City of Lies

Gr 4–8—In this fast-paced and lively sequel to Museum of Thieves (Delacorte, 2010), Goldie Roth struggles to accept her destiny as Keeper of the Museum of Dunt even as she becomes embroiled in another adventure. Mysterious villains snatch her friends Toadspit and Bonnie, shipping them to Spoke. Goldie follows their trail and faces the labyrinthine challenges of the city's annual Festival of Lies. The festival demands citizens speak only untruths, with a lucky few winning a "Big Lie," a prize that allows magic to make the falsehood true. Searching for the criminal who kidnapped her friends, she meets some new comrades, including a mute boy whose pet mice tell frighteningly accurate fortunes and a large cat with uncanny instincts. When Goldie locates her friends, she must try to tap into a big, time-traveling lie to save them from a sticky situation. The "Big Lie" transforms the characters into legends from the past and explains Goldie's unique abilities. The novel ends with Goldie and company heading off to face the evil Fugleman once again. Goldie's puzzle solving, the prescient mice and enormous cat, and the tricky dialogue will appeal to children who like memorable characters and a twisting and untwisting plot. Libraries that own the first book will want to purchase this installment.—Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT