The Bad Kid

Gr 4–7—Claudeline has been raised in a family of gangsters. An 11-year-old girl of French and Chinese descent, growing up in Brooklyn, Claudeline believes she is destined to follow in the footsteps of her criminal grandpa and take over the family business. After all, stealing, lying, and getting in trouble are part of her daily routine. But life becomes complicated as Claudeline mourns the passing of her beloved grandpa Si and struggles to convince her clueless father that she is good for the gang. One day, she sees fliers asking for donations to help a sick girl. Claudeline is immediately suspicious. This is a story about choices and what it means to be good, with a straightforward plot that progresses slowly and builds to an intriguing climax. The humor, quirky characters, and contemporary New York setting, combined with the gangster lore, make this ideal for middle grade readers who enjoy slightly naughty characters with hearts of gold.