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About The Book

When Binny finds some money left behind at an ATM—and then loses it—she unleashes an adventure full of “funny, poignant chaos” (The Wall Street Journal).

Binny Cornwallis is not a thief. Or is she? In one greedy moment, she snatches some bills left behind at an ATM. After all it’s her mother’s birthday, and just think of what she could do with some cash in her never-quite-enough-money household. But of course she has to hide the money—she can’t explain it. And in her tiny house, every hiding place is in danger of discovery. After a few tries, Binny hides it so well she can’t find it again, even after she decides to give it back!

Now, Binny must team up with her best enemy Gareth, who sets out to play detective and figure out who might have taken the money. Meanwhile the next-door neighbor is doing odd things like presenting Binny with a little doll that looks just like her—with her hand in her pocket, just as Binny’s was when she pocketed the cash. Is the witchy neighbor woman putting a spell on Binny?

There’s plenty more going on, as Binny’s older sister Clem has a secret of her own, and her little brother James is having a kung fu clash with his best friend. Mayhem, love, and laughter run wild in this new hilarious Binny adventure.

About The Author

Photograph by Bella McKay

Hilary McKay is the award-winning author of The Time of Green Magic (which received five starred reviews), The Skylarks’ War (which was a Boston Globe Best Book and received three starred reviews), Binny Bewitched (which was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year and received two starred reviews), Binny in Secret (which received three starred reviews), Binny for Short (which received four starred reviews), and six novels about the Casson family: Saffy’s AngelIndigo’s Star, Permanent RoseCaddy Ever AfterForever Rose, and Caddy’s World. She is also the author of The Swallows’ Flight, Rosa by Starlight, and Wishing for Tomorrow, the sequel to Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess. Hilary lives with her family in Derbyshire, England. Visit her at HilaryMcKay.co.uk.

About The Illustrator

Tony Ross has illustrated over 2,000 books that are published all over the world. He has won awards in Holland, Japan, Germany, the United States, France, and the UK. He lives in Rutland, the smallest county in England.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (June 27, 2017)
  • Length: 192 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781481491044
  • Grades: 3 - 7
  • Ages: 8 - 12
  • Lexile ® 700L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

** "With her usual skill and superb comic timing the author brings her all-white cast's brangles to happy, even joyous resolutions. Ross' scribbly grayscale illustrations add suitably frantic notes. Fans will be delighted by these further misadventures of the rumpled but loving—and lovable—Cornwallis clan."

– Kirkus, starred review

** "McKay continues to display her extraordinary gifts (for language, nuance, humor; for capturing human nature and family dynamics) in this third book about the endearingly imperfect Binny Cornwallis."

– Horn Book, starred review

"McKay continues to display her extraordinary gifts (for language, nuance, humor; for capturing human nature and family dynamics) in this third book about the endearingly imperfect Binny Cornwallis."

– Booklist

"The protagonist’s awkward missteps swell with unsophisticated exuberance; this novel might pair well with Jeanne Birdsall’s The Penderwicks or another nouveau classic title."

– School Library Journal

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More books from this author: Hilary McKay

More books from this illustrator: Tony Ross