THE WINTERTON DECEPTION by Janet Sumner Johnson

1: FINAL WORD

2023 Whitney Award Finalist

2025 Sakura Medal Middle School Finalist

2025 Teen Readers’ Choice Awards Semi-Finalist

2023 Kirkus Reviews’ Best Middle Grade Book of the Year

2024 Booklist Top 10 Mysteries and Thrillers for Youth

2024-2025 Maine Student Book Award Reading List

2024-2025 New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award Nominee

2024-2025 Hong Kong Battle of the Books Secondary Book List

2023 US Book Show Buzz Book

Bee’s Book Club Pick (Scripps National Spelling Bee)

2023 Kirkus Reviews 150 Most Anticipated of Fall

Kirkus Reviews “Fall Preview 2023: 10 Essential Middle-Grade Books”

★ “A pleasing smash-up of middle-grade mysteries with several meaty loose ends and a surprising final reveal, the true mystery here is how you’ll appease readers while they await the sequel.” —Booklist, Starred Review

★ “[O]vertones of Agatha Christie. . . . Intelligent, intricately plotted, and ultimately moving.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “In this nuanced first-person narrative, clever riddles, high-stakes competition, and fraught family drama keep the pages turning, while keenly rendered characters . . . discover the value of kindness, the harm of preconceived notions, and the folly of equating wealth with happiness.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review 

“I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough—The Winterton Deception had me hooked!” —Jennifer A. Nielsen, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“The enticing combination of spelling bee drama, treasure hunt puzzles, family secrets, and a stunning final twist will keep readers enthralled.” —School Library Journal

Rights Sold: Audio, The Netherlands, Turkey

2: FAULT LINES

“The riddles and clues to finding both Hope’s estranged grandfather and the treasure of a long-missing Jane Austen letter will challenge and stimulate readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

Rights Sold: Audio