An unlikely pair of friends takes shape in this illustrated novel (for readers ten and up): Rico, a boy who is slow in the head but brave, sharp, and sensible, and Oscar, frail and fearful of everything but "clever squared." These two junior detectives stumble onto the trail of a child thief prowling Berlin. Their investigation begins with a single strand of pasta found on the sidewalk—one of the few streets Rico can navigate without getting lost. Through Rico's eyes, we enter his decidedly complicated daily life and the special adventure that only true friendship can offer.
Cristina Tersigni, 2013