The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower

by Lisa Graff

Bernetta Wallflower is having the worst summer on record. After her ex-best friend, Ashley, frames her for running a school-wide cheating ring, Bernetta can't convince anyone that she's innocent. Her parents ground her until her tonsils grow back, and she's not even allowed to go to her father's magic club, Trunk Number Eight, where she performs every Saturday as a magician's assistant. But what's most terrible of all is that Mount Olive, the private school Bernetta has attended since kindergarten, has decided to take away her scholarship for seventh grade. If Bernetta wants to return to school, she'll need to find $9,000 in three short months. It seems hopeless . . . until Bernetta comes up with a plan that involves a lot of lying, a little bit of trickery, and a mysterious stranger with chocolate-brown eyes. This is a comic and touching story about losing your footing and finding your way again from the author of The Thing About Georgie .

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Friendship, Juvenile, Young Adult, Family

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 29, 2008

About the author

Lisa Graff is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots, as well as Lost in the Sun, Absolutely Almost, Double Dog Dare, Umbrella Summer, The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower, The Thing About Georgie and Sophie Simon Solves Them All. Originally from California, she lived for many years in New York City and now makes her home just outside of Philadelphia.

Reviews

[Kelly Hager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've become a huge fan of Lisa Graff's and this book was adorable.

As you may know, I am a huge fan of heist stories, and this one is a new favorite. I never really think of kid con artists, but Bernetta and Gabe are excellent at it. (I guess that's one of the best qualities for a con artist, right? The ability to go undetected and to fly well below anyone's suspicions?)

I don't want to say much about the plot because of the potential for spoilers, but this is absolutely a book you don't want to miss.

Bernetta (and her sister Elsa!) is an amazing character, the kind you'll want to spend more time with.

Recommended.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa graff never disappoints. Great 4th/5th grade read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elements of this book worked really well - Bernetta's struggle to determine the right thing to do, the magic tricks and con tricks. However, there's a couple of big problems as well. I'm not sure the movie quotes and references work that well because while I recognized them, I have no confidence that the intended upper grade school audience would recognize them. The biggest problem I had though was that Bernetta's parents just seemed to assume and accept that she was guilty despite her protestations of innocence. This seemed particularly odd to me since the older sister believed in Bernetta's innocence and was well respected by her parents and the school. Perhaps this wouldn't bother kids so much, but my parents would have been raising quite the ruckus in the same situation. This could work well for discussion though since Bernetta makes some poor choices and struggles with a lot of decisions.

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Graff is such a strong and consistent author. We have really loved all of her books so far, and this one was no exception. The story was pretty gripping and engaging from the start. Actually made me quite anxious for the characters. Tight story craft and excellent character development, wonderfully poignant relationships, and a thought provoking situation. Very worthwhile.

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing itself is good - the characters have natural voices and are easy to relate to. It's just that there's not enough of a payoff to make the story work - it's a step away from "and then I woke up". I'm always up for a good grift and I appreciate that this book is a good way of subtly showing the slow decline into moral failure and the small compromises we make with ourselves that turn us into what we most hate - but I think it's more frustrating than enjoyable.

[iLa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm about 50% through. I keep hoping I'll start to enjoy this story, but I'm just not getting into it. Summary so far...the main character is accused of something she didn't do, so she decides to become a con artist. Is there ever a point where she feels real remorse for what she is doing? Does she ever get caught stealing all of the money?

I decided I don't care enough to find out.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Lisa Graff read, but it certainly won't be my last. I initially started reading this book to see if it would be good for my 10-year-old son. I most definitely am recommending it to him, but I enjoyed the story for myself as well.

[Dusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me how to scam people (a skill I will never ever use) and literally got me to eat paper at one point. I loved the whole thing.

[Deanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Technically, I did not finish. I could not finish, this book was too disturbing.

[Steph · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found nothing to be redeeming about these characters at all... and at the end of the story she's going to use the money to pay back people who ASHLEY stole from? What about all of the old people and store clerks they conned themselves? None of the three of these kids were honest so I hated that this story made it out to be that Gabe and Bernetta were the "good guys," really only because they weren't quite as mean as Ashley.

I just don't like the idea of teaching kids about being con artists and this book does just that. It's not funny and could cause kids to get in huge trouble.

I swear that I tried to find something that I liked about this book... it just really got under my skin.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower by Lisa Gaff wasn’t very exciting. I didn’t have any emotions when I was reading this book. I usually feel like I am in the book. I didn’t feel like I was in this book. It gave less excitement since I wasn’t in the story and didn’t know how exactly the characters felt. This story was about a girl name Bernetta Wallflower who got accused from “her best friend” Ashley.

Bernetta’s mom works at a private school called Mount Olive. It cost a lot to get in this school but since Bernetta’s mom work there, her family got in for free. Ashley is a girl who steals money and threatens people. Bernetta thought that Ashley was her best friend but then she got accused of doing something she didn’t do. Bernetta now had to pay the full price to get into Mount Olive. Bernetta doesn’t want to get in a private school. She can’t do anything since she is grounded. Her sister lies that Bernetta is babysitting for her friend. Bernetta lied to her sister that she had a great job. Her job was stealing with a guy name Gabe. Bernetta didn’t know Gabe but Gabe suggested working together to earn money. Finally Bernetta earns enough money for Mount Olive, but then Ashley stole her money again. The worst thing is that Gabe helps Ashley to steal it. Gabe regrets it but Bernetta is mad. Would Bernetta be able to get to Mount Olives? What would she tell her parents when they ask her where all the money is? There is an exciting way the story ends and you won’t know it until you read the book.

I think that this story can be written better. Adding more emotions would help the story get exciting. Some parts were great but some parts needed more information. This whole story was a mystery. I enjoyed reading this book. I wouldn’t say that you have to read this book for it wasn’t a great book. Definitely read this book if you have nothing to do. This book wasn’t horrible.

This book has mystery. You don’t know who Gabe actually is. There are many parts I didn’t understand until I got to the end. I would recommend this book to kids that love mystery. It doesn’t have detectives, but it makes the reader ask many questions.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Bernetta Wallflower knows two things: 1) a lot of stuff about magic since her father owns a magic club known as Trunk Number Eight, and 2) people who appear to be your friends can turn on you and leave you with nothing.

Accused of running a cheating ring in her private school, Bernetta finds herself without a scholarship to Mount Olive for next year. Because of her problems at school, she is also grounded for the entire summer. She needs $9,000 in her bank account if she hopes to return to Mount Olive for seventh grade, and babysitting appears to be the only thing she is qualified to do. Then Bernetta meets Gabe, a self-professed con artist, and he offers to cut her in on the action he has planned for the summer.

Using the sleight-of-hand skills she has learned at her father's magic club and her natural acting talents, Bernetta joins forces with Gabe to earn some serious money. Instead of reporting to her fake babysitting gig, Bernetta meets Gabe at the mall where they begin running scam after scam to earn the money she needs to replace her lost scholarship. After all, it's for a good cause, so how could anyone object?

Everything seems to be going smoothly until Ashley Johansson shows up. She is to blame for Bernetta's trouble at school and the suspended scholarship, and now here she is threatening even more trouble. Can Bernetta get what she needs and still find a way to live with her actions? One thing she does learn is that everyone has more than one option in life; it's just about which option you choose.

Lisa Graff's THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF BERNETTA WALLFLOWER is a whirlwind adventure in petty crime and accepting the consequences of one's decisions. Graff begins each chapter with a new magic term, and readers will be fascinated with the description of well-known cons used by Bernetta and Gabe. Bernetta's story is sure to entertain, but at the same time present readers with challenging questions about doing the right thing.

[Munro's Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

After her best friend frames her for running a cheating ring, hobbyist magician Bernetta looses her scholarship to her private school. Feeling out of options she takes up a mysterious boy's offer to become his con artist partner.

This is a fun and tidy little book, although not one that sinks its teeth into the subject matter. It never fully embraces telling a con story, not does it fully commit to examining the moral pitfalls of conning people, instead hovering trepidatiously somewhere in between. I wonder if parents/grandparents might balk at the subject matter and again, I'm not sure either the story or the consequences are strong enough that I could argue for it.

That doesn't at all mean this is a failure of a book though, just that it's a bit slight and doesn't really commit to a viewpoint. The characters were well written (although Bernetta's parents stretched my suspension of disbelief a little by buying into her lies), I liked Bernetta's conflicts and growth and there was for sure some fun to be had. Perhaps a good recommend for 11/12 year olds with a mischievous streak.
-Angela

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernetta finds herself accused of being behind a blackmail scheme at her school. She realizes that Ashley, who she used to think was her best friend, set her up. Now she faces a summer grounded at home because her parents don't believe she is innocent either. When her private school rescinds her scholarship, Bernetta is desperate to earn enough money to pay the $9000 herself. But she can only do it by turning to deceit and cons herself, exactly what she has been accused of.

The premise of the this book and its fast pace will have tweens wanting to read it. What makes it noteworthy is the deft characterizations of Bernetta, her family and Gabe, her accomplice. All are complex and interesting, making tough decisions in their lives. Though the book deals with stealing and cons, the author keeps a light tone, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, just as Bernetta must come to her own ethical decisions.

Recommended for tweens, this would also make a great classroom read with strong male and female characters and plenty of issues for discussion.

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Bernetta Wallflower is wrongly accused of being the mastermind behind a school wide cheating ring, she loses her full tuition to the private school she attends. Desperate to return to her school, she teams up with a new friend in order to pull con's on unsuspecting people and earn the $9,000.00 tuition to get back into school. Although this book is likeable enough, it has several flaws that bring it down - it is slow to start, the dialogue often feels forced and unreal, the antagonist is so evil she's practically a super villain, and the plot line - stealing money to pay for tuition because you're too good for public school - is questionable. Flaws aside, it was a quick read that brings up good discussion points - do two wrongs make a right? When (if ever) is it okay to lie? How easy or difficult is it to earn someones trust, or to make someone trust you?

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot I liked about this book and some that scared me as a teacher. I loved the eventual lesson of the story, but the ease to which the characters committed such serious crimes worried me slightly. I think a discriminating boy or girl could find the lesson in this book. However, I think some kids might not. Of course I am thinking of my age student, a fifth grader. I don't know if I am saying this in a way that makes sense. I would be more than willing to read another book about Bernetta Wallflower and I hope that some day I will get the chance to do so. Hint Hint Ms. Graff.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

After being framed for running a cheating ring, Bernetta enters a life of crime running con games to earn the money she needs to go back to her private school. This is just to out there. It is so unbelievable. Main character is 12 and it is really hard to believe that she and the boy she meets could run con games like this that the boy learned from watching movies and reading books. The ultimate connections to the girl who framed her in the first place are just to coincidental. Good premise but it ultimately just does not work.

[Allanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do you do if you're twelve, your so-called "best friend" has just framed you for being head of a cheating ring at your school, and you've been expelled ... that is, unless you can raise the $9,000 tuition for the next school year, since they yanked your K-12 scholarship?

Oh, and you have talents in the art of illusion, since your dad is a practicing illusionist?

I mean, babysitting isn't going to rake in the cash that you need ... so, really, what are your options?

It was a fun read.

[Trina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected a funny revenge on the girl who wronged you sort of story. Instead, it was the story of a twelve year old con artist. Less cute and charming than the cover and flap led me to believe, more disturbing. I was just not expecting the story of a twelve year old led into a life of crime by a cute boy and conning senior citizens out of twenty bucks at a time. The resolution did indeed resolve all of that. Maybe I would have liked it better if I had known what I was getting into from the beginning.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Bernetta! She sure knew how to get in trouble! As I was reading other reviews about this book, I do agree that sometimets you worry about the choices she is making BUT the whole time she is talking to herself, aware of the consequences that this might bring. I LOVE the fact that at the end of the book, the topic of "choices" is discussed! Esme Raji Codell wrote in her book "Sahara Special"..."do you know who is the main character in the book? The one that CHANGES the most" LOVE this quote...and it's perfect for this book!

[Addison Children's Services · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bernetta is framed by the girl she thought was her BFF. Accused of running a blackmail/cheating ring, Bernetta escapes expulsion, but loses her scholarship. Unless she can make $9000 over the summer she will attend to a public school in the fall. Luckily Bernetta has some talent as a magican. Unfortunately her new �??friend�?� Gabe thinks that talent can be turned into big money by running cons. His motto, �??It isn't stealing if people give you money.�?� This is a cute book, but a little disturbing that it is full of tips for running scams.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernetta Wallflower is the daughter of a magician, raised on slight of hand. But she had nothing to do with the cheating ring she was accusing of running. Bernetta was framed by her supposed best friend Ashley. Now that Bernetta's exclusive private school has revoked her scholarship, she needs to earn $9,000 in one summer if she wants to return. Bernetta finds herself working as half of a con artist team in order to earn the money. But who is really taking advantage of who?

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read, even with the unbelievable parts. What parents would trust that their daughter, whom they had just grounded for the summer, was really going to a babysitting job without talking to the parents of the children But Bernetta is following in the footsteps of her father and uses magic to elude and confuse and ultimately get her life back from the ruin caused by her friendship with Ashley.

[Angela Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked all of Bernetta's imperfections. I also really enjoyed the idea of adolescents pulling clever cons on each other and others around them. I think it's important that this book showed how difficult it is to dig yourself out of situations once you are involved with the wrong ones and the people you probably shouldn't be involved with. However, I think this book ended rather suddenly and the twists in it were fairly predictable for it being a book about cons.

[Lacy]

I was a little disturbed by the moral waywardness of this character, who is slightly upset by the cons she pulls, but more excited by the money she makes. Although the overt message tells you stealing is wrong, the novel as a whole portrays it as cool and exciting. So although the writing is good, I couldn't recommend it to a teen.

[Alexis White · Rating 5 out of 5]

think this book is a good book for fifth graders because Bernetta figures
out that she has to earn her way back to mount olive school. but she does it the wrong way by lying to her parents about her job she is supposed to be baby sitting but instead she is coning people with a boy named Gabe and her x best friend Ashley

[Lorelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. It's hard to read at times if you think about a kid facing a life of crime at this age :0) but LOVE the way it ends, by showing crime isn't all that after all. You couldn't help but pull for Bernetta to get herself out of the mess she had created, and she doesn't disappoint. Great story.

[Amy]

Goodfellas for the middle grades crowd, if such a thing existed. I love how this book is sassy, smart, and edgy but in a completely innocent kind of way that makes it so perfect for a middle school reader.

I predict that after I give this a booktalk it will be one of the most coveted in my classroom.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book but not as great as Lisa Gaff's other books.
I liked the main character until she made bad choice after bad choice.
There were a few unexpected twists.
I wanted more at the end! How did it work out with Bernetta and her parents.
Lisa Gaff is a fantastic writer. This just wasn't my favorite of her books.

[Bill Prosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. It's very different than The Thing About Georgie by the same author, but I think every bit as good. It will work great for talking about how choices affect your life. Kids will get it.