To Catch a Cheat
(eBook)

When a video frames Jackson Greene and his friends for a crime they didn't commit, Gang Greene battles the blackmailers in this sequel to the acclaimed The Great Greene Heist. Jackson Greene is riding high. He is officially retired from conning, so Principal Kelsey is (mostly) off his back. His friends have great new projects of their own. And he's been hanging out a lot with Gaby de la Cruz, so he thinks maybe, just maybe, they'll soon have their first kiss.Then Jackson receives a link to a faked security video that seems to show him and the rest of Gang Greene flooding the school gym. The jerks behind the video threaten to pass it to the principal -- unless Jackson steals an advance copy of the school's toughest exam. So Gang Greene reunites for their biggest job yet. To get the test adn clear their names, they'll have to outrun the school's security cameras, outwit a nosy member of the Honor Board, and outmaneuver the blackmailers while setting a trap for them in turn. And as they execute another exciting caper full of twists and turns, they'll prove that sometimes it takes a thief to catch a cheat. Praise for The Great Greene Heist: "It's a thrilling ride that may con reluctant readers into settling down on the couch with books like The Great Greene Heist instead of the remote control." -- The New York Times * "It's refreshing to read a story about middle-school life that's smart, complicated, and funny, with a cleverly constructed plot and a sweet relationship between a boy and a girl. ... The lively (and racially diverse) cast of characters and the intricate plot will make this a story to read again for the sheer fun of it all." -- The Horn Book Magazine, starred review* "The elaborate bait and switch of this fast-paced, funny caper novel will surprise its readers as much as the victims." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Like all entertaining heist tales, The Great Greene Heist assembles a motley crew of characters, each with their own specialty. . . . Varian Johnson keeps the pace lively and the 'Star Trek references flying." -- Austin American-Statesman Varian Johnson is the author of several novels for children and young adults, including The Parker Inheritance, which won both Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor awards, The Great Greene Heist, an ALA Notable Children's book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book, and a Texas Library Association Lone Star List selection, and the graphic novel Twins co-created with Shannon Wright, an NPR Best Book. He lives with his family near Austin, Texas. You can visit him on the web at varianjohnson.com and @varianjohnson. From To Catch a Cheat:"Tell me, where were you on Saturday evening?" Jackson sat down on the other side of the principal's desk. "Saturday? Mr. James said the prank happened on Sunday.""Mr. James should focus on security, not plumbing," Dr. Kelsey replied. "No, given the amount of damage, we suspect that the toilets were clogged on Saturday evening, after the boys' basketball practice. The faucets were turned on as well. So I'll ask again--where were you on Saturday between five and eight o'clock?""At the library. Studying." Jackson focused on Dr. Kelsey's nose. He told himself not to blink, not to hesitate. "My dad dropped me off. I checked out books and everything." "Did anyone else see you there?""I don't know. Maybe.""Then you don't have an alibi.""Dr. Kelsey, I promise--I did not pull this prank."Dr. Kelsey grinned. No. He smirked. "That's fine. You don't have to talk. I'm sure I can eventually convince Charlie de la Cruz to speak up. Or maybe I'll chat with Hashemi Larijani. Or Charlie's new best friend, Bradley Boardman. It's funny how students start talking once you take away some of their perks.""They don't have anything to do with this.""And you do?" Dr. Kelsey's face stiffened. "If you don't confess now, you...