Oh my gosh, this book was such a hoot. It signifies Dan Gemeinhart at his best. This crime duo is something that all kids are going to find themselves enjoying and laughing out loud about while they read this story.

Busted takes the reader for a wild ride! A cross between Gordon Korman’s Old School & John David Anderson’s Ms Bixby’s Last Day, Busted follows Oliver, Natasha, and old Jimmy as they bust him out of the retirement home to take care of a few things. In exchange, Jimmy will give Oliver & his pops the money to continue living at the home. Will Jimmy come through with the money? How does he know all these people? Adventurous, nostalgic, suspenseful.

Dan Gemeinhart does it again! With his signature blend of laugh-out-loud funny, quirky characters, unbelievable adventures, life lessons, and tons of heart, he’s created another book that mature middle schoolers will love. I’m not sure younger middle grades will appreciate or relate to the mob-esque references and a twelve-year-old acting like a senior citizen (which cracked me up as an adult reader) and there were a couple things I could see parents of younger children objecting to. That being said, I’d absolutely recommend it for seventh and eighth graders. The entire time I was reading this and alternating between belly laughs and tears, I was thinking to myself that this would be a great (PG-13) movie. Loved it!

Leave it to DG to give me a story about an Old Geezer, a Goody Two Shoes, and a Bushy Redhead to leave me a blubbering mess!!! No matter what I read by him, the message is applicable to REAL LIFE. Love your family. Choose to be good. This was an unputdownable AMAZING read that kids and adults alike will LOVE!!

I laughed and laughed, but I cried quite a bit! I love the unlikely cast of characters and their quirkiness. The characters each bore heavy loads, but I loved how they processed things together on a zany adventure.

For fans of The Westing Game, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom...

How do you decide who you are going to be? What does it look like? Oscar Aberdeen thinks he has it all figured out, until he gets an offer he can’t refuse from Jimmy the Wrench and learns that life is always more complicated, more fun, and juicier than you could ever know…

Highly quotable and surprisingly wholesome, Kid Ravioli, Natasha No Nuts, Mr. Buttercup, and Jimmy the Wrench show everyone how to do the good thing...

(4.5 stars) Oscar lives in a retirement home with his grandpa and his best friends happen to be decades older than him. When one of the residents enlists his help to bust out of the retirement home to fulfill a bucket list, Oscar reluctantly agrees and is drawn into a night full of adventure and revelations. This was a genuine delight to read. I've read other books by Gemeinhart before and he always manages to deliver a story full of heart and humor and characters that stay with you long after you finished reading.

Dan Gemeinhart is one of my favorite middle grade writers and Busted is Gemeinhart at his absolute best. In Busted, Oscar lives with his grandpa in the Sunny Days retirement community (which is the most hilarious setting for a middle grade novel). When the ownership of Sunny Days changes hands, Oscar and his grandpa worry that they'll be kicked out -- until Oscar schemes with a shady elderly resident named Jimmy Deluca. In exchange for busting Jimmy out of Sunny Days, all of Oscar's financial worries will be over. What happens next is a madcap romp/road trip story that is an absolute delight. One of my favorite middle grade novels of the year, I cannot wait to get this into my library and into the hands of students.

Oscar grew up in a retirement community, as his only living guardian is his grandfather. Oscar is very polite and always follows the rules, destined to make his 35 grandparents proud. But then he gets mixed up with Jimmy Deluca, and old man who wants to knock a few things off his bucket list but has to sneak out to do it. Oscar isn't thrilled about being involved in this plot, but with the addition of the new owner's sassy teenage daughter and Jimmy's hairless cat, they set out on an adventure that none of them will forget.

Dan Gemeinhart seems to be an expert at combining very serious topics with delightful humor and memorable characters. While Coyote Sunrise will always have a special place in my heart, there's room for Oscar there too. I love the way this story invites readers to think about what's good instead of trying to squeeze everything into right and wrong. We get to peek into the secret reasons why someone might act differently than we expect. And, yes, we also get to escape from the police. Again. It's a good time, and I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good heist but isn't afraid to cry a little.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

What would life be like if you were a 12-year-old living in a retirement community? If your name is Oscar Aberdeen, the answer may surprise you. When a new member of the retirement community asks for help, Oscar can't help but take him up on the offer. After all, how much trouble could a senior citizen cause? Busted will have you laughing one minute and possibly shedding a tear the next. This book would be best enjoyed by grades 6 and up.

Rule-following Oscar Aberdeen is the king of Sunny Days Retirement Community, where he's lived with his grandfather, Pops, for almost his entire life. Unfortunately, when a new owner takes over and hikes up everyone's rent, Oscar and Pops are in danger of being evicted. Luckily for Oscar, a resident named Jimmy DeLuca has a plan--if Oscar agrees to help bust him out for one day, Jimmy'll give Oscar all the money he and Pops need to stay at Sunny Days. With no other choice, Oscar reluctantly agrees, and with some help from the new owner's outspoken daughter, Natasha, the unlikely trio makes their escape. Things don't quite go as Oscar imagines, however, as Jimmy's got some ulterior motives and more than a few secrets in his past (as well as a hairless cat who's along for the ride), and Natasha is much more than either of them bargained for. Gemeinhart keeps the laughs and the action dialed up throughout the story, which is a madcap romp sure to entertain readers who enjoy a bit of adventurous realistic fiction. As lively as both the plot and characters are, however, the author finds balance with some thoughtful dialogue, rich relationship-building, and tender moments between the memorable lead characters (all of whom are cued as white).

Middle schooler Oscar lives with his Pops in a retirement community. Fellow resident Jimmy DeLuca enlists Oscar's help to "bust out", which leads to also involving the home's new owner's daughter Natasha to help as well. What could happen with two kids and a senior former mobster on oxygen and a classic car.

Hilarity may ensue in the escape escapades, but touching parts ensue as they try to elude the search for them for a little bit longer.

I enjoyed the book. Gemeinhart has a way of spinning a tale that makes it engaging for readers of just about any age.

Loved this book and the mix of generational characters. It was funny, you get to know the characters quickly and the devotion Oscar has for his Pops really shines through. The mini “mob” adventure is sure to entice even the reluctant middle grade reader. Buckle up for a story about compassion, understanding, grief, acceptance and truly not judging a person before you know them or what they’ve been through.

Wow. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that has made me laugh and cry and feel all the feels. Unique story, quirky characters, lots of suspenseful action, and a lot of love.

Dan Gemeinhart does it again! Captivating characters, just this side of believable, on a wild ride that middle grade readers will happily devour. “Busted” would be a great class read aloud, especially if the teacher is willing to explain the old-timey references to cars, cards, and music. There are some heavy themes, but nothing upper elementary kids can’t handle with an adult to help provide context. I can’t wait to add “Busted” to my school library.

Oscar Aberdeen is no average kid. For example, he has lived with his 75 year old grandfather, Pops, at the Sunny Days Retirement Community in New Jersey ever since the death of both of his parents. Odd upbringing still, It's been a good life; Oscar is involved at the old folks home as chair of the party planning committee, he gives many eulogies, adores the music of Frank Sinatra, and he knows how to dress for special occasions in a suit, dress shoes, and cufflinks.

But things change when the owner of the rest home dies and his son takes over. Along with him is his granddaughter, Natasha. She logically explains why her grandfather had to raise the rent. But it increased so much that the Oscar and Pops will have to leave and find another place to live. You see, the home is running out of money since rents were never raised, and her father is hoping to turn the business around by getting tenants who can pay more.
A ray of hope gleams when new resident Jimmy DeLuca, a rumored ex-mobster, has a proposition for Oscar that might enable him and Pops to stay at Sunny Days. Jimmy wants out of the rest home and says he can give Oscar enough cash so they can live there indefinitely if he can help. He says it’s all legal. But you see, Jimmy is 104 and on oxygen, and he'll be driving his own baby blue Kaiser Dragon on this adventure that includes a road trip. Using his knowledge of the facility and routines of the staff, Oscar in desperation, agrees to break Jimmy out. But not before spunky Natasha says she wants in on the adventure or she’ll alert the authorities. Along for the ride is Jimmy's hairless cat, Mr. Buttercup, who has taken to Natasha. The breakout is just the start of Jimmy's "bucket list" that includes a fantastic dinner at an Italian restaurant, picking up a $300 cigar, where Oscar gets punched, hence the black eye on the cover, a trip to apologize to Thumbs, who is in prison, and that is just the beginning of this hilarious and zany adventure.
What is not funny is when Oscar notices Jimmy's oxygen tank is almost empty, but surprisingly, Jimmy is not concerned. After an all points bulletin is issued for the trio’s whereabouts, the police are closing in, and the day is concluding with bitter sweetness.

This is just a fantastic read. The characters, a crotchety old guy, a young boy who acts like an old guy, a dare devil precocious girl and of course the ever present hairless cat, Buttercup, all come together making an adventure that rivals Thelma and Louise. The pacing of each bucket list quest keeps readers clamoring for the next one.

Kids and senior citizens coming together are humorous and heartwarming. I love reading adventures and escapades, when they unite.

Gemeinhart has penned yet another wonderful novel.

For many people, Coyote Sunrise is probably Dan Gemeinhardt’s most memorable character. But Oscar Aberdeen is here to give Coyote a run for her money. At first, I was afraid this book might be something like Gordon Korman’s Schooled with its similar setting of a middle schooler being raised in an old folks home. However, that setting is where the similarities end. Oscar Aberdeen is indeed a 12-year-old living in an old folks home, but he gets roped in by one of the residents for a day of checking items off a bucket list. New friend Natasha somehow joins the escapades and many hijinks ensue. Gemeinhart’s Midnight Children has long been my favorite read aloud for my students, but I can’t wait to see how Busted goes over this fall.

One of my favorite books I've read this year. The characters are delightful and it's quite the adventure, but with plenty of feelings too.

Oscar lives in Sunny Days retirement home with his grandfather. When their rent is raised, it looks like Oscar and his grandfather will need to leave the only home Oscar has ever known. Enter Jimmy Deluca. He offers to give Oscar the money to stay if Oscar helps him escape from Sunny Days. Jimmy’s demands get more and more complicated. Will Oscar get caught? Can he earn the money he and his grandfather desperately need? Can Jimmy even be trusted?

COYOTE SUNRISE fans are going to love this story! There is so much to love. I especially enjoyed this story’s found family and the “road trip” the characters go on. I look forward to adding this book to my classroom library.

This is the best “quacking” book I have read in a long time! I laughed. I cried. I sat there smiling with tears in my eyes for quite awhile after reading the last page. Dan Gemeinhart brings his characters to life like no other author can. He truly makes you feel like you’re right alongside them. Jimmy’s character in particular stole my heart. I cannot wait to share this story with everyone I know. Busted is Newbery worthy!