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Connect the Dots
Is there anything more random than middle school? Sixth graders Oliver and Frankie don't think so. Their first few weeks have been full of weirdness-lunchtime thievery, free beef jerky, and Matilda, the mysterious new girl who knows everything about them, but has a lot to learn about making friends.
But what if none of it is random at all? What if a reclusive genius is keeping an eye on them and making sure the tiny pieces of his puzzle fall into place, one by one, until strange, seemingly unconnected incidents snowball totally out of control? Imagine the odds! First a cardamom shortage takes down the school bully. Then a giant dog leads to some extracurricular spying. Soon Oliver is being followed and Matilda is hacking the FBI. And by the time they discover a gang of angry clowns and the world's largest game of Mousetrap, an insanely brilliant plan has been set in motion that will change their lives forever.
Connect the Dots is an intricately plotted story about the power of human connection and a chain of "coincidences" so serendipitous, they must be destiny at work.
But what if none of it is random at all? What if a reclusive genius is keeping an eye on them and making sure the tiny pieces of his puzzle fall into place, one by one, until strange, seemingly unconnected incidents snowball totally out of control? Imagine the odds! First a cardamom shortage takes down the school bully. Then a giant dog leads to some extracurricular spying. Soon Oliver is being followed and Matilda is hacking the FBI. And by the time they discover a gang of angry clowns and the world's largest game of Mousetrap, an insanely brilliant plan has been set in motion that will change their lives forever.
Connect the Dots is an intricately plotted story about the power of human connection and a chain of "coincidences" so serendipitous, they must be destiny at work.
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First published May 5, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 7, 2022
A really cute middle grade novel with a fantastic cast of characters.
March 2, 2024
Connect the Dots is a brilliant, funny, high-action mystery about belonging, friendship, loneliness, and the weight of genius. This intricately plotted middle grade story is perfect for fans of Liar and Spy and The Parker Inheritance, readers patient enough for the gradual unraveling of a rewarding mystery.
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/connec...
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/connec...
April 14, 2021
Middle grade mystery. In the prologue, a young genius named Preston Oglethorpe tries to use his mathematical prowess to orchestrate a string of events and give his crush Floss the perfect day. The rest of the book takes place 25 years later, when the local middle school has been renamed in Preston's honor, but the man himself has disappeared. Oliver and Frankie are starting 6th grade and they soon befriend the new girl Matilda. She's a bit strange, very into technology and also very blunt. She informs Oliver that he is being followed by two black Lincoln town cars and together they work to determine what's going on. Meanwhile Frankie lucks into a great dog-walking gig, which becomes a perfect cover for casing the streets for the Lincolns. As it becomes more clear that their very lives are in danger, the three kids race against the odds to find Preston before the evil villains do.
This is a fast-paced mystery that empowers the kids without the trope of missing parents. Matilda's dad is an FBI agent who travels a lot, and her mother is usually around; Oliver's mom is trying to restart her life after her husband left, and Frankie's parents run a catering company and also have a set of young twins that take up most of their energy. While the story is a bit unbelievable at times (it reads like a flowchart almost, this happened because this happened, which made another thing happen), it is nonetheless a fun adventure with fairly high stakes.
This is a fast-paced mystery that empowers the kids without the trope of missing parents. Matilda's dad is an FBI agent who travels a lot, and her mother is usually around; Oliver's mom is trying to restart her life after her husband left, and Frankie's parents run a catering company and also have a set of young twins that take up most of their energy. While the story is a bit unbelievable at times (it reads like a flowchart almost, this happened because this happened, which made another thing happen), it is nonetheless a fun adventure with fairly high stakes.
May 5, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Scholastic, Inc through Edelweiss Plus.
Calabrese creates a middle grade novel full of humor, friendship, a bit of suspense and problem solving along with the chaos theory. Two middle school friends - Oliver & Frankie - experience a typical start to sixth grade. A new girl moves in, Matilda, and makes this a trio. Together they work to solve the mystery of why people are trailing Oliver and his mom. They link it to a missing genius who used to know Oliver's mom and Matilda's dad.
Fun read with characters readers will relate to. Interesting concept to prove out the butterfly wing theory in most of the actions in this story.
Calabrese creates a middle grade novel full of humor, friendship, a bit of suspense and problem solving along with the chaos theory. Two middle school friends - Oliver & Frankie - experience a typical start to sixth grade. A new girl moves in, Matilda, and makes this a trio. Together they work to solve the mystery of why people are trailing Oliver and his mom. They link it to a missing genius who used to know Oliver's mom and Matilda's dad.
Fun read with characters readers will relate to. Interesting concept to prove out the butterfly wing theory in most of the actions in this story.
April 23, 2021
4.5
Keith Calabrese is becoming one of my favorite middle grade authors. I've read both of his books and loved them. The friendship between Oliver, Frankie, and Matilda made my heart happy. Matilda with her direct, no-nonsense attitude was my favorite. I look forward to reading more by Keith.
Keith Calabrese is becoming one of my favorite middle grade authors. I've read both of his books and loved them. The friendship between Oliver, Frankie, and Matilda made my heart happy. Matilda with her direct, no-nonsense attitude was my favorite. I look forward to reading more by Keith.
December 14, 2022
This was a gem! I don’t know what I was expecting from the cover, but it was not a spy thriller, which is really what the story is. And I was tickled pink as the story / caper progressed, and I realized what I was reading was a super sophisticated, incredibly well-plotted middle grade tale of intrigue, subterfuge, double-crosses and more!
The prologue is super important. I know literary agents and publishers supposedly don’t like prologues, but this one rocked it.
It starts from the point of view of a kid, Preston Oglethorpe, who you won’t see or hear from as a kid again. When we do get his POV again, he’s grown, an adult genius. He went to the same middle school as the main characters of the story (Frankie, Oliver and Matilda) and left in the seventh grade for MIT. This is kind of a rare POV for a middle grade book to feature as the start to a story (one you don’t encounter again until he’s an adult). But in this case, it works super-duper well.
In any case, Preston’s still in middle school when he predicts, using math, the perfect day for his middle school crush, Floss. There’s a “Beep” on his watch after every amazing moment, right down to the very last … angry clown running down the street? Actually, no. Life throws an unforeseen angry clown at Preston, which doesn’t ruin Floss’ day, but devastates Preston. The last we hear from him, he’s determined to throw life a clown or two of his own. His best friend Jimmy’s distinctly unnerved that his friend is messing with forces in the universe he may not fully understand. And Floss? She’s … clueless.
Then the caper starts. Frankie Figge and Oliver Beane (deliberately named after foods?) enter middle school, but the pain of separation is not far on the horizon. Oliver’s mom is losing the house and she’s planning on moving to another state. At orientation, the boys learn that Preston, while a genius and alumni of the middle school in a Chicago suburb, has been missing for a long while. Matilda is late to the first day, but it’s calculated: she can read people like books. She rubs Oliver the wrong way, but Frankie is more than willing to let her join their duo, making it an awkward trio, even after she hacks their chat and inserts herself.
Next we’re introduced to the two men surveilling Oliver and his mom – and you learn, his mom’s not the “mark.” You’re left to surmise, Oliver is. Exactly what they’re after, you can guess. (Hint hint!)
And finally, there’s the middle school janitor’s POV. Who the reader quickly learns is actually… and here I’m just going to stop, because if I don’t, I’ll give too much away.
Suffice it to say, this is a sophisticated caper, and counter-caper, and it’s right up there with the other spy guru books I love to read by authors such as Stuart Gibbs and James Ponti, but it hasn’t gotten quite as much love (or at least, not that I’ve seen). So here you go, Mr. Calabrese! I LOVED this book and I can’t wait to see what else you write.
Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
The prologue is super important. I know literary agents and publishers supposedly don’t like prologues, but this one rocked it.
It starts from the point of view of a kid, Preston Oglethorpe, who you won’t see or hear from as a kid again. When we do get his POV again, he’s grown, an adult genius. He went to the same middle school as the main characters of the story (Frankie, Oliver and Matilda) and left in the seventh grade for MIT. This is kind of a rare POV for a middle grade book to feature as the start to a story (one you don’t encounter again until he’s an adult). But in this case, it works super-duper well.
In any case, Preston’s still in middle school when he predicts, using math, the perfect day for his middle school crush, Floss. There’s a “Beep” on his watch after every amazing moment, right down to the very last … angry clown running down the street? Actually, no. Life throws an unforeseen angry clown at Preston, which doesn’t ruin Floss’ day, but devastates Preston. The last we hear from him, he’s determined to throw life a clown or two of his own. His best friend Jimmy’s distinctly unnerved that his friend is messing with forces in the universe he may not fully understand. And Floss? She’s … clueless.
Then the caper starts. Frankie Figge and Oliver Beane (deliberately named after foods?) enter middle school, but the pain of separation is not far on the horizon. Oliver’s mom is losing the house and she’s planning on moving to another state. At orientation, the boys learn that Preston, while a genius and alumni of the middle school in a Chicago suburb, has been missing for a long while. Matilda is late to the first day, but it’s calculated: she can read people like books. She rubs Oliver the wrong way, but Frankie is more than willing to let her join their duo, making it an awkward trio, even after she hacks their chat and inserts herself.
Next we’re introduced to the two men surveilling Oliver and his mom – and you learn, his mom’s not the “mark.” You’re left to surmise, Oliver is. Exactly what they’re after, you can guess. (Hint hint!)
And finally, there’s the middle school janitor’s POV. Who the reader quickly learns is actually… and here I’m just going to stop, because if I don’t, I’ll give too much away.
Suffice it to say, this is a sophisticated caper, and counter-caper, and it’s right up there with the other spy guru books I love to read by authors such as Stuart Gibbs and James Ponti, but it hasn’t gotten quite as much love (or at least, not that I’ve seen). So here you go, Mr. Calabrese! I LOVED this book and I can’t wait to see what else you write.
Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
September 26, 2024
After reading a very intense book right before this, I wanted to read something fun and light-hearted but still interesting. And this book didn't disappoint!!
This book combines mystery with humor and some far-fetched ideas. Definitely a fun read for everyone. We first meet Preston Oglethorpe, a young genious who uses his mathematical skills to orchestrate a string of events to give his crush the best day. We then jump 25 years later where we meet Oliver, Frankie and Matilda who all go to Oglethorpe Middle School. Matilda is a bit strange but she believes a mystery is afoot and with her excellent surveillance and crime solving skills, prove to Oliver and Frankie that something is wrong and many people aren't who they say they are. We then go on the journey with them to save those they love who might be in danger and try to find Preston, who has been missing for over 20 years, before the evil villians do.
This is a very fast-paced mystery and will keep your attention but you might be able to guess certain aspects before they are revealed. There are some ideas that may seem a bit unbelievable at times but overall it is a really fun adventure and a great time.
This story also brings about topics like belonging, friendship, loneliness, predictability of life, the weight of genious, and the complications of parents often keeping things from their children. We see 3 very different family dynamics in our three characters and most readers will probably relate to one of them.
This book really is a good time and made me laugh and smile throughout. It also leaves you questioning: "Is everything by chance or is everything set up like dominos being knocked down by the butterfly effect? Can someone actually control or impact the outcome with one simple action?"
This book combines mystery with humor and some far-fetched ideas. Definitely a fun read for everyone. We first meet Preston Oglethorpe, a young genious who uses his mathematical skills to orchestrate a string of events to give his crush the best day. We then jump 25 years later where we meet Oliver, Frankie and Matilda who all go to Oglethorpe Middle School. Matilda is a bit strange but she believes a mystery is afoot and with her excellent surveillance and crime solving skills, prove to Oliver and Frankie that something is wrong and many people aren't who they say they are. We then go on the journey with them to save those they love who might be in danger and try to find Preston, who has been missing for over 20 years, before the evil villians do.
This is a very fast-paced mystery and will keep your attention but you might be able to guess certain aspects before they are revealed. There are some ideas that may seem a bit unbelievable at times but overall it is a really fun adventure and a great time.
This story also brings about topics like belonging, friendship, loneliness, predictability of life, the weight of genious, and the complications of parents often keeping things from their children. We see 3 very different family dynamics in our three characters and most readers will probably relate to one of them.
This book really is a good time and made me laugh and smile throughout. It also leaves you questioning: "Is everything by chance or is everything set up like dominos being knocked down by the butterfly effect? Can someone actually control or impact the outcome with one simple action?"
October 5, 2024
I like the chain reactions ( chaos theory )
April 3, 2020
"Frankie didn't get mad very often, so he wasn't very good at it."
This heartwarming and hilarious middle grade in the kind of book that will keep you thinking long after you've finished reading it. Themes of family, fate, relationships, loyalty, secrets, and mystery make this the kind of fast paced action packed book that will be read and re-read. I especially liked each tween character and how they interacted with each other and the adults in their lives. This book is a beautiful tapestry of the joy and pain of middle school life, three very smart kids and how they solve a mystery.
This heartwarming and hilarious middle grade in the kind of book that will keep you thinking long after you've finished reading it. Themes of family, fate, relationships, loyalty, secrets, and mystery make this the kind of fast paced action packed book that will be read and re-read. I especially liked each tween character and how they interacted with each other and the adults in their lives. This book is a beautiful tapestry of the joy and pain of middle school life, three very smart kids and how they solve a mystery.
December 24, 2020
This is a great middle grade read (think of James Ponti's Framed). Sixth grade is weird for everyone. But it's especially weird for Oliver, Frankie, and Matilda who are trying to figure out why Oliver is being tailed by unmarked cars, why a super genius is missing, and what Matilda's dad is doing with his super secret FBI investigations. This book dares to ask is it all by chance or is everything set up like dominos being knocked down by the butterfly effect? Can someone really control outcomes with simple actions?
March 20, 2020
First of all, if you haven't read Keith Calabrese's first novel, A Drop of Hope, then you're missing out. If you have, you'll notice a similar theme in this book, evident by this quote from a prominent character: "...who we are is the sum of the tiny, random choices we make every day. It all adds up."
It's a story about friendship that also serves as a reminder that we are all connected, whether a "reclusive genius" is working behind the scenes or not.
It's a story about friendship that also serves as a reminder that we are all connected, whether a "reclusive genius" is working behind the scenes or not.
June 21, 2020
Interesting story about human connections and chance.
Oliver and Frankie are finding middle school to random - but is it? Weirdness around every corner including a new girl, Matilda, who seems to know a lot about them. But if all of this is not random or by chance. What if everything good that has been happening is all part of some plot that a reclusive genius has planned out. And why them? The three work together to try and solve the mystery.
Oliver and Frankie are finding middle school to random - but is it? Weirdness around every corner including a new girl, Matilda, who seems to know a lot about them. But if all of this is not random or by chance. What if everything good that has been happening is all part of some plot that a reclusive genius has planned out. And why them? The three work together to try and solve the mystery.
July 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! The friendship between Oliver, Frankie, and Matilda was so sweet. This was a lighthearted middle grade with some serious undertones. I appreciated the tone of this story and I would highly recommend it if you can get your hands on it!
July 27, 2020
Wonderful book using mystery, investigation, logic and discovery. Very creative, fun read. Favorite quote: “ ....Floss wanted to show him who we are is the sum of tiny, random choices we make every day. It all adds up.”
October 11, 2020
Read for elementary school library....my students will enjoy this book though it can be confusing at times. The writing is great for high level 5th grade readers. Average readers might struggle with some of the concepts. Lots of characters - can get confusing.
January 3, 2021
This book reminded me of some of my favorites from childhood: The Westing Game and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I was expecting more of a puzzle book, but found this absolutely delightful.
May 16, 2020
Another stellar book by Mr. Calabrese. A mystery, new friendships, and family. Perfect for the middle grade crowd.
July 1, 2020
Great little mystery set in two generations--for fans of The Parker Inheritance
February 22, 2021
Fun characters, great adventure, and a little mystery combine to make one awesome book!
July 4, 2021
I really liked this one. It was fun, clean, lots of action, lots of characters and all the different plot points converging. It somewhat reminded me a bit of Holes by Sachar.
August 14, 2021
A really amusing sci-if mystery for early middle schoolers. Funny dialogue, a decent mystery and realistic family relationships. This has something for everyone. Quick read.
Grades 4 and up
Grades 4 and up
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May 12, 2020What if you could map out every possible effect, taking into account the tiniest variables? Even better, what if you could use math to do quickly, and perfectly, every time?
All that's backstory, though, for "Connect the Dots." Best friends Oliver and Frankie just started middle school, and are hoping for popularity or, at the very least, to avoid humiliation. Which is more than enough to deal with, but Oliver is worried that he and his mom are going to have to move, since his dad left and his mom is having trouble finding work. Frankie feels more or less like hired help at his house, where twin toddler siblings and catering-from-home dad always need something from him. And, on top of that, the peculiar new girl in town just sort of picked them to be her friends.
Madison is entirely aware of how weird she seems to other people. The fact is, Madison is entirely aware of way too much, and while that type of observational personality may help her dad as an FBI agent, it doesn't make it any easier to assimilate into yet another new school. When she notices that there are strange men in black cars following Oliver every day, the three of them find themselves trying to figure out a problem that defies belief, and asks the question: What are the odds?
This funny sci-fi adventure follows a fun premise to a satisfying conclusion. It will make readers think about coincidence and conspiracy, but in the end, even if you can use math to solve almost everything, you can't always account for people.
All that's backstory, though, for "Connect the Dots." Best friends Oliver and Frankie just started middle school, and are hoping for popularity or, at the very least, to avoid humiliation. Which is more than enough to deal with, but Oliver is worried that he and his mom are going to have to move, since his dad left and his mom is having trouble finding work. Frankie feels more or less like hired help at his house, where twin toddler siblings and catering-from-home dad always need something from him. And, on top of that, the peculiar new girl in town just sort of picked them to be her friends.
Madison is entirely aware of how weird she seems to other people. The fact is, Madison is entirely aware of way too much, and while that type of observational personality may help her dad as an FBI agent, it doesn't make it any easier to assimilate into yet another new school. When she notices that there are strange men in black cars following Oliver every day, the three of them find themselves trying to figure out a problem that defies belief, and asks the question: What are the odds?
This funny sci-fi adventure follows a fun premise to a satisfying conclusion. It will make readers think about coincidence and conspiracy, but in the end, even if you can use math to solve almost everything, you can't always account for people.
October 25, 2020
I struggled a little with this one. Engaging enough story, although I found the Preston Oglethorpe character and the events surrounding him were just too unbelievable to fully enjoy the story.
I also don't think the bad guy was defined enough. Oliver calls him a "sinister imposter" around three quarters through the book, but he hadn't done anything sinister or even revealed what he wants at that stage. Things escalate pretty quickly after that. Exactly what he wanted remained pretty unclear and nebulous.
On the positive side, I loved Matilda's character. Seeing all the falling dominoes in the "imagine the odds" situations was fun and there was a good dose of humour in the book. Interestingly, my 11yo daughter was happy with it, despite it being confusing, because "it all resolved in the end".
I also don't think the bad guy was defined enough. Oliver calls him a "sinister imposter" around three quarters through the book, but he hadn't done anything sinister or even revealed what he wants at that stage. Things escalate pretty quickly after that. Exactly what he wanted remained pretty unclear and nebulous.
On the positive side, I loved Matilda's character. Seeing all the falling dominoes in the "imagine the odds" situations was fun and there was a good dose of humour in the book. Interestingly, my 11yo daughter was happy with it, despite it being confusing, because "it all resolved in the end".
January 24, 2025
I rate it with 3 stars because I feel that the start is too slow for you to connect quickly with the story, the first 150 pages were absolutely boring and completely unnecessary, what the author worte in that 150 pages could havebeen summarized in 10 pages, we have 50 entire pages of just the characters talking of random things, completely boring.
Aside from the bad, the second half of the book is very interesting, the way everything just falls right in place and how it is all connected is simply incredible, I actually liked pretty much the subplots of Matilda and Oliver, their background stories are pretty good, and how "Kaplan" works at the back of the characters is onne of the best things the author could have added, a secret organization existing in the shadows, hidden from the eye, simply perfect.
Aside from the bad, the second half of the book is very interesting, the way everything just falls right in place and how it is all connected is simply incredible, I actually liked pretty much the subplots of Matilda and Oliver, their background stories are pretty good, and how "Kaplan" works at the back of the characters is onne of the best things the author could have added, a secret organization existing in the shadows, hidden from the eye, simply perfect.
September 10, 2025
This book was a little difficult to read with too many characters and change in scenes. I’m glad I gave it multiple chances and continued reading because the ending was more impressive and interesting than the start.
I would recommend this book to upper primary students who are keen on solving mysteries.
Favourite quotes:
🔴Who we are is the sum of the tiny, random choices we make every day. It all adds up.
🔴When things were really bad, when it counted the most, he showed up. He threw himself in front of a bullet. The smartest man in the world did the dumbest thing he could possibly do. Because when you love someone, it doesn’t matter how smart you are. You’re always going to wind up thinking with your heart.
I would recommend this book to upper primary students who are keen on solving mysteries.
Favourite quotes:
🔴Who we are is the sum of the tiny, random choices we make every day. It all adds up.
🔴When things were really bad, when it counted the most, he showed up. He threw himself in front of a bullet. The smartest man in the world did the dumbest thing he could possibly do. Because when you love someone, it doesn’t matter how smart you are. You’re always going to wind up thinking with your heart.
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June 5, 2024This book was kind of strange. It wasn't fast-paced enough for the mystery-loving kids, but it also didn't have enough character development to be a character study. I'm not sure how much of the innuendo/how many of the references elementary students would get. I'm also not sure if it was the audiobook format or the text itself, but I think children would be confused by the constantly shifting perspectives. There was a brief mention of alcohol and a situation at the end in which an adult protagonist punches another character with no reckoning with this decision. It was not inappropriate, but I think it would be difficult to get students to be interested in this book.
November 24, 2025
I'm a mom of a 4th grader-chose this book for a mystery book project. He couldn't finish the book and after reading a few chapters with him I can understand why-the physics terms are way too advanced, there's way too much dialogue, the plot is confusing and seems unbelievable as well. Not sure why this book has gotten so many good reviews. Very frustrating as now we have to choose a new book for his class project which is due in a week...
Son's comment: HELP MEEEEEEEEEE AHHHHHHHH THIS IS A REALLY BAD BOOK!!!! I AM DYING!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Son's comment: HELP MEEEEEEEEEE AHHHHHHHH THIS IS A REALLY BAD BOOK!!!! I AM DYING!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
July 14, 2022
THE BOOK IS SOOOO…. GOOD!!! While I was reading it, my friend thought it was a activity book. 😂😂😂 Ha, ha ha! But you never judge a book by its cover! Anyway, the book is real good. With Preston and all sorts of confusing thing, Matilda, Oliver and Frankie will come to the rescue! Though I cannot figure out which one is Oliver and which on is Frankie on the back of the book. 🤨 But it doesn’t matter. I rate an obvious 5 stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery that was truly about connecting all of the dots. I loved the scientific theories that were involved, the friendship between kiddos, and their adventure to figure out what was going on. I think this would be perfect for sixth graders as those are the main characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the adult love story in the book, but I’m not sure it would resonate with kids as much, nor would they get all of the humor.
January 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this lively, smart middle-reader – a story of friendship and spy stuff centered around, of all things, chaos theory. I loved the relationship between the three kids, and especially loved the character Matilda.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews