The Big House

A comic tour de force -part Crime and Punishment, part The Sting -by one of America's most highly acclaimed writers for children and young adults. When their parents are sent "up the river" for embezzlement, Ray and Ivy are left to live in the lap of luxury with Marietta Noland and her ancient husband, Lionel. But life at the big house is not all it is cracked up to be. First there is the shrouded portrait, then there is the spider in the decaying wedding cake. And what about the vicious instrument Marietta uses to decapitate her egg? When "the rain in Spain" begins to fall (in other words, Ray wets his bed), things go from bad to worse and Ivy knows it is time to take matters into her own hands. What follows is a hilarious lark as Ray and Ivy case the joint, get the skinny, and show Marietta she has met her match. HONORS Notable Children's Book -ALA A Book Sense Children's Pick -American Bookseller's Association Parents' Choice Silver Honor -Parents' Choice Foundation Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List-Texas Library Association Massachusetts Children's Book Award Master List Virginia Readers' Choice Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Program Masterlist Children's Literature Choice List The White Ravens Children's Books & More to Read and Own - Cuyahoga County Public Library & Sun Newspapers New Books for Missouri Students, Intermediate, 5-8