Overturnedby Lamar Giles
Scholastic (2017)
Mystery Fiction
What It's All About:
Nikki Tate's father has been on death row for killing his best friend in a gambling dispute, but he has always maintained his innocence, and now his conviction has been overturned and he is back at the casino, where high school junior Nikki has been operating illegal poker games in the hopes of saving enough money to get out of Vegas after graduation--and now he is determined to find the real killer, and Nikki is inevitably drawn into his dangerous search for the truth.
Why You'll Love It:
- A fast-paced, compelling mystery and memorable characters and relationships make this selection a first choice.
- The mystery never feels forced and seems to flow naturally, gaining momentum as Nikki peels away each layer until everything is ultimately revealed.
- Racial elements at play - the Tates are black while their rivals, the Carlinos, are white - hover in the background, adding another layer to Giles's murder mystery.
Perfect for 7th grade and up.
What Else You Should Read:
- Endangered by Lamar Giles
- Con Academy by Joe Schreiber
- Scarlett Undercover by Jennifer Latham
1 comment:
I don't think I've ever ead a YA novel set in Vegas! It's not a town I ever want to visit again, but I'm fascinated by the idea of a teen growing up in a casino setting. Operating illegal poker games! Love it!
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