Unleashed

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a intense competitive streak or is frustrated by a project that just won't come together. This story is an ideal choice for middle-grade readers who need to see that even the smartest 'Man with the Plan' can be thrown off course by unexpected obstacles. It speaks directly to the experience of trying to balance personal ambitions with loyalty to friends and pets. In this seventh installment of the Swindle series, Griffin Bing and his team face a double challenge: a high-stakes school invention contest and a mystery involving Luthor, a former attack dog who is suddenly acting out. The narrative expertly weaves together the logistical hurdles of engineering with the emotional complexities of middle school rivalries. It is a lighthearted yet grounding read that emphasizes that success is rarely a solo journey and that understanding others, including our four-legged friends, requires patience and observation.