A smart kid foils big-time thieves in the nation's capitaland joins the FBI.Using a method he invented called the Theory of All Small Things, white seventh-grader Florian Bates solves mysteries by piecing together seemingly trivial clues in this engaging, humorous, but not always logical caper. When Florian easily helps the FBI recover three masterpieces stolen from the National Gallery of Art, the dazzled feds supply him with an alias and train him at Quantico. Collaborating with his African-American best friend, superbright, athletic Margaret, Florian finds that even with TOAST, sleuthing gets dangerous when the pair, working undercover, come up against a European crime syndicateand another spectacular art heist in the form of a forgery substituted for an iconic Monet. Exciting adventures ensue, and clues accumulate until the culprit is revealed and the genuine painting located. Missteps intrude, though: a few lapses in logic may leave readers puzzled; some clues seem contrived; and a subplot involving Florian's discovery of the startling identity of adopted Margaret's biological father falls flat. The solution is also a letdown: the thief is a minor figure, and the means by which the painting was stolen and the forgery set in its place aren't explained. The real draws here are the two resourceful leads' solid, realistic friendship, bolstered by snappy dialogue, brisk pacing, and well-crafted ancillary charactersnot to mention behind-the-scenes glimpses of the FBI.More escapades are promised in this improbable but satisfying series starter. (Mystery. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In this entertaining, fast-paced mystery, seventh-grader Florian Bates is surprised to find himself helping the FBI solve the theft of millions of dollars' worth of stolen paintings from the National Gallery, in D.C. Florian humorously recounts how, as a covert asset to the FBI, he and his new friend, African American Margaret, tangle with a notorious crime syndicate as they attempt to solve the mystery. Their secret to cracking the case? They use TOAST (Theory of All Small Things) to look at all the small details to see the larger truth. Some plot points aren't fully explained or don't completely make sense, and readers may too easily decipher whodunit. What stands out is the portrayal of Florian's and Margaret's intelligence, their close friendship, and athlete Margaret's sports prowess. Refreshingly, the adults aren't portrayed as completely clueless; they are respectful of the kids' crime-solving abilities, even though the preteen sleuths, as they realize themselves, are not infallible. Young readers will enjoy this first caper in a projected series.--Rawlins, Sharon Copyright 2016 Booklist

Gr 4-7-Mystery buffs and fans of Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider" series are in for a treat. Protagonist Florian uses a special technique he calls T.O.A.S.T. (Theory of All Small Things) to solve mysteries. The technique enables Florian to draw conclusions based on noticing tiny details. Florian has just moved with his family to Washington, DC. He has never had many friends before. When he meets Margaret, the girl who lives next door, she is intrigued and fascinated by T.O.A.S.T. and begs Florian to teach it to her. When they go to the National Gallery of Art so Florian can teach her his method, they discover details that may be linked to the theft of three paintings. Florian's use of T.O.A.S.T. to find the missing art impresses the FBI so much that he is asked to become a covert consultant. When a dangerous crime syndicate kidnaps Florian, he will have to use every trick he knows to escape and save the day. Florian is funny and smart and grows throughout the novel. VERDICT With elements of Alex Rider, James Bond, and Sherlock Holmes stories, this is likely to be popular with mystery and action/adventure fans.-Patrick Tierney, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School, Providence, RI © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.