FRAMED

“The Man With The Plan,” Griffin Bing, and his 12-year-old fix-it clique have graduated to Cedarville Middle School, and the new principal is a total nightmare. A former high-school football coach, Dr. Egan (aka Dr. Evil) makes the whole school exercise instead of having homeroom, and he warns Griffin he’s fully aware of the boy’s nearly illegal activities past. When Griffin’s errant retainer is discovered in a locked display case in place of the Super Bowl ring of a former student, Griffin is sent to JFK (jail for kids) Alternative Education Center while the case works its way through courts. Griffin and his friends know he’s innocent—but unfortunately the man with the plan’s plans have the usual result: Everyone gets in more trouble. Griffin’s suddenly under house arrest, and the other kids have to use their specialized skills to find the real thief before he’s sent further up the river. Korman’s third caper starring Griffin & Co. features some conclusion-jumping that would do Inspector Clouseau proud as well as plenty of improbable adult reactions…but it’s just as goofball-funny and addictive as the previous two (Zoobreak, 2009, etc.). (Fiction. 9-12)