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“A spirited 12-year-old embarks on an action-packed globe-trekking adventure to collect and repatriate stolen artifacts. . . . This story is hilarious, smart, and respectfully rendered, and the writing is accessible while still feeling literary. A thrilling, thoughtful, and layered adventure story with fantastical elements.”

—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“A terrific tale, worthy of its Indiana Jones inspiration. . . .There are surprises aplenty, real danger, and lots of laughs, and Heilig pulls no punches in her thoughtful discussions of museum ethics. . . . Any amateur archaeologist or adventurer-appreciator will adore the brisk pace, delightfully diverse cast, and deepening mystery that whisks readers around the world and into high-stakes situations. Fantastic.”

—Booklist, Starred Review

“An adventure heist that tries to emulate the excitement of Indiana Jones, while adroitly opening their eyes to the problematic issues of smuggling and looting ancient artifacts for tweens who like a rollicking story.”

—School Library Journal

Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker

Written by Heidi Heilig
Published by Greenwillow Books

Cincinnati Lee’s great great (great?) grandfather is famous. His adventures discovering ancient artifacts have been made into movies, and his work is widely respected by museums across the world. The thing is, in that line of work, you’re bound to get cursed. And that leaves your great great (great?) granddaughter to break the curse by returning the artifacts you “preserved.”

Cincinnati’s own adventure begins in the Cosmopolitan Museum in New York City, where her single mom works and Cincinnati has grown up. Soon she learns about the ancient Spear of Destiny—and its potential to right all the wrongs in her family’s past. Or bring about the end of the world. It all depends on whose hands it falls into. Cincinnati must beat two relic hunters to the spear, and her quest will take her to surprising locations throughout the city and even across the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, she’ll make a new friend (which is not the easiest thing to do), make some enemies (surprisingly easy to do), and ultimately learn what makes the world worth saving.

Acclaimed author Heidi Heilig makes a dazzling middle grade debut with an irrepressible hero, a compelling cast of friends and enemies, nonstop action, and a thoughtful approach to viewing our responsibilities to each other and the world around us.

Primary ISBN: 9780063348363
Publication Date: March 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (New York City NY), England (London), France (Paris)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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