The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity
By Mary Krawczyk,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fun page-turner about famous painting has mystery & history.
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What's the Story?
In THE MONA LISA VANISHES: A LEGENDARY PAINTER, A SHOCKING HEIST, AND THE BIRTH OF A GLOBAL CELEBRITY, the story of the world's most famous painting is told. Chapters alternate between Renaissance Italy and 1911-1914 in France. The book tells a lot about Leonardo Da Vinci's life from birth to death, including how he came to paint the Mona Lisa. Details of Renaissance life are woven in, including architecture, art, family life, gender roles, medicine, politics, and the church. The chapters in 1911-1914 France detail how the Mona Lisa was stolen and the aftermath, investigations, and theories about the theft. Many advances of that time period are explored, including the many innovations in policing and investigative work, journalism, and transportation and aviation. Throughout it all, the story stays focused on the central question. Why is the Mona Lisa so famous? And will the stolen painting ever be found?
Is It Any Good?
This engaging, entertaining nonfiction book about the famous and mysterious painting will keep readers turning the pages. The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of Global Celebrity packs in humor along with history as it successfully navigates two time periods and a varied cast of historical characters. This is author Nicholas Day's first book for children, and he tells a compelling story to young readers in a clear and convincing way. Helquist's quirky black and white drawings add understanding of the time periods and go well with the humor in the storytelling. Readers will be inspired by Da Vinci's broad interests and curiosity. After learning about innovations in art and advances in science, readers may be inspired to learn more or even to try their own projects and experiments. This is a fun, well-told story that deserves a place on middle grade shelves everywhere.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about curiosity in The Mona Lisa Vanishes. Leonardo Da Vinci is remembered as an artist, but what other interest did he pursue? Were you surprised to find out about his other interests? Why or why not?
When the Mona Lisa is stolen, people spread wild stories and conspiracy theories to explain the theft. Even after the actual thief was found and confesses, people create and believe alternate stories. Why do you think that happened? Can you think of other examples, either in your life or in the news, where people wanted to believe a made-up story instead of the truth?
The Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the world, and the book explains how that came to be. What do you think of the Mona Lisa? Do you like it or not? Do you have a favorite painting or other work of art? Why is it your favorite?
Book Details
- Author: Nicholas Day
- Illustrator: Brett Helquist
- Genre: History
- Topics: Adventures , Arts and Dance , History
- Character Strengths: Curiosity , Perseverance
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Random House Studio
- Publication date: September 5, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 14
- Number of pages: 288
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: September 29, 2023
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