Wow wow wow I loved this one! If THE ROAD TO TENDER HEARTS were middle grade, this would be it. Sprinkle in a friendship duo for the ages, some mobster hijinks, and a sprinkle of Frank Sinatra. This book strikes the perfect balance of big feelings and big fun. I can't wait to recommend it in the library this fall.

Dan has an incredible way with words and something extra special in his storytelling!
Not only does Busted have a cast of characters and a collection of settings that are engaging and pull you in for a ride, but the story is entertaining, full of action, heartfelt and a real page turner! I didn't intend to spend my entire day reading, but I just didn't want to put the book down! Talk about all the feels! At points it had me literally laughing out loud, tearing up in others, worried for their safety, and smiling ear-to-ear. This one will stick with me for quite some time!

Oscar Aberdeen is a good boy. He lives with his grandfather at Sunny Days Retirement Community. He is an indispensable part of the community, serving on myriad social committes, including 49 funerals for deceased residents. The latest funeral, Mr. Howell, was the owner of Sunny Days, and not his son has inherited the place. Only Sunny Days is destined for bankruptcy, which means raising everyone's rent. Oscar and his grandpa can't afford the quadrupled rent and face eviction. This is where Jimmy DeLuca, aka Jimmy the Wrench, comes in. He offers Oscar a chance to earn enough money to be able to stay at Sunny Days. Oscar only has to break Jimmy out of Sunny Days for a day. Jimmy has a lot of places and people he wants to "pay his respects to"- mostly mob-related. But Natasha, the daughter of the new owner, joins in (or rather pushes in)

The adventure is laugh out loud funny as Oscar, and Natasha and the furless sphynx cat, escort Jimmy on his trek. Secrets are revealed, fists fly, cars are stolen and stolen back again, leading to a tearful ending that is in itself poetic. I am very excited to share this title with my students this October!

Oscar lives with his grandfather at Sunny Days Retirement Community. He’s lived there all his life. His parents were killed bringing him home from the hospital. Oscar’s life turns upside down, when the owner Frank dies & Frank’s son doubles the rent. Oscar is desperate to find a way to stay.. When Jimmy, the grouchy neighbor (possibly ex-mafia)offers him a lot of money in exchange for his help breaking out of the joint. Oscar jumps at the chance & the wacky bucket list journey ensues. Natasha, Frank’s daughter & Jimmy’s hairless cat end up coming for the adventure-which includes the best Italian meal ever eaten, visiting the jail & stealing a car, just to name a few things. Much is learned through this adventure for all.

What a fabulous, can’t put down book. I was laughing one minute and crying the next. I throughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others!! A definite must read!

If I could give this book ten stars, I would! The whole time I was reading it I kept thinking it would be such a fun class read-aloud. I absolutely loved the storyline and the cast of characters was perfect. I am not sure if I needed tissues because I was laughing so hard or because I was bawling my eyes out. Regardless, it had all the feels.
I know this is book is going to be a big hit with teachers and students.

Oscar Aberdeen 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 when they were bring the infant Oscar home from the hospital. It's been a good life; Oscar is the head of the celebrations committee that plans parties, he gives many eulogies, and he knows how to dress for special occasions in a suit, dress shoes, and cufflinks. When the owner, Frank Howell, dies, his son takes over. Oscar meets Frank's granddaughter, Natasha, who offers some explanation when Pops' rent is increased so much that the two will have to leave and find another place to live. Natasha says that the community 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. It's nothing personal. To Oscar, who has been raised with a plethora of grandparents, it is intensely personal. When new resident Jimmy DeLuca, a rumored ex-mobster, has a proposition for Oscar that might enable him and Pops to stay put, he's all ears. In exchange for help in breaking out of the rest home, Jimmy will give Oscar a substantial amount of cash, all obtained legally. The catch? Jimmy is 104 and on oxygen. Also, he'll be driving his own baby blue Kaiser Dragon on their adventure in New Jersey. Oscar uses his knowledge of the facility and its staff to bust Jimmy out, but encounter Natasha in her bathing suit, on the way to the hot tub. She wants in on the adventure or will alert the authorities. This necessitates a stop by the mall to buy her clothing, and Oscar even has to purchase unmentionables for her. She is a help, however, in taking care of Jimmy's hairless cat, Mr. Buttercup, on the road. Jimmy's "bucket list" starts off fairly tamely, with a fantastic dinner at an Italian restaurant. Oscar isn't happy with the "dine and ditch" approach, so he goes back to leave some of Jimmy's cash, which makes the next stop, picking up a $300 cigar, a bit more difficult. Oscar ends up getting punched, hence the black eye on the cover. Jimmy wants to apologize to his colleague, Thumbs, who is in prison, while Jimmy got away, and Jimmy somehow knows that Oscar has someone he needs to speak to there as well. The group visits the house where Jimmy lived with his wife and daughter Maria, and learn that the daughter's untimely death is what led Jimmy into a life of crime that he deeply regrets. There is a stop at a tattoo parlor, and also a gambling den, where Jimmy loses the car in a game of high stakes poker. Since the group needs wheels to get around, they steal a car. When a silver alert appears on the news, they realize that the kids' phones are being tracked, and turn them off. Jimmy's final item is to sit on the beach, where he was happy with Maria. Oscar is alarmed to find out that Jimmy's oxygen tank is almost empty, but Jimmy is not. Even though the police are closing in, the day is over for the group anyway, especially for Jimmy.
Strengths: I've been a fan of breaking senior citizens out of facilities since Cooney's 2006 Hit the Road, so getting Jimmy the Wrench out of Sunny Days was a great adventure. His possible dealings with the Mob makes this even more appealing; what middle schooler doesn't harbor vague thoughts of being on the wrong side of the law? Oscar doesn't, of course, since he has learned the most polite behavior on God's green earth, dagnabit. That's where having Natasha along for the ride comes in handy. She has a reason for seizing the day, and does it with a vengeance. The pacing of this books was particularly well done; we get just enough of Oscar's daily life to become invested in his continued residence, but are soon compelled onto the road in a sweet car with a complicated older individual. We don't get enough time with Jimmy, but what we learn of him is realistic, and his end, while a little sad, makes sense. I know that Gemeinhart's 2019 The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise has LOTS of fans among teachers and librarians; this will be a much bigger hit with actual tweens, since there is more adventure and less soul searching.
Weaknesses: Is it possible that middle grade books involving senior living communities is becoming a trend? We've seen this theme since Sonneblick's 2005 Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, but I've not really talked with my students about how much they are interested in this. Also, Gemeinhart seems to be fond of killing off parents; this had a complicated, very realistic backstory twist that I don't want to spoil, but I did prefer Korman's artifice of having his main characters parents in Belgium with international careers so he could like in a senior facility with his grandmother in Old School.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like roadtrips with senior citizens and classic cars, like Cartaya's new A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation, Bradley's The Road to Wherever, or Ponti's The Sherlock Society. The East Coast setting also reminded me a bit of Nokowitz's The Prince of Steel Pier.

This was such a fun read. I loved Oscar and the Survivor Squad. There was so much fun, and the seriousness was woven in wonderfully.

I really enjoyed a lot of Busted by Dan Gemeinhart. The premise - a young boy who grows up in a senior living community helps a grumpy senior escape in order to complete his bucket list - is a very creative, fun idea. A lot of the story was entertaining and unexpected, for sure. I liked the main character, Oscar, a lot. He uses a lot of older phrases and enjoys senior activities, which is hilarious, and also not something I've read before with a character. I also liked the conflict that is created by having the senior living community change owners, and the new owner wants to up the prices of the units, which forces Oscar into a situation that he normally would never entertain. This puts believable stakes in place that explains why Oscar is willing to do what he does.

That being said, I did think some of the content was not appropriate for upper elementary school readers. I won't give spoilers, but it's enough where I would hesitate to see this in an elementary classroom or school library, because I know that there would be parents who would object. The character of Jimmy could have also been toned down quite a bit. It's almost like the tone/writing quality is perfect for upper elementary, but the content is more middle school/YA.

So, overall, it's entertaining and offers something different than what is already available. There's a lot to love here, but definitely some elements that take things too far and might make some readers/parents uncomfortable.

“Being good is something ya quacking choose. Maybe I would choose to be the one good thing in my …….. Life.”

Dan Gemeinhart does it again with Busted, a laugh-out-loud adventure full of heart, humor, and the most unlikely friendships. Fans of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise will feel right at home with this spirited and unconventional story.
Rather than spoiling the plot, I’ll introduce the three unforgettable main characters—who begin as enemies and end as the best of friends.

Oscar ("Kid Ravioli"), a rule-following 12-year-old, lives with his granddad ("Pops") at the Sunny Days Retirement Home. He’s beloved by all the residents, always lending a helping hand—whether it's assisting on and off the retirement bus or serving meals. He’s also a devoted Frank Sinatra fan. But when the new owner of Sunny Days raises the rent astronomically, Oscar and his dad are at risk of losing their home.

Jimmy DeLuca ("Jimmy the Wrench") is 104 years old, an infamous ex-mobster, and a known liar. Gruff and unliked by most, Jimmy has money—and a plan. He offers to pay Oscar to help bust him out of the retirement home so he can complete his bucket list.

Natasha ("Natasha No Nuts") is the daughter of the new owner and she’s a constant nuisance to Oscar. But somehow, she talks her way into the adventure—and over time, you can’t help but love her too.

The book releases on October 7, and I highly recommend preordering it now. If you enjoy high-stakes adventures, unexpected twists, and characters who find themselves in hilariously awkward situations, Busted is the book for you.
A note for parents and teachers: The book uses the word “quacking” as a substitute for a swear word. While I found this clever and funny as an adult reader, it may raise concerns depending on your household or classroom setting. Use your own judgment based on your children or students.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group @mackids and @NetGalley for the advanced digital copy and thank you @dangemeinhart.

Oscar didn’t know what he was getting into when he agreed to help Jimmy. What started out as a way to earn some money to save his home turned into the adventure of a lifetime. When it was all over, Oscar saw life in a new way. This is a fun story about friendship and living life to the fulllest. Although it gets rough at times, kids will enjoy following the adventure as Jimmy checks off his bucket list and Oscar learns there is much more to life when you get outside the retirement community.

I'm a huge Dan Geneinhart fan, and Busted is no exception! Unforgettable characters, thoughtful, reflective conversations, life-altering situations that don't shy away from reality. All of Dan's books have the them of chosen family: family isn't just who you're related to, but who makes your life whole, and this rings true in this sweet, funny book. Thoroughly enjoyed and recommend without hesitation.

Oscar has lived his whole life with his grandfather in a retirement home. He is very popular with the residents, helps everyone, and knows his way around. That's why he is chosen by Jimmy "the Wrench" to help him sneak out. Oscar is an avid rule follower, and would never willingly participate in such shenanigans, but Jimmy offers to help Oscar and his Pops stay in their home after a sudden rent hike they cannot afford. So what choice does he have?

This book had me laughing from the beginning. It is filled with quirky and heart-warming characters. There are lots of nicknames and plenty of sass from characters of all ages. Middle schoolers will love the spunk and adventure. I look forward to reading this aloud with a class, so I can enjoy their laughter and reaction to some of the twists right along with them.

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.