Outstanding middle grade story with lots of laughs and lots of heart. The main character is special - smart, endearing and strong. The premise is great. It all comes together perfectly! I loved this.

Is there a real Witness Protection Program in the U.S.? Is it successful? What kind of witnesses do they protect? It seems a little far fetched to me, but still fascinating, so I was intrigued when I first read the teaser for Jake Burt’s upcoming release, “Greetings From Witness Protection!” Through NetGalley, MacMillan Children’s Publishing granted me a pre-release copy of the book, which I quite enjoyed.
Navigating the tween and teenage years is difficult even under the most ideal conditions. Adolescents who seem to have it all (friends, activities, good grades, supportive family) become targets for kids who feel slightly “less-than.” Others hide at school from difficult home lives, or at home from the pressures of school. Just getting through each day is a victory for many tweens and teens.
Some kids seem to have everything stacked against them, and main character Nicki Demere is a perfect example. When her grandmother died, Nicki was sent to live in (for lack of a better term) an orphanage (her father was imprisoned and not a present figure in her life); in and out of the homes of several prospective adoptive parents, Nicki felt like she just wasn’t going to “stick” anywhere. Her propensity to steal (and her ability to slip things into her own hands unnoticed) was often a deal-breaker for traditional families, but it is this talent that gets her noticed by a couple of U.S. Marshals who are looking for a very special kid.
Elena Sicurezza “ratted” on her mobster brother, it turns out, and now the U.S. Marshal’s Witness Security Program is protecting her, her husband and young son. One of the Marshals, Janice, explains
“’It used to be we’d change people’s identities, give them new cities, new names, new jobs, new schools, even new appearances. But that’s not enough anymore. Bad people have caught on to how to look, where to look, and what to look for. We have to evolve, and Project Family is one of our strategies.’”
And so, the Sicurezza family of three changes overnight to the Trevor family of four. They all move away from everything they’ve ever known, although the Sicurezza’s have each other, and Nicki (now Charlotte) has no one. Again.
Instead she has to be a convincing actress in the role of a lifetime: as a sister to a kid who isn’t ready to share his parents, as a daughter to people she has just met, and as a run-of-the-mill, middle of the road, unnoticeable, average 13-year old girl. And if she fails? Death, for any one (or all four) of them.
I enjoyed this book, but there were points when I thought it kind of dragged. It was hard to read about this girl, who is besieged with normal teen things like dealing with mean girls, grades, and would-be brothers, but who also has this very weighty issue of keeping her new family alive – it is just a very emotional juxtaposition. In fact, the author does a great job of pulling you into this very safe, light-hearted feeling, and then reminding you that danger could be lurking just around the corner. This might be my favorite passage, and a fantasy of many middle school kids:
“I wonder how much pressure you could lift off new kids at a school if they could say, ‘Sorry, I’d try harder, but the U.S. government ordered me not to be that cool.’”
By the way, the Witness Security Program is real (https://www.usmarshals.gov/witsec/); so far, they have not had any “participant” harmed or killed while under their care.
I would definitely recommend this book – it does revolve around a girl mostly, but many boys will appreciate the “cool” factor of witness protection. Its recommended age range is 10-14, though I think some 9-year olds would be able to handle it – and certainly any interested adults (wink!).

I enjoyed this book. It was a bit outlandish and had a high number of coincidences, but the narrator was charming, strong, and made you want to care for her so much. The action was brisk and the interwoven snippets of what was going on in the mafia's hunt for the family were expertly peppered into the plot. I couldn't help comparing this books to All Rise for the Honorable Perry T Cook, in which another child with an incarcerated parent has a life that requires some suspension of disbelief. This book was more fun and a bit more plausible (not that plausibility is necessary). There is a lot out there on how books can build empathy in kids and this book does an excellent job of entertaining while also making you think about the inner lives of people in a variety of situations.

Nikki Demere is a "throwaway kid" who has been in the foster system since her grandmother died and her father has been in prison. She fully expected her dad to rescue her from foster care, but he never showed up, and the times when she went to foster care, she has been returned. So at the age of thirteen, she is surprised when director Wainwright calls her into her office for a meeting and tells her that she has been chosen to live with a new family. Then, she meets two U.S. Marshalls and knows this is no ordinary family. Nikki becomes part of WITSEC, but not as a witness; she is part of a project to help protect a family in the program from the dangerous Italian mafia-type family that is determined to find and kill them. The Cercatores are looking for a family of three, not four, so Nikki will be there to help the family's cover and also to help the Marshalls watch out for the family since she is street savvy and has some very unusual talents. So, she and the family study their roles and off they go to Durham, North Carolina to enroll in a new middle school and start a new life. Nikki's new name is Charlotte (like the spider) and her brother is Jackson. Jackson is a pain in the neck who hates being in WITSEC and does everything he can to make the program self-destruct. Harriet, the mom, and Jonathan, the dad, are typical parents, except for the fact that Harriet's brother is a mobster who wants her dead. The whole book is a hilarious romp through the eyes of a teen who is determined to save her new family. The stories of bullying and fitting in at middle school are true to life and seem to really represent things that could actually happen with mean girls and curious boys. Middle school readers from grades 5-9 will love this high-interest tale of an unlikely heroine who just wants a family to call her own.

This super fun story is about Nicki, who was raised by her grandmother (a noted thief and pickpocket). Since her grandmother died, she's been living in foster care and has given up on the idea that she might find a real family. But then one day, two officers show up and give her a chance to leave foster care as part of the witness protection program-not as a witness but as a daughter to a family who need to be disguised. I loved this story, which is funny and poignant and mysterious. It moves fast and I really, really hope there's going to be a sequel because Nicki and her new family are worth knowing!

In Jake Burt’s contemporary MG novel, GREETINGS FROM WITNESS PROTECTION!, we meet Nicki Demere, a spunky 13-year-old pickpocket who’s been placed in an unusual predicament: She’s been chosen by the U.S. Government to join a mother, father, and son on the run from the nation’s most notorious mobsters. Will Nicki (aka "Charlotte Trevor”) be able to keep the family safe? Or will she find it impossible to maintain her new identity and thus blow the family’s cover? An engrossingly, face-paced gem of a novel. Highly and enthusiastically recommended.

You just mind find yourself pinching this book from the kid's room and reading it while they're at school (or asleep, as in my case, LOL)! it's a quick read for adults, and a satisfying length for kids, and one that you both will be laughing your way through!

Nikki is as snarky and independent, as all tweens and teens want to be, but underneath is a heart of gold, that is loyal and broken. Both kids and adults will want to be her, or be her best friend! i couldn't help reading it and thinking it's almost an updated version of Annie. In fact there are a few references to it, as the book starts out with Nicki in foster care. No, there's no singing, but there's plenty of modern references, to keep parents on their toes and sending kids off to find the ones they don't know!

Miss Grace adored the book and wanted to know if such a thing really existed (WP yes, kid squad no), and declared she adored Nicki! She finished the book and asked if there was going to be a Book 2 (poor child, she's already figured out that the best books always have sequels! LOL), with more adventures from Nicki! While the book is aimed at the 10-14 yr old crowd, all tweens and teens will enjoy this one! It's hard to believe this is Jake's debut novel! Let's hope it's not his last!

This book comes out next month, so it's perfect for giving as a Fall read!

This book took me by surprise. It starts out with a scene in a foster care setting that was well written and engaging but fairly standard fare for a middle grade book. Nicki, an orphan and a pickpocket, has bounced back and forth from foster care and adopted families multiple times and has landed back in the foster care home at age thirteen. Then, suddenly, Nicki, our plucky and clever heroine, is whisked away to be part of an undercover operation run by US Marshals. She is placed with a NYC mobster family that is being relocated to North Carolina as part of the Witness Protection Program. I loved the build up of drama and suspense as Nicki becomes part of this wanted family. There's a great blend of real life middle school drama as Nicki navigates her way through a new school with this new identity (like many middle schoolers do) and the action and adventure of being on the run from a revenge seeking mobster. I loved the many sides of Nicki from funny and fast talking to nervous and desiring the love of a parent. I recommend this book to 4th-8th graders who like realistic fiction with witty characters and a healthy dose of suspense and action.

I absolutely loved this book. The character Charlotte/Nicki was funny and complex. The family dynamic added drama and intrigue. I cannot wait to share with my sixth graders and wish there was a sequel.

As I write this, I feel like I shouldn't even mention Nicki and just begin with Charlotte's story but I will take the risk.

In and out of foster care after her grandmother passed away and a felon for a father, the perfect new home has been found for Nicki. Elena, now Harriet, is getting a new identity along with her husband and son. "Elena is brave. Very brave. Because of her bravery, many evil men and women are in prison. However, there are other evil people out there who are looking for her, who want to punish her." Here enters Nicki. Become the second child in Harriet and "Jonathan's" new Trevor family in a new town in a new state, North Carolina. Everything is new, even Harriet's engagement ring.

Charlotte has a special knack for stealing. There's some irony here isn't there? Isn't the US government "stealing" Nicki's identity to keep Elena safe? In doing so, they stole every ounce of Elena, Pietro (Jonathan) and Lucas's (Jackson) old life. As you can imagine, this does not bode well for teenager, Jackson. On top of that, he certainly doesn't want a new (old) sister.

Yet, time works its wonders. Charlotte makes friends. Jackson comes to the other side. The Trevors are one. All seems protected until it doesn't.

This story, one I have never "witnessed" before reminds me a little of last year's All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor. Two very different stories, so I think the resemblance is because both books have very unusual plots. It's crime, mystery, family, friendship with a little twist at the end, all wrapped into one great middle grade novel. So try and hold your "pawtuchins" till October 3 for that's the day you can pick up this gripping debut by author, Jake Burt.

Incredible book. I was totally immersed in Greetings From Witness Protection! from the very first page. The whole premise - foster child adopted into family going into the Witness Protection Program - made for a very enjoyable read. I especially liked the spunk of Nikki/Charlotte. I think this is my favorite young adult read in 2017!

A good middle-grade read with a unique premise. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book. I was totally charmed by Nicki's snark and the unique premise of a 13-year-old kleptomaniacal pickpocket being recruited into the Witness Protection Program. Jake Burt managed to create a great balance of humor, suspense, and heart in this story and make it all appealing to tweens, teens, and upper grade schoolers.

Take one angsty, foster-fail adolescent kleptomaniac and add in the Witness Protection Program and weaponry, stir gently and serve this book up to everyone you know who likes a good plot and generous humor.

Having been returned to a foster facility yet again, Nicki Demere is ready to be part of a family for good. When the opportunity to help hide a family in plain sight is offered, she becomes an integral part of the plan. Along the way meet her sulky brother, her new BFF, who is also a gamer of incredible prowess, and a cast of characters you'll love to hate.

Fun, fast-paced read. Intriguing idea that a foster child (and pickpocket) would be placed into a family entering witness protection. While the plot is predictable, the ride is fun. Great pick for reluctant readers and anyone wanting a brief escape from reality.

Will post on my blog on 9 October 2017.

E ARC from Netgalley

New York City kid Nicki has been in foster care since the death of her grandmother, who taught her how to be a pickpocket. It's been hard to find a permanent place with her background and attitude, so she's a bit surprised when she is approached by the marshalls of the Witness Protection Program to join a family. Her father has been released from jail but has never come back to claim her, which helps her make her decision. Not only would she join the Sicurezzas, but they would be unable to send her back to the Center, and all her previous records would be destroyed. Why? Elena Sicurezza worked with her brother, a big shot in the Cercatore family syndicate, but crossed him. In order to better hide the family, their name is being changed, they are moving to the south, and the federal agents feel that adding another child to the family will make them harder to trace. Nicki changes her name to Charlotte and moves into a new house with "Harriet Trevor", "Jonathan", and their son, "Jackson". It's an adjestment, especially since "Charlotte" can't commit any crimes, has to keep a B- average, can't be photographed or use social media, and has to generally lay pretty low. Luckily, new neighbor Britney is friendly, and the two gets along even though Britney warns Charlotte that she isn't popular. Slowly but surely, Charlotte learns to live with the Trevors, get along in school, and come to terms with her own past, which might just be the most dangerous part of the entire relocation.
Strengths: Most middle schoolers secretly wish that they could leave their own families and be someone else, at least part of the time. Following Nicki's story is one way for them to do this. She's a flawed but sympathetic character, and her issues are an intriguing lens through which to view ordinary middle school problems.
Weaknesses: Pretty sure that neither foster care nor real witness protection programs work in real life the way they do in the book. There's some suspension of disbelief necessary to buy into this premise.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, since it was an entertaining, well-written story. This is a fun way to get readers who like realistic fiction interested in spy type books, I think, and might encourage them to go on and read things like Carter's Gallagher Girls books.

Let me tell you a little story. While researching who was going to be doing book signings at BookExpo 2017, I noticed this book. It sounded interesting, so I wrote it into my initial schedule. As I was trying to thin it out, I realized this book was available on NetGalley. So I decided to request it and read it before BookExpo, to decide if I should meet the author or not.

Well, I started to read it during lunch and unofficially extended my lunch, read during the red lights on my drive home and when I got home, I needed to shower, eat and see my family. I decided I didn't care if I smelled, starved and never saw my family again, I HAD to finish this book!

And I did and it was GLORIOUS.

I told my boss at the book store about it. She requested it, received it and read it. I received threatening texts from her. "If this ends the way it looks like it is, I WILL KILL YOU WHEN I NEXT SEE YOU!" Followed by, "You get to live. Are you coming in on Sunday?"

So yes, I saw the author, and told EVERYone I met about how AMAZING this book is. I got a copy for my niece, so she will love me forever. And I got an unsigned copy for me. My boss....well, how was I to know she wanted a copy? Let's just say I'm no longer the favorite employee. :( At least she let me live! :D

I don't want to ruin this for anyone, but let's just say, I teared up, laughed out loud and am praying with everything I have that there is a sequel that is JUST as awesome as this one. My boss is too. So it's not just me who is all starry goo-goo eyed over this book.

So what am I saying? Read the blurb, get this book and fall in love. I would say this is good for middle grade on up. Some violence, no love interest (THANK YOU!), some bullying, but it is handled well. The author is both a parent and a teacher, so the kids come across as real and there are literary references sprinkled throughout which I LOVE. Also, the parents and other adults aren't MIA. Well, the ones you are introduced to aren't.

ALL the stars (since none of the review sites go higher than five, I have to make due with five. Pout.) Recommended for EVERYone.

My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

I absolutely flipping loved this book! She had me when Nicki made all the book character references. Thoroughly enjoyed all the characters and the story! Will be carrying this title in my store, I know a lot of people who will love it!

Humor, danger, adventure... This book has it all. The main character is a likable teen who has been rejected many times and finds out that her father has rejected her again. Yet she still maintains the ability to search for acceptance in her own life. The family that she joins plays along for safety at first. I loved the plot and the characters. I wanted to keep reading--even after the story was done to see what happened to their family next! It was a wonderful tale that just like real life included pain and laughter!

This had its ups and downs. There were parts that were super engrossing, and then there were parts that were just implausible. This is one of those books where I know I'm not the target audience and I'm having a hard time putting myself in that mindset. I would recommend it for the MG readers that are actually that age.