STARRY, STARRY HEIST

Thwarting a sinister time traveler’s ingenious scheme to steal great art gives two young strangers a common cause.

Struggling to care for his mom, who’s suffering from serious and undiagnosed health issues, as well as dealing with being lonely and bullied, 12-year-old Maximum Rose-Rodriguez finds himself on an urgent mission. First he finds a cryptic note—in his own handwriting—inside a sandwich from a neighbor. Then he meets mysterious art historian Dr. Syzygy (“but you can call me DZ”), who tells him that Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, which is slated for exhibit at Los Angeles’ nearby Griffith Park Observatory, is in danger—and that saving the painting would also help his mother. Max’s adventures take him on a wild ride that includes multiple trips back to 1889 for meetings with van Gogh himself. Briner packs in so many underdeveloped subplots that her main storyline struggles for visibility. Fortunately, the book includes numerous scene-stealers, including Max’s new friend and ally, Maybe Wells, an exuberant, blue-haired trans girl, as well as a rescued pet octopus and a memorable villain. Even if the baddie’s scheme collapses with convenient ease, the ending will leave art lovers pleased and reassured. Brown-skinned Max’s name cues some Latine heritage, and Maybe presents white.

Severely overstuffed with themes and subplots but will nonetheless stretch readers’ imaginations.