Framed

The middle school librarian at the school where I work recommended Boyce's first book MILLIONS to me. I was enchanted by that book and wanted more by Boyce - and FRAMED is just as good. I listened to both on CD in the car during my half-hour commute, and it was usually hard to tear myself away. The reader is perfect - does different voices for different characters - makes the book like a British comedy on TV, just without the video. The author takes it for granted that the reader/listener knows a lot of British expressions, etc., such as knowing that Asda is a store similar to Walmart though it sells mainly groceries (or at least the ones I've visited sell mainly groceries).Other reviewers have told the story, so I won't repeat it - just to say that these are sweet, funny, thought-provoking books (both of them) which proved very appealing to me and my best friend (both in our 50s), as well as my mother (age 77). Five stars are hardly enough.If you want to read or listen to another book that has the same appeal as these, try GIDEON THE CUTPURSE by Linda Buckley-Archer. This is the first in a trilogy and the second one is due to come out this December. Another enchanting tale about 2 kids who time travel back to 1763.

Framed is a story about a boy named Dylan, who lives in Wales. People come from the National Gallery in London to hide paintings in the mountain nearby during a flood in the gallery in London.A ten-year-old's opinion of the book: "it's a good book, but not the best I've read. It lacks suspense. I thought the story-line was all right. I would recommend this to someone who at the moment has no other books in the house to read."My nephew helped me write this review. He liked the book but cannot wax enthusiastic about it. It is perhaps the British type of humor that didn't capture him immediately. He enjoyed Millions more, and he is enjoying reading Cosmic.

I enjoy books set in Wales, but lots of them are either a bit too twee or have a disturbing gloss of English condecension. Rhys Bowen's Evan Evans mysteries are very satisfying, as are Arthur remakes like Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising Sequence.But for every one of those you get an Arthur mashup failure or a cutesy cozy. Which is why it is a pleasure to recommend this book. The nine year old protagonist has an authentic voice. The village of Manod is right. The family is right. The whole novel is just well-settled in. Then you get to add in a fine plot, great secondary characters, and a funny and sometimes hilarious deadpan narrator. An absolute charm of a book. Good entertainment for younger readers, and fine for adults.

This novel is entertaining, swift moving, and builds knowledge. The author starts each chapter with a brief journal entry of cars seen during WWII at the local garage. The young hero also is intrigued by famous pieces of art work being "kept safe" in a local mine. The characters are humorous and entertaining. Recommended for a class Read-Aloud. The famous painting mentioned in the story are listed in the back of the book. It would be great to get these images to share with students.

My boys, (ages 8 and 10) and I listened to the CD version of this book. Twice. I would listen again in a heartbeat. We enjoyed every minute of it, bought the paperback version, and gave it as a gift to several friends. We did the same with Boyce's Millions, another beautiful, funny story.I won't repeat what others have said in terms of the books plot, but it is so charming and so well written, that I would rank it as one of my favorite children's books.You won't regret buying it!!

my 10 yr old is a huge fan of this author- loved the character development, humor, and learned a great deal about art. My kid was inspired to research Nation Gallery website to learn about the art referenced in this book.

How do you write a humorous story with a strong plot without a hint of darkness that is full of imperfect and good people being themselves? This is one.

Best children's book ever... I am 30 and I have listened to it over and over. Adults might enjoy it more than the kids. So, cleverly written and the reader of this audiobook is terrific! If you like this you will also want to get Millions by the same author! :]

Good book!