Marvin lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the PompadaysÕ apartment. He is very much a beetle. James Pompaday lives with his family in New York City. He is very much an eleven-year-old boy.After James gets a pen-and-ink set for his birthday, Marvin surprises him by creating an elaborate miniature drawing. James gets all the credit for the picture and before these unlikely friends know it they are caught up in a staged art heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that could help recover a famous drawing by Albrecht DŸrer. But James canÕt go through with the plan without MarvinÕs help. And thatÕs where things get really complicated (and interesting!). This fast-paced mystery will have young readers on the edge of their seats as they root for boy and beetle.

In ShakespeareÕs Secret Elise Broach showed her keen ability to weave storytelling with history and suspense, and Masterpiece is yet another example of her talent. This time around itÕs an irresistible miniature world, fascinating art history, all wrapped up in a special friendshipÑ something for everyone to enjoy.

Masterpiece is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.