Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker by Heidi Heilig
Summary: Cincinnati Lee’s great great (great?) grandfather is famous. His adventures discovering ancient artifacts have been made into movies, and his work is widely respected by museums across the world. The thing is, in that line of work, you’re bound to get cursed. And that leaves your great great (great?) granddaughter to break the curse by returning the artifacts you “preserved.” Cincinnati’s own adventure begins in the Cosmopolitan Museum in New York City, where her single mom works and Cincinnati has grown up. Soon she learns about the ancient Spear of Destiny—and its potential to right all the wrongs in her family’s past. Or bring about the end of the world. It all depends on whose hands it falls into. Cincinnati must beat two relic hunters to the spear, and her quest will take her to surprising locations throughout the city and even across the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, she’ll make a new friend (which is not the easiest thing to do), make some enemies (surprisingly easy to do), and ultimately learn what makes the world worth saving. Acclaimed author Heidi Heilig makes a dazzling middle grade debut with an irrepressible hero, a compelling cast of friends and enemies, nonstop action, and a thoughtful approach to viewing our responsibilities to each other and the world around us.

An intrepid heroine, a race across the world to break a curse, and a thoughtful story—who could ask for more? In Cincinnati Lee, author Heidi Heilig has created a middle grade character who feels immediately classic and yet refreshingly contemporary. At the heart of the story are Cincinnati’s relationships – with her mother, her best friend, the new friend who challenges her understanding of herself, and the great great (great?) grandfather whose actions kicked off the curse. Cincinnati may not always follow the rules, but her heart’s in the right place as she grapples with big questions about responsibility and relationships. Brimming with action and lively characters, this story also offers lots for readers to think about as they enjoy the fun.

CINCINNATI LEE, CURSE BREAKER is out now.

Bonus: See my reviews of Heidi Heilig’s previous books here.

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