted is an absolute blast from start to finish—a wildly original, laugh-out-loud middle grade adventure packed with heart, humor, and one unforgettable duo.

Twelve-year-old Oscar Aberdeen is one of the most endearing oddballs you’ll ever meet. A Sinatra-loving, bridge-playing kid who lives in a retirement home? Yes, please. His love for Sunny Days and his mission to save it lead him into the most hilarious and high-stakes misadventure, complete with stolen cars, disguises, and a prison break that somehow works.

The friendship that forms between Oscar and the sharp-tongued Jimmy Deluca is the beating heart of this story. Their intergenerational banter and chaotic quest for treasure is both heartwarming and genuinely funny, with just enough danger to keep kids turning pages late into the night.

With clever writing, fast-paced plotting, and an irresistible mix of madcap action and emotional depth.

How does Dan Gemeinhart do it, book after book after book?? This is another absolute page-turning high-stakes adventure that is bursting with incredible characters! Once again, he had me crying on one page, then howling with laughter the next. Highly recommend! This one would make such a fun class read-aloud!

After the first chapter or so, I expected to not enjoy this novel much at all. The MC, Oscar, is something of an unbearable drip, a goody-goody that was somehow just annoying without being anything but kind and thoughtful. However the introduction of Jimmy and Nadia, as well as the adventures the three have together, completely turned me around. By the end I loved all three of the characters and was both cheering them on and mourning alongside them. A very sweet, warmhearted novel with tons of humor and not always quite so clean fun.

Another winning book by Dan Gemeinhart! Oscar lives with Pops in a retirement community and learns rent is going up, and since Pops doesn’t have enough money they will have to leave. Jimmy, a new resident, tells Oscar if you help me with something I will give you the money. Oscar agrees and Natasha, the retirement community’s daughter, invites herself along. What an adventure the three of them have: going to the state penitentiary, the cops, a poker game, stealing a car, and more. Oscar thinks of Jimmy telling him “being good is a choice” a choice we should all make. Does Oscar end up with any money? What an ending!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Dan Gemeinhart is a fabulous writer. There is so much heart in his books. This one was hilarious. The stories of three amazing characters are woven together in a fast paced story. Big hit!

This middle-grade novel tells the story of 12-year-old Oscar Aberdeen, a quirky kid who lives in a retirement home with his grandpa. When they face eviction, Oscar teams up with a shady elderly resident named Jimmy Deluca. In exchange for breaking Jimmy out of Sunny Days, Oscar will get a share of hidden riches. Their escape turns into a wild adventure, complete with unexpected mishaps and an unlikely friendship, as they search for the secret stash to save Oscar's home.

Dan Gemeinhart has done it again! Busted delivers the engaging plot and dynamic characters I've come to expect from this author. While I certainly don't condone the kids' actions in the story, and the events are definitely far-fetched, I absolutely loved this book and will be enthusiastically recommending it to others.

YOLO. Squeeze the orange. Read the book.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

Though I've read and enjoyed most of Dan Gemeinart's books, the Coyote Sunrise books are in a class unto themselves. The characters and emotion in those books are truly hard to compete with, but Busted is right up there holding it's own. Jimmy, Oscar, and Natasha would fit right in on another bus adventure with Coyote and Rodeo. I loved this trio. This book is bursting with emotion and adventure. I loved this from start to finish, and can't wait to share it with other readers.

It’s been a minute since I’ve stayed up past midnight simply to finish a book- and Dan Gemeinhart is the cause. Thank you for this!

His new middle grade novel- “Busted” -releases October 7, 2025. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Dan Gemeinhart has the unique gift as an author to make you laugh out loud when reading, even when you are by yourself, to crying so hard you have to put the book in the freezer to take a break. (Coyote Sunrise anyone?!? Everyone?!?)

I’m going to need a reread, a do-over of “Busted”. This book is so quacking brilliant! These characters- 12 year old Oscar (going on 80 years old), elderly Mr. Jimmy Deluca the rumored ex-mobster, and Natasha the granddaughter of the Sunny Days Retirement Community owner- they connect and create a quacking amazing story you won’t want to end. ❤️

Highly recommend for middle grade readers-! Now- I feel like some ravioli…🤔…”Language!”

This book is funny…like laugh out loud with such frequency that your students note the disruption in their silent reading time and ask about what is so hilarious, like find a good reason to extend said time so that you can keep reading, funny.
Geimenhart weaves three fabulous characters together amidst a supporting cast that is equally endearing.
There is some language in the book that may make it not for everyone, and the use of God’s name makes me hesitate to give it a, Every Kid Should Read This story, recommendation.
Busted really is a masterpiece though. I would expect nothing less from this brilliant author.