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True Crime Files

Heist at the Museum!

Sam Subity Yaoyao Ma Van as

$32.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English
Poisoned Pen Press
04 November 2026
A fast-paced, high-stakes MG action-adventure that fuses the suspense of I Survived with the intrigue of a historical true-crime caper-the real 1964 American Museum of Natural History jewel theft-into a adrenaline charged page-turner with cinematic action and a heartfelt family arc.

A fast-paced, high-stakes MG action-adventure that fuses the suspense of I Survived with the intrigue of a historical true-crime caper-the real 1964 American Museum of Natural History jewel theft-into a adrenaline charged page-turner with cinematic action and a heartfelt family arc.

Charlie O'Neill, still grieving his mom and missing his dad's attention, overhears surfers-turned-burglars plotting ""the heist of the century."" No one believes him-so Charlie does what middle-grade heroes do best- he investigates. What follows is a breathless night of closed iron gates, cut glass, a swaying rope five stories up, and a choice that complicates right and wrong. Rich back matter clarifies exactly what's true (a lot), what's fictional (Charlie's family), who the real thieves were, how the gems traveled, and what was recovered. Illustrated throughout, this is perfect for fans of mystery, history, and museum lore-plus any reader who loves saying, ""Wait...that really happened?""
By:  
Illustrated by:   Yaoyao Ma Van as
Imprint:   Poisoned Pen Press
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 1mm,  Width: 1mm, 
Weight:   1g
ISBN:   9781464298325
ISBN 10:   1464298327
Pages:   128
Publication Date:  
Recommended Age:   From 8 to 12 years
Audience:   Children/juvenile ,  English as a second language
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming

Sam Subity grew up on a steady diet of books about Encyclopedia Brown and Sherlock Holmes, so he knew from an early age that he would either be a detective or a writer. Then he figured out he could have the best of both worlds by writing about crime-solving kids! When he's not writing, you might find him running the trails of northern Ohio where the endless, winding miles past rivers and Buckeye trees inspire stories of adventure and mystery.

Reviews for True Crime Files: Heist at the Museum!

""Fiction and history meet in this thrilling story based on a real jewel heist!"" -- Steve Sheinkin, New York Times bestselling author, Newbery Honor winner, Sibert Medalist, and three-time National Book Award finalist, author of Diamond Fever! ""Action-adventure fans will adore this breathtaking caper based on extraordinary true events. Reminiscent of the classic From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Sam Subity's True Crime Files: Heist at the Museum! is sure to become a favorite of young readers everywhere"" -- Megan E. Freeman, NYT Bestselling author of ALONE ""Truth plus fiction equals fascinating fun! With the thrills and chills of a museum jewel theft, and historical backmatter that tells the rest of the real-life story, Sam Subity's HEIST AT THE MUSEUM will have young readers on the edges of their seats."" -- Kate Albus, Bestselling author of A Place to Hang the Moon ""True crime has never been such fast-paced, kid-friendly fun!"" -- Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the two-million-copies-sold Mr. Lemoncello's series


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