Pitchford, Dean. 
NICKEL BAY
New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2013
IL 3-6, RL 5.3
ISBN 039925465X

It’s Christmas time and in the economically depressed town of Nickel Bay, eleven year old Sam Brattle just can’t stay out of trouble. He’s unhappy because his dad’s bakery is struggling to stay open and his mom, having remarried, will be spending the holidays with her new family. And to make matters worse, there were no $100 bills left anonymously by the town’s own secret Santa, Nickel Bay Nick.

While trying to evade the police following an evening of vandalism Sam damages the house of a neighbor, Mr. Wells.  It is revealed that Mr. Wells is Nickel Bay Nick, but he is unable to fill the role due to a broken leg. Sam is offered the chance to become Nickel Bay Nick to compensate for the damages to Mr. Wells’ property. All Sam has to do is learn to be a spy, a burglar and a pickpocket.   NICKEL BAY NICK will warm your heart and give you faith in the potential goodness of others.    (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Book Award nominee, 2015)