The Bamboozlers

by Michael de Guzman

Albert Rosegarden is a boy in desperate need of an adventure. Then Wendell, the grandfather he's never met, shows up. Wendell is a reformed swindler of mixed ancestry with one last score to settle. With his mother's reluctant permission, Albert is allowed to spend a weekend in Seattle with his grandfather. Joined by former colleagues, Wendell and Albert con a con man who has it coming. The Bamboozlers is about love and the passing on of wisdom. And, as Wendell puts it, "This is going to be the most fun you ever had."

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

I grew up seeing hypocrisy pretty much everywhere I looked. I still see it. I believe it must be conquered. I think love, hope, romance and our imaginations are the best way to do it. Most of all I believe that kids get the short end of the stick. We pay lip service to the idea that they are the future, but we short change them. Kids don't have the vote. They don't have lobbyists because they don't have money. Everything about their lives is determined by adults, often to their detriment.

I write about kids who populate the margins of society, who have something big to face in life, who take action on their own behalf, and who are aided along the way by adults who live on the margins themselves. I write about the world we live in, and the world inside my head. They tend to be quite different places.

My latest novel for kids and parents, GROWING UP RITA, is the story of a mother and daughter caught up with the problems of immigration. MELONHEAD and BEEKMAN'S BIG DEAL are now available in paperback and as ebooks.

I attended Trinity School in New York City, and the University of Rhode Island, where I met my wife. We live in Seattle, Washington with our dog, Banjo.

Reviews

[Rogel jahamez]

By Rogel R. on 11/12/2021
I rate this book 2.5 out of ten because the book was slow. One reason I thought the book was 2.5 rating is because Albert, the main character, was boring and annoying. When Albert was talking to his mom elly it was boring because they were both bozos. When this event happened i almost went to sleep because of this experience the book lost half a star. The book gained some stars because of its ability to make me cynosure. I felt this way because some of the characters were very cool characters that do important things.Some of these characters wendell, reo basin, carmin, wrestler do very important stuff. This very important work reveals to the reader that this book is a 2.5 star book. I would never read another book from michele de guzman.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and heartfelt story about family, forgiveness, and the thrill of mischief. The Bamboozlers perfectly captures the magic of unlikely bonds and the wisdom that can come from unexpected places. Wendell and Albert’s intergenerational adventure is funny, warm, and surprisingly touching a delightful blend of caper and coming-of-age.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Albert Rosengarden, a 12 year old, rides his bike back and forth to school and dodges some bullies who are always pestering him. Today, he was suspended for 3 days from school for defending himself to a point and now was trying to ride his bike home as fast as he could to beat the principle from calling and telling his mom before he did. Wow! What a way to start the school year.

Albert has never met his grandfather. One day, Wendell Rosengarden shows up out of the blue and tells Albert that he's his grandfather. Albert's mom wants Wendell to just go away; doesn't want no part of Wendell's shenanigans whatsoever. Albert begs his mom to let him stay just one night. She agrees only to tell Wendell he must be gone in the morning and in the morning he is along with Albert. They are on an adventure. Albert calls his mom from the Anne Frank museum and begs her to let him stay with his grandpa until Monday as he is suspended from school anyway. She agrees only Albert needs to call her each and everyday.

Well Albert and Wendell do get into some adventures. Wendell takes Albert to see some historic sites and cons him into helping him with a con. Will Albert help? What are the pair up to? Who are all the friends that Wendell knows and why do they help him so much?

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a cute story.

I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks.

[Tom Donaghey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is nice to win a book through Goodreads which turns out to be a winner in and of itself. Aimed at the 10 to 15 year old market, this tale of a boy and his long estranged grandfather embarking on a road trip to Seattle is at one heartwarming and fulfilling. Along the way we meet various shady characters and discover the reason for the separation of the grandfather from the boy's mother. Also there is a small amount of adventure and discovery as the two travelers engage in a grift that is the tail end of a long con. All is explained and while there are times of danger, all comes out right in the end, although that too can be seen as slightly sad.
In short this is an engaging read with deft characterization and colorful scenery. A nice read indeed.

[Salsabrarian]

Albert lives with his mother Elly in small-town Mountain View, Idaho. She toils as a late-night waitress and he craves a life more adventurous than the one he's living now. One day, Elly's estranged father Wendell shows up with his Stradivarius case and takes Albert on a three-day trip through Oregon to Seattle. In Seattle, Albert learns that Wendell is a con man who's about to pull off his biggest and last con on a longtime adversary, Reo Bascom. Albert meets Wendell's cronies who are all in on the act. Albert himself gets involved by directly trading the violin case for $200,000 from Reo. The adventure and friendship with his grandfather gives Albert a confidence that helps him understand his mother better and a fresh new perspective on his future.

[Meggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I received this book in a giveaway from Goodreads First Reads. I found this book charming. It is a coming of age story about a boy as he spends a long weekend with a grandfather he has not previously met. I found the story simple, yet beautifully written. The kind of story that comes from a great storyteller and makes you feel good about yourself and the world you live in, even if you have nothing in common with the main character. I will be recommending this book to my friends. And as an aside, Hollywood is my favorite character, the story wouldn't be quite the same without him.

[Karen Kidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a Goodreads drawing. I was interested in it because I just took my 8 year old grandson to Seattle and the book is about a grandfather who takes his grandson there. I would rate this book as a Young Adult book. I enjoyed it very much. The writer has a great sense of humor and I chuckled frequently while reading it. It is a very quick read at 144 pages but well worth the read.