The Picasso Curse

by Dan Gutman

What would happen if you accidentally bought a doodle worth millions? Edwin Hodge finds out in this middle grade novel by Dan Gutman, bestselling author of My Weird School series.

There were so many things Edwin Hodge didn’t know when he paid $10 for a cool poster of Kobe Bryant at the local flea market.

He didn’t know that hidden within the frame of the poster was an original drawing by Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous artists in history. He didn’t know the Picasso might be worth millions of dollars. He didn’t know that kids at school were going to treat him differently, or that he would become a world famous social media superstar.

And he sure didn’t know that people would tap his phone, follow him home, break into his house, or threaten to burn it down. He didn’t know the Picasso was going to ruin his life.

Have you ever had to make a decision--a really hard decision? A decision that would change the course of your life from that moment on? Edwin is faced with lots of crucial decisions in this gripping adventure, a blend of fact and fiction by Dan Gutman, an author who says, “I want my readers to think that reading my books is like watching a movie. One where you never know what’s going to happen next.”

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Adventure, Family, Art, Mystery

192 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

The author of over 80 books in a little over a decade of writing, Dan Gutman has written on topics from computers to baseball. Beginning his freelance career as a nonfiction author dealing mostly with sports for adults and young readers, Gutman has concentrated on juvenile fiction since 1995. His most popular titles include the time-travel sports book Honus and Me and its sequels, and a clutch of baseball books, including The Green Monster from Left Field. From hopeful and very youthful presidential candidates to stunt men, nothing is off limits in Gutman's fertile imagination. As he noted on his author Web site, since writing his first novel, They Came from Centerfield, in 1994, he has been hooked on fiction. "It was fun to write, kids loved it, and I discovered how incredibly rewarding it is to take a blank page and turn it into a WORLD."

Gutman was born in New York City in 1955, but moved to Newark, New Jersey the following year and spent his youth there.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself bouncing off of this for whatever reason, but my book club kids really liked it, and had a spirited discussion. lots to chew on.

[Amelia Venjoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s many ways to end a book, but an author can only choose one.

I see a few people hating on the end- and I get it. It didn’t bother me though and I feel like it could be used as a springboard for some fun extension activities in the classroom.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Edwin Hodge finds a cool poster of Kobe Bryant at a flea market near Peoria, Illinois and pays $10 for it to the seller, Mr. Ledger. A classmate, Vinnie Capanella, also wanted the poster, which makes Edwin happy, since Vinnie is a bully. When Edwin gets the poster home, he finds a drawing under the frame. He takes it to school for show and tell, which of course makes Vinnie even angrier, but also draws the attention of his art teacher, Ms. Castello, who later calls his home to tell his parents they really should get it appraised. Since there is a flashback in the book telling us a story about a doodle by Pablo Picasso, supposedly done while he was being questioned as a suspect in the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, we know that Edwin does indeed have a valuable piece of art. This recommendation starts a whirlwind of activity, as Edwin and his family have to deal with the "curse" of a string of ups and downs. Mr. Ledger appears, first offering a few hundred dollars for the return of the sketch, and then $10,000. The family travels to an art museum in Chicago, where a graduate student sees the sketch and introduces Edwin to her professor. They think about listing it with an art auction house in New York City, but as they are making plans to travel there, the house rescinds the offer to represent the piece. Insurance on the art is high, and travel is expensive especially since the Hodges are dealing with the loss of the mother's job after the Dollar General where she works is damaged in a tornado that almost takes the sketch away. Edwin eventually makes the news and does a lot of talk shows on Zoom, but this brings a lot of unwanted attention. He decides to cut down on the folderol by staging a shredding of the piece, but even that gathers an unwarranted amount of interest, with bids for pieces of the artwork commanding large prices, and a company offering $100,000 to sponsor the streaming event. It's all a fast-paced, nutty ride... and ends up on a cliff hanger. What would YOU do in Edwin's shoes, if Picasso's curse targeted YOU?
Strengths: Like Gutman's The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle, The Picasso Curse blends fact and fiction nicely. Gutman even goes the extra mile to point out what parts of the story are true, and which are not! There are even photographs and reproductions of posters and other historical artifacts to add a sense of realism to the story. The best part about this is the wish fulfillment angle; Edwin not only gets a rare bargain, but he takes it from right under the nose of the school bully. While a lot of the occurrences seem unlikely, they also seem entirely possible, and I loved how the parents were willing to go along with Edwin's plans, not matter how wild they got. Not having a firm ending to the story makes this an intriguing title to use as a read aloud, and to have students write what they think will happen next. I don't think that Gutman had any formal training as an educator, but he definitely has an innate ability to trick readers into learning a lot in most of his books.
Weaknesses: The back story about the Mona Lisa theft and Picasso's artwork is introduced rather early in the book, and is rather long. I thought it moved along quickly, but I can see how readers who aren't interested in history might find this bit of the book slow.
What I really think: Gutman's books are always such fun, and he is such an asset to the world of children's literature. He clearly spends a lot of time listening to what young readers want. The blurb for this book quotes Gutman as saying “I want my readers to think that reading my books is like watching a movie. One where you never know what’s going to happen next.” He certainly accomplished that with this fun and funny story of an unlikely flea market find. This is a must purchase for middle school and elementary libraries.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

When 12-year-old Edwin Hodge buys a framed Kobe Bryant poster at a flea market, he has no idea his whole life is about to change.  He takes the poster home and removes it from the frame, and a small piece of paper flutters out - a doodle.  He doesn’t think much of it, but when he brings the poster and the ‘doodle’ to school for show and tell, his art teacher sees it and informs it might actually be a sketch by Pablo Picasso. After much deliberating with his parents (Edwin is very indecisive), he brings it to the Art Institute of Chicago to have it appraised, and there it generates enough excitement to bring it to the attention of an auction house in New York.  As Edwin prepares to part with his find, hopefully for a considerable sum, he is riddled with doubt and worry.  He learns of the so-called “Picasso Curse” - many people in the artist’s immediate circle died in an untimely manner and bad luck has befallen many collectors of his art ever since.  

Immediately after his trip to Chicago, Edwin’s town is hit by a tornado, and his family garage (where the Picasso was being stored in a safe) is demolished, so Edwin starts to believe the curse may be real.  Nonetheless, he and his parents agree to the auction, and after a local news story about him goes viral, he becomes internet-famous and popular at school.  This of course attracts the attention of some unsavory characters as well, including a rival classmate, the flea market dealer from whom he bought the poster in the first place, and a burglar who completely trashed the Hodges’ house looking for the picture. When the surge of negative attention leads the auction house to cancel the sale, Edwin—whose parents are both newly unemployed—must rethink his options for how to capitalize on his discovery.  The art teacher, who doubles as the school’s computer teacher, proposes a very strange solution that will generate a huge profit but also result in the destruction of the artwork, leaving Edwin with an ethical dilemma of epic proportions.

This fast-paced, funny, and thought-provoking book is sure to be a hit with Dan Gutman fans.  As is his trademark, he incorporates snappy dialog, snippets of history, and well-drawn characters to create an entertaining read for upper elementary students.  Although Edwin’s situation seems unrealistic, Gutman uses anecdotes from Picasso’s own history (he was once arrested in Paris as a suspect in the famous 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa!) and a fictional trajectory to show the possibility of an unsigned sketch by a world-renowned artist winding up in the back of a basketball poster, and once that is established, it is easy to suspend one’s disbelief and enjoy the story!  This would make for a great whole-class read aloud, especially because Edwin’s indecisiveness is at the core of the story, which will prompt a lot of “what would you do?” discussion.  Gutman includes an afterword called “Facts and Fictions,” which begins “Everything in this book is true, except for the stuff I made up,” and includes further details of Picasso’s life and the theft of the Mona Lisa, which is particularly interesting and timely in light of the recent robbery at the Louvre. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Jamie Steinberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading The Picasso Curse, my advice is to check any purchase you buy at an auction or flea market for hidden treasures. Edwin Hodge goes from elementary school nobody to a household name after he unexpectedly finds a Picasso drawing hidden in a poster he buys of Kobe Bryant. What starts as a simple fun purchase brings fame and fortune that Edwin is not ready for. The Picasso Curse poses the question, what would you do if you found something so unique and precious?

A day at the flea market turns Edwin Hodge’s life upside down. When he finds and buys a signed poster of Kobe Bryant he has no idea what is hidden behind the frame. Upon removing the frame and bringing the poster into school for Show-and-Tell, a little doodle by Picaso falls out. Thinking it’s just nothing special, Edwin considers throwing it out but a chance viewing by his art teacher convinces him that he may have a real Picasso on his hands. Edwin and family head to have the item inspected at a museum only to have it actually authenticated! When word gets out about Edwin’s discovery, a classmate who was set to purchase the poster thinks he should be the rightful owner of the Picasso – as does the flea market merchant who sold it to Edwin. Add in the fact that Edwin’s parents are both out of a job due to a tornado wrecking the store they work at and our pal Edwin is feeling the pressure. He’s left with the difficult decision of whether to hold on to his masterpiece or sell it now to help out his family.

Author Dan Gutman offers a bit of background on the famous painter and even comes up with a realistic way that one of his drawings could have wound up in the hands of a young kid from a small (fictional) town in Illinois. As a reader, I was quickly captivated by Edwin’s predicament. However, I wish we had gotten to see a rendering of said “Picasso drawing” for added visual affect.
Additionally, I was a bit disappointed by the “leave it up to the reader” ending. But as I am an adult, I think younger readers will actually get a kick out of Edwin’s final decision and the opportunity to participate in dinner conversation by posing this quandary to family members.

The Picasso Curse is a quick, fascinating read that will entice those that love a good mystery, a will-they-won’t-they and even fans of a surprise ending. Grab a spot on the couch for a book that will keep middle grade page turners invested in this gripping art adventure.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by thanking Dan Gutman. I am on his FB page and learned about the book from him. Since I had enjoyed his prior book, “The (mostly) true story of Cleopatra’s needle”, I purchased this before the publication date, with an autograph. It never came. I mentioned that on his page. Dan immediately called the store and got one on the way to me! I never asked him to do so but he did so anyway. Did I mention it’s autographed to me? He’s a LOT busier than I am, so I appreciate that!

On to the book. Edwin has been dragged to the flea market by his parents and is bored. He wanders around and finds a signed poster of Kobe Bryant to buy. He remembers to haggle and gets it for half price, $10. He thought he’d take it out of the frame and tape it up, but when he did, a drawing falls out! What should Edwin do now??? Read the book and find out!

In many ways, the book is about a problem many people have, which I haven’t seen addressed often in a book for kids. Or, come to think of it, for adults: decision anxiety. For that alone, I’ll give another star! I enjoyed this book. Kids get almost no exposure to art, and this is a great way to do it. There is a solid section in the book on art history, including that Picasso - PICASSO! - was questioned by the police when the Mona Lisa was stolen! There wasn’t too much there about art technique, which I thought smart. That is going to bore kids, not into art. But that Picasso was suspected to be a thief? (He was innocent, btw!) Oh, now that is interesting! Finally, Gutman does something I wish more authors would do when writing historical fiction: he tells what is real and what isn’t real! While I think that should be an absolute requirement in a book for youth, I wish more authors for adults did this as well!

Definitely recommend. However, it is different from prior books by this author. If you can live with that, you could enjoy this a lot!

[Hope Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a huge Dan Gutman fan. His books are humorous and highly engaging for kids. They are always one of my first go-to book series when I'm trying to help my elementary school students find easy or funny chapter books. Once I can get a kid started on the My Weird School series, they generally speed read their way through the rest of the series.

I was so excited to see a new title....then so disappointed and confused when I read this galley. First, the galley was riddled with so many errors, it was difficult to read. I realize galleys are uncorrected proofs, but rarely do I see this level of editing that still needs to be done. The story itself was difficult. It started by giving some information about Picasso, which was written in a drier and more informational style. It then switches sudden gear and is more of a kid-voice narrator style. Once I figured out this was intentional - providing background information and then jumping to Edwin's actual adventure - it was easier to track. I wish I could also say it made the story better, but this galley really felt like I was reading Dan's original version with no revisions or edits before it was sent to the publisher. I can praise the end of the book - the ending itself was too much of a cliff hanger and I don't think the kids will respond well to it. - but the very end was interesting and informational and written in a very engaging style. It made me wish the end was the whole book - only expanded and written in a Magic Tree House Fact Tracker style.

I'm very much hoping I simply got the wrong galley version or something.

[Ember Moto · Rating 2 out of 5]

young readers will enjoy this story has it invited them to think about what would happen if they discovered an item worth a lot of money. the story delves into how this scenario might not be as great as it first appears. I liked how at the end the author gives a little summery about what parts of the story where true and which where not. I do think that the ending or rather none ending is where this story falls flat. I can see many readers being disappointed and frustrated that the story asks them to decided what happens next rather then the author giving a proper conclusion. I get what the author was trying to do but I think a better solution would have been to write a couple of different options for the ending and have the reader pick from those, like a choose your own adventure book. If you think he choose (blank option) then turn to page 70 if you think he choose (blank option) turn to page 80. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC copy.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Picasso Curse was such a fun read! At first, it feels like Edwin won the lottery, but the discovery of a valuable piece of art brings unexpected pressures and complications. It truly feels like he's been cursed. I really appreciated how Edwin remained cautious and questions people's motives, even though his family could use the money. I especially enjoyed the back matter at the beginning of the book, which dives into the historical theft of the Mona Lisa. I was also stunned to learn about the recent heist at the Louvre Museum where thieves stole $102 million in jewels from the early-to-mid-19th century. Gutman enriches the story with real-life examples of people who've stumbled upon hidden treasures and there are historical photographs, reproductions of the Mona Lisa and other fascinating illustrations. Overall, this was a wonderful blend of fact and fiction.
**A huge thank you to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.**

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor execution of what I believe was a good intention. I think the author was hoping to kindle art appreciation into the readers. But it falls flat. All the information is dumped at the beginning and end in chapters with just the facts, not woven and slowly unveiled through the plot. And yes, the kid was super indecisive and anxious which makes him a very frustrating character. And the idea of destroying art for money seems like a bad plot line to pursue. But don’t worry, we never find out if he does it in the end. Also super annoying. The author is like, what would you do? It doesn’t matter because I’m reading a story about what THIS kid does. I am not a character in the book. Don’t suddenly make me be one. Would not recommend. Masterpiece by Elise Broach is a much better middle grade novel to inspire art appreciation, or The Restorationists series.

Language warning—kid says pissed, dad says “Eff” him.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Edwin discovers a doodle drawing under the Kobe Bryant poster he bought at a flea market, he doesn’t think much of it. The drawing falls out when he brings the poster for show and tell and his art teacher suggests the drawing might be an original Picasso. Things quickly get crazy for Edwin, from people trying to claim the drawing as their own to some low-ball offers to buy the drawing. He briefly loses the storage box with the drawing in a tornado! Edwin must decide what to do with the drawing. The author shares some information about Picasso and art history in this humorous middle grade book.

[Susan Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really fun read for a middle class age group book, mystery, discovery, decisions, discussions, seeking help, ongoing bullying - how things turn to sh.... at times - 'curses' and inspirational brainstorming to solve the dilemma Edwin has been incurring. A true authentic Picasso doodle - has caused so many problems - Edwin wants to burn it - and the results leading up are amazing, offers f $$$$ pour in - ... I liked the ending, what would YOU do - is money everything - or does it cause more problems - Edwin only wants to help his parents - or the larger community - food for thought and discussions - sort of like - write your own ending.....:)

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the art history woven through this story as well as an ending that challenges readers to think about their own values.
When Edwin buys a Koby Bryant poster at a flea market, he sets off an incredible chain of events. Behind that poster was an original Picasso drawing. Readers follow his journey as he figures out what to do with it. I'm not fond of the ending as I'm personally appalled by the option he set up. However, middle grade readers will appreciate the humor and the underlying decisions to be made.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Middle Grade**
Edwin is at a flea market with his parents and he finds a Kobe Bryant poster which he buys for $10. When he gets home & takes it out of the frame, a drawing falls out. At school, his art teacher believes it is a Picasso (though it is not signed). Will this be the answer to his families financial trouble or just more bad news for his family. I was very disappointed in the last 1/4 of the book including the ending. Some background info about Picasso and the Mona Lisa is included.

[Leah Fehr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that when an author comes up with the idea of a book, it’s their job to provide the characters, the setting, the beginning AND the ending. The “what would you do” or “you decide” endings in books bug me so much—that’s not my job as a reader. Until the end, I would have given this four stars for its fast pace, fun facts, and interesting story, so it gets more than one when it’s my turn to choose the ending here.

[Stormi (StormReads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this author in the past, but this one just didn't hit the mark. The ending was not to my liking and if I was a kid I would have been frustrated. Also why do authors these days think it's okay to put the work Fing in a middle grade book. I don't care that it's not the actual work it still has no place in kids books. There are ways of getting around that even if the kid in the story says something like I can't say what my father just said.

2.5 stars.

[Shiloh · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Not for any objections to the content, I just didn't enjoy it very much. I think the plot had a solid concept, but I didn't enjoy any of the characters very much, and the writing quality also made me dislike it. I can see how I would have liked it when I was younger, so I might recommend it for a younger audience.

[Cristian Marrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read. Great lessons on art history, hard times, anxieties, fears, false people and many other things. Gutman does a nice job with the mind of a 12 year old. The ending was, hmmm. You can see for yourself. The only thing I wish was different was the story of the Mona Lisa. It could have been sprinkled throughout all the chapters, instead of being dumped in full in the 2nd chapter.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great book for reluctant--and enthusiastic--readers. Who wouldn't want to find a priceless Picasso behind a $10 Kobe Bryant poster?

I adored how Gutman mashed together fact and fiction with Pablo Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci's lives and art legacy into a fast-paced adventure that feels like it could really happen. As long as you're (un)lucky enough.

Ages 8+

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I loved how Dan Gutman added a bunch of history about famous painters and paintings but still kept the story interesting for a younger reader. And the story also told from a 6 graders point of view had a good moral that kids could take with them and think about in the future.

[Lisa Cain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edwin finds a doodle in the frame of a Kobe Bryant poster he bought at a flea market. When he learns it’s an original Picasso, he and his family are thrilled to learn how much money they could make selling it. That’s when the trouble starts. Edwin has a hard time making decisions, which feels very relatable. This feels like a good read for younger middle grade readers.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anybody who enjoyed the Baseball Card Adventure series, this book will be a hit. Dan Gutman has a way of telling a story to children, that makes adults enjoy it too. This would be a great chapter a night bedtime story if you have a reluctant reader in your house. I highly recommend it.

[Javierthearcnovice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story from Dan Gutman. It’s filled with many scenarios that children face in life and what the consequences may be. I recommend it for any family trying to teach their children about choices and anxiety.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the historical information about Picasso and the Mona Lisa heist. Liked how readers are encouraged to think about how they would handle coming into something that could make them rich. Didn't like the ending, but I think that's a me issue. :)

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun middle grade book! In typical Gutman fashion, it hits many different genres-humor, adventure, and mystery. Art is also a big piece of the story. Plus, it is a quick read, which is perfect for many middle schoolers. I am definitely going to add this book to my middle school library!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book at ALA. Dan Gutman never disappoints. Fun story with some great art history!

[Jquick99 · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star for the ending.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

readers will either love or hate this book because of the ending.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great bk abt Edwin finding a doodle behind a poster. Come to find out the doodle is by Picasso. What should Edwin do with this? So many surprises. #arthistory #adventure

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending is a great conversation starter.