Often a treasure hunt begins with a series of clues to be followed. You follow the clues and of course, you get the treasure. Under the Egg supplies a bit of a twist, since the treasure itself, a possibly priceless piece of art, is located rather quickly. The treasure hunt is really more of an in-depth research project that leads our heroine, Theo and brand new best friend, Bodhi, to art museums, the hospital, auction houses, libraries, a retirement home and a center for Jewish History. And in the end, things turn out quite a bit differently than the reader might have anticipated.
Theodora (Theo) has been living in Manhattan in a formerly grand house that is falling apart. Her grandfather passed away in an accident, leaving Theo with some cryptic dying words. Theo hopes desperately that he’s left her some clue about how to survive, because without some help, she’s in dire straits. Left in the care of her negligent mother (whose mental health is certainly in question), with only $384 to her name, Theo must care for the house, feed herself and somehow, solve the mystery she hopes will save her.
This had the makings of a great book. It turned out to be a really good book, but there was a hint of something more there – meaning I can’t wait for Fitzgerald’s next offering whatever it may be. The adventure was fun to read about, but I admit that as an adult there were so many things that I understood or took for granted that I believe would difficult for a young reader to parse. At times, it was frustrating that Fitzgerald left out relevant information that would have interested the readers, such as when Theo pays a penny for admission at the Met (the pricey fee is actually a recommendation) and when she takes a Shabbos elevator which stops at every floor (to allow observant Jews to observe the Sabbath and not press the button – more details here). These are cool interesting details, but so few middle grades readers will even pick up on it. I’ve seen comparisons to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and I think that’s fair. They both feature precocious kids and lots of references that adults will be faster to get than the actual reading audience. And of course, both are focused in the wonderful world NYC art world.
Also, just for reference, although Theo is living with her mother, it is a situation that would qualify as criminal neglect (see childwelfare.gov page 2). I don’t think the book makes light of her mother’s situation, but I do think it’s important to know. Her mother is also clearly not quite well mentally.
Topical Bonus: With Clooney’s Monuments Men released just this year, there may be higher than usual interest in the Nazi’s handling of art during WWII. This book might make for a bit of fun light reading for a seventh or eighth grader who has seen the movie.
Heads Up: As a central painting depicts Christ there’s a bit of religious information in here about Christ’s death and ascension.
Age Recommendation: This was shelved juvenile in my library, but I’m not so sure that’s quite the ideal audience. Between Theodora’s father basically using her mother for money, the references to the holocaust, and Theo’s mother’s mental state, this might be best for grades 6 and up.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – Theodora’s father is supposedly a grifter who “seduced” her mom to get his hands on the house. She mentions the training bra she’s wearing. Raphael (the famous painter) is called a flirt and amorous, delighting much in women. His death is due to “sexual excess” according to one book. There’s talk of a woman’s breast in reference to a painting. One of his paintings shows a woman appearing topless except a transparent wisp help to her chest. Not in the least sexual, but there is reference to breastfeeding. A woman is called Raphael’s mistress. Theo wears a slip at one point and a negligee at another, both times as her actual clothes, not as undergarments.
Profanity – “hell,” the girls hear the echo of a “four-letter word”,
Death, Violence and Gore – Theodora Tenpenny sees her grandfather lying on the ground with blood pooled around him. He spoke his last words to her. A rat killed off a chicken. Raphael (the painter) was orphaned at age 11. Not violent, just gross – a girl can dislocate her own arm. In recounting events of World War II there are some brief mentions of bombings, concentration camps, POW camps and guns. There’s a brief mention of gas chambers and of Nazi labor camps. A man and his wife were sent to Auschwitz. The wife was gassed immediately. A man dies escaping from POW camp. He is shot. A grown man was 100 pounds when freed by the Americans. Theodora’s grandfather is jokingly worried that a neighbor will smother him in his sleep. The book reports that the Holocaust Museum in Israel contains the names of two-thirds of the holocaust victims, leaving two million victims unaccounted for. A man was registered as dead but is not dead. A man committed suicide while awaiting execution. He was known as the Paris Executioner and responsible for many deaths. A girl lost both of her parents to the Holocaust. A baby died (way, way in the past).
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – Theo’s mom is not all there. She’s mentally a bit unstable and a very irresponsible (probably to the point of being unfit). There are some absolutely not frightening references to vampires. Theo has a very real (and realistic) fear of losing her home and also having to go to foster care. There are some descriptions of the POW camps. The information isn’t too graphic or scary compared to what it could be, but they do describe the men as being thin as skeletons. The book explains that labor camps worked people to death. They explain that Jews were persecuted; businesses and synagogues were burned.
