How to Steal the Mona Lisa: and Six Other World Famous Treasures

In a town gripped by Mona Lisa Fever, young Mia discovers that her school holds more secrets than she ever imagined. The Royal Family has announced a significant reward for a stolen version of the Mona Lisa, lost for over two centuries. However, Mia's real concern is far closer to home: her beloved art department is facing closure due to lack of funding. Desperate to save the art program, she stumbles upon whispers of a hidden vault within the school's historic building, said to conceal the long-lost painting.

As Mia dives deeper into her quest to uncover the truth, she finds herself surrounded by an array of strange characters, including scheming criminals who are masquerading as school staff. Among them is her former best friend, Jake, whose wild conspiracy theories often lead them into absurd predicaments. This time, he is convinced their headmaster is a lizard person and suspects that Mia's own parents might be “The Fish”—a notorious art thief who has eluded capture for years.

Mia's suspicions about her parents grow stronger as she notices peculiar behaviours: they're taking evening courses in acrobatics, donning tight black jumpsuits, and planning numerous weekend trips to art galleries across the country. Although the evidence seems to mount up, Mia can't bring herself to believe that her parents would be involved in such antics. These wacky and outrageous scenarios lead Mia closer to the possibility that they may know more about the missing Mona Lisa than they let on.

Told through a creative blend of emails, texts, notes, and coded messages, "How to Steal the Mona Lisa" by Bethany Walker takes readers on an art heist adventure filled with laughter and unexpected twists. Accompanied by humorous illustrations by Jack Noel, the book captures the imagination and is guaranteed to charm audiences of all ages.

With a shiny, metallic blue cover that draws attention, this engaging story is perfect for fans of whimsical literature, reminiscent of titles such as Louie Stowell’s "Loki", Tom Gates' adventures, and Pamela Butchart's entertaining narratives. "How to Steal the Mona Lisa" seamlessly combines comedy, mystery, and a touch of art history into a delightful reading experience that will leave readers eagerly flipping the pages to uncover the secrets hidden within Mia’s world.