"A humdinger doozy of a read filled with humor, heart, and incredible characters you won't soon forget!" --Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series

* "A laugh-out-loud romp." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise comes a new heartfelt and hilarious middle-grade joy ride full of friendship and adventure!

When 12-year-old Oscar Aberdeen decided he would do anything to save the only home he's ever known, he didn't realize that anything would include theft, trespassing, gambling, a broken nose, grand theft auto, a federal prison, and a police chase. He had no idea it would be so dangerous...or so fun.

Oscar Aberdeen is a bit of an oddball. He's an ace at playing bridge, loves Frank Sinatra, and attends a whole lot of funerals. He's also the youngest resident of Sunny Days retirement home by more than a half-century--and he wouldn't have it any other way. So when his grandpa's suddenly served an eviction notice that threatens their place at Sunny Days, he needs to find some cash. Fast.

Enter Jimmy Deluca, a shady elderly man with a reputation for being bad news, who makes Oscar an offer he can't refuse. He's got the drop on riches hidden away on the "outside" and he'll share the loot with Oscar on one condition: he busts him out of Sunny Days.

In this humdinger of an adventure, the ultimate odd couple, along with an uninvited stowaway, go from high-stakes escape to rollicking escapade as they search for the secret stash--and forge an unlikely friendship along the way. Will Oscar succeed in saving the only home he's ever known? Or will he have to fuggedaboutit and return a failure?

Author: Dan Gemeinhart
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Published: 10/07/2025
Pages: 352
Weight: 1lbs
Size: 8.25h x 5.50w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781250378361


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 07/01/2025 pg. 70
Publishers Weekly 07/14/2025

About the Author
Dan Gemeinhart is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the middle-grade novels The Midnight Children, The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, Coyote Lost and Found, The Honest Truth, Some Kind of Courage, Scar Island, and Good Dog, as well as the picture books Once Upon a Friend and The Gingerbread Monster. A former elementary teacher-librarian and lifelong reader, he lives with his wife and three daughters in a small town in Washington state.