Masterpiece (by Elise Broach)

James is a quiet boy living with, and mostly ignored by, his divorced, social-climbing mother and stepfather. Marvin is a beetle living with his supportive, if perhaps overwhelming, family behind the kitchen sink. When James' artist father gives him a pen-and-ink set, Marvin -- who can understand but not speak English -- discovers a talent for art, and makes a tiny, detailed drawing for James, which everyone assumes James did. As they become friends, his drawing brings James to the attention of a curator at the Met, who enlists his aid in catching an art thief -- but James can only do it with Marvin's help.

Take the miniature world elements of The Borrowers, the art mystery of Chasing Vermeer, and the human-bug friendship of The Cricket in Times Square add in suspense, philosophy, and art history, and you get this exceptionally appealing, satisfying page-turner. In the small sub-genre of art mysteries for children, author Elise Borach has produced one of the best yet.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this multifaceted story is the way the interspecies friendship improves and enlarges the lives of both friends, boy and beetle. Marvin expands his horizons and becomes braver and more forceful. James improves his relationship with both of his parents. Though the resolution of the issue of everyone thinking James is an artist seems a little odd, the rest of the book is fast-moving, thought-provoking, and delightful.

Author: Elise Broach
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Publication date: September 1, 2008
Number of pages: 292
Hardcover price: $16.95
Read Aloud: 9
Read Alone: 10