Catch You Later Traitor

From Newbery Medalist Avi comes the thrilling and suspenseful story of an ordinary American family who fall under suspicion.

It’s 1951, and twelve-year-old Pete Collison is a regular kid in Brooklyn, New York, who loves Sam Spade detective books and radio crime dramas. But when an FBI agent shows up at Pete’s doorstep, accusing Pete’s father of being a Communist, Pete is caught in a real-life mystery. Could there really be Commies in Pete’s family? As Pete follows the quickly accumulating clues, he begins to wonder if the truth could put his family’s livelihood—and even their freedom—at risk.

In the tradition of Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?, Don’t You Know There’s a War On?, and Nothing But the Truth, Catch You Later, Traitor tells a funny,
insightful story packed with realistic period detail of a boy in mid-twentieth-century America whose family is caught in the wide net of America’s Red Scare.

Praise for Who Was that Masked Man, Anyway?:
“Avi celebrates our dreams.” —Booklist, starred review

Praise for Sophia’s War:
“Outstanding historical fiction, bringing to dramatic life the human story behind extraordinary events . . . Rich in period detail, the atmospheric prose vividly re-creates old New York.” —School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for City of Orphans:
“Heroic deeds, narrow escapes, dastardly villains, amazing coincidences and a family rich in love and hope are all part of an intricate and endlessly entertaining adventure. Terrific!” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A thought-provoking story about suspicion, trust and a memorable pennant race from a one-time Brooklyn boy.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Suspenseful . . . Authentic period details--such as popular radio programs and the ongoing rivalry between the Dodgers and the Giants--add a colorful backdrop to Pete’s quest as he navigates the murky gray area between truth and fiction. An excellent introduction to the frenzy of the McCarthy era.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“An involving, twisty mystery, grounded by the palpable emotional threat of Pete’s father being taken away. An accomplished historical mystery by one of kid lit’s most reliable craftspeople.” —Booklist

“A thought-provoking story about suspicion, trust and a memorable pennant race from a one-time Brooklyn boy.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Avi, a master of historical fiction, vividly recreates not only the neighborhoods and pop culture of period Brooklyn, but the runaway paranoia that dominated daily life in the early years of the Cold War. With each clue Pete uncovers, the tension picks up, engaging readers in solving the dual mystery of his father’s past and identifying his accuser whose name is kept a well-concealed surprise until the last moment . . . As a mystery, historical fiction, and love letter to 1950s Brooklyn, this novel succeeds on every level.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“Suspenseful . . . Authentic period details--such as popular radio programs and the ongoing rivalry between the Dodgers and the Giants--add a colorful backdrop to Pete’s quest as he navigates the murky gray area between truth and fiction. An excellent introduction to the frenzy of the McCarthy era.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Avi’s tale of one Brooklyn family living in a time of intolerance effectively explores the natures of suspicion, loyalty, and freedom, following a young protagonist who comes to learn the importance of freedom of speech and ‘staying true to your own thoughts.’” —The Horn Book Magazine

“An involving, twisty mystery, grounded by the palpable emotional threat of Pete’s father being taken away. An accomplished historical mystery by one of kid lit’s most reliable craftspeople.” —Booklist

“A thought-provoking story about suspicion, trust and a memorable pennant race from a one-time Brooklyn boy.” —Kirkus Reviews

Brooklyn, New York, 1951.

Twelve-year-old Pete Collison is a regular kid who loves Sam Spade detective books and radio crime dramas, but when an FBI agent shows up at Pete’s doorstep accusing his father of being a Communist, Pete finds himself caught in a real-life mystery. Could there really be Commies in Pete’s family? At the same time, Pete’s class turns against him, thanks to similar rumors spread by his own teacher; even Kat, Pete’s best friend, feels the pressure to ditch him. As Pete follows the quickly accumulating clues, he begins to wonder if the truth could put his family’s livelihood--and even their freedom--at risk.

In the tradition of his Newbery Honor book Nothing But the Truth, Avi’s newest novel tells a funny, insightful story packed with realistic period detail of a boy in mid-twentieth-century America. Its unique look at what it felt like to be an average family caught in the wide net of the Red Scare has powerful relevance to contemporary questions of democracy and individual freedoms.
 

Born and raised in New York City, Avi was educated in local schools before going to the Midwest to complete his education. He is part of a family of writers extending back into the nineteenth century. It was his twin sister--also a writer--who gave him the name Avi, because she was unable or unwilling to use the name his parents had given him--Edward. Avi flunked out of the first high school he attended and was sent to a private school. At the end of his second year, the English teacher informed his parents that he was “the worst student he’d ever had.” Tutoring was required. It was that tutor who got him interested in writing. At first, Avi chose to write for the theater. Not until he had children of his own did he turn to writing for young people. Avi’s first book, Things That Sometimes Happen, was published in 1970. Since then Avi has published seventy-four books, the latest being Catch you Later, Traitor. Avi lives in Clark, Colorado, in a log house high in the Rocky Mountains, with his wife, Linda, who is an inventor. No cell phones. No mail delivery. Just a beautiful, quiet place.