Framed

The perfect crime becomes a work of art in Framed, Frank Cottrell-Boyce's hilarious and ingenious middle grade novel, now featuring a fantastic new cover from illustrator Steven Lenton. Dylan is the only boy living in the tiny Welsh town of Manod. His parents run the Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel garage. When he's not trying to persuade his sisters to play soccer, Dylan is in charge of the petrol log. And that means he gets to keep track of everyone coming in and out of Manod - what car they drive, what they're called, even their favourite flavour of crisps. But when a mysterious convoy of lorries trundles up the misty mountainside towards an old, disused mine, even Dylan is confounded. Who are these people - and what are they hiding? A story inspired by a press cutting describing how, during World War II, the treasured contents of London's National Gallery were stored in Welsh slate mines. Once a month, a morale-boosting masterpiece would be unveiled in the village and then returned to London for viewing. This is a funny and touching exploration of how art - its beauty and its value - touches the life of one little boy and his big family in a very small town. This edition of Framed includes bonus material and discussion questions from Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and black and white illustrations throughout by Steven Lenton.