What do you think?
Rate this book
The Restorationists #2
Between Flowers and Bones
In a world where paintings become portals and adventure lurks behind every canvas, the young Restorationists discover that every Gift was made to fight the darkness in the second novel in the thrilling middle grade series from the award-winning author of Beneath the Swirling Sky.Twelve-year-old Georgia assumed she would one day be the last Restorationist protecting art from evil forces. So she was thrilled when her cousin Vincent finally joined the family calling.But Vincent’s flashier Gift makes Georgia feel like a sidekick rather than a hero. And things only get more complicated and perilous after he willingly steps into the heart of danger.Will the remnants of the Restorationists’ society fracture under the pressure of the Distortionists’ schemes? Or is Georgia’s Gift really enough to rescue her family, the art world, the Restorationists—and ultimately save the day?
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2024
24 people are currently reading
5287 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Leiloglou
6 books160 followersCarolyn Leiloglou is the award-winning author of the middle grade fantasy series The Restorationists series beginning with Beneath the Swirling Sky (Waterbrook 2023), and the picture book Library’s Most Wanted (Pelican 2020), a 2021 WILLA Award Finalist.
Her picture book manuscript Ruler of the Craft Table was a finalist for the 2018 Katherine Paterson Prize, and her poems and stories have appeared in children's magazines around the world including Highlights, Cricket, The School Magazines in Australia and Clubhouse Jr.
Carolyn lives in a house full of bookworms (also the name of her blog) with her husband Demetrios, their four children, whom she homeschools, and their dog Nugget. You can find Carolyn at www.housefullofbookworms.com and www.carolynleiloglou.com and on social media as House full of Bookworms.
Her picture book manuscript Ruler of the Craft Table was a finalist for the 2018 Katherine Paterson Prize, and her poems and stories have appeared in children's magazines around the world including Highlights, Cricket, The School Magazines in Australia and Clubhouse Jr.
Carolyn lives in a house full of bookworms (also the name of her blog) with her husband Demetrios, their four children, whom she homeschools, and their dog Nugget. You can find Carolyn at www.housefullofbookworms.com and www.carolynleiloglou.com and on social media as House full of Bookworms.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
January 4, 2025
Wow! I loved this one! Cool homeschooled main character for the win!😁
Characters:
Georgia is like my favorite! She's so fun and cool, and getting to see the story from her POV was awesome! I related with her struggle and so wanted to give her a big hug on many occasions.
Vincent is great y'all...he really is just super nice.
Ravi was very interesting in this one and his backstory! Y'all...I don't know what to say.
Themes:
No gift is too small... Everyone has specific skills for specific reasons. It was really a beautiful theme of overcoming jealousy and accepting your limitations and embracing your personal strengths.
Language:
N/A
Romance:
N/A
Magic:
Characters can travel through paintings, but it's a gift you are either born with or not. Not really magic.
Violence/Gore:
Some chases scenes that are super awesome! Nothing super scary or graphic.
Overall:
I loved this book and themes! I can't wait for book 3 in the series! This one was an absolute blast! I can't wait for my sister to finish reading it so we can talk about it!
Recommend for ages 8+
Characters:
Georgia is like my favorite! She's so fun and cool, and getting to see the story from her POV was awesome! I related with her struggle and so wanted to give her a big hug on many occasions.
Vincent is great y'all...he really is just super nice.
Ravi was very interesting in this one and his backstory! Y'all...I don't know what to say.
Themes:
No gift is too small... Everyone has specific skills for specific reasons. It was really a beautiful theme of overcoming jealousy and accepting your limitations and embracing your personal strengths.
Language:
N/A
Romance:
N/A
Magic:
Characters can travel through paintings, but it's a gift you are either born with or not. Not really magic.
Violence/Gore:
Some chases scenes that are super awesome! Nothing super scary or graphic.
Overall:
I loved this book and themes! I can't wait for book 3 in the series! This one was an absolute blast! I can't wait for my sister to finish reading it so we can talk about it!
Recommend for ages 8+
January 11, 2025
Awwww! I love Georgia so much!!💖
Language: N/A.
Violence: Some action. Mentions of characters we've never met dying in the past.
Magic: They can travel through paintings, but it's not really magic, since it's a part of the world and has always been something certain people can do.
This was sooooo good!!! I almost think I might like it even more than the first one, tho Vincent was a pretty great protagonist too, so maybe it's a tie💖😏 I related with Georgia so much tho (and not just because she's homeschooled either). As the youngest of seven I so related with how she felt insignificant compared to Vincent and how it felt like no one noticed her, poor girl! Such a beautiful arc! Where she was in the beginning of the story compared to the end is just wow!💖
Vincent was great too! It was interesting to see him through someone else's eyes and his struggles, I'm a bit worried to see what happens with this😬
And Ravi!! I loved seeing more of him, he's such a confused and confusing little guy! Can't wait to see where he ends up in the story!!! I really want him to make the right choices, I love his character so much💖
Anyway...this story was so great! I enjoyed every second, art and action, and paintings, I mean really, what could be better? Oh, great characters, sarcasm, homeschooling representation, France, heists...you get the point, this series has it all! If you're an artist or art admirer, seriously you must read these books!!! They're AWESOME💖💖💖💖🤩🤩
8+
Language: N/A.
Violence: Some action. Mentions of characters we've never met dying in the past.
Magic: They can travel through paintings, but it's not really magic, since it's a part of the world and has always been something certain people can do.
This was sooooo good!!! I almost think I might like it even more than the first one, tho Vincent was a pretty great protagonist too, so maybe it's a tie💖😏 I related with Georgia so much tho (and not just because she's homeschooled either). As the youngest of seven I so related with how she felt insignificant compared to Vincent and how it felt like no one noticed her, poor girl! Such a beautiful arc! Where she was in the beginning of the story compared to the end is just wow!💖
Vincent was great too! It was interesting to see him through someone else's eyes and his struggles, I'm a bit worried to see what happens with this😬
And Ravi!! I loved seeing more of him, he's such a confused and confusing little guy! Can't wait to see where he ends up in the story!!! I really want him to make the right choices, I love his character so much💖
Anyway...this story was so great! I enjoyed every second, art and action, and paintings, I mean really, what could be better? Oh, great characters, sarcasm, homeschooling representation, France, heists...you get the point, this series has it all! If you're an artist or art admirer, seriously you must read these books!!! They're AWESOME💖💖💖💖🤩🤩
8+
May 28, 2024
It’s not very often in recent literature that we get stories about homeschooled children. As someone who was homeschooled for a large majority of my schooling I found it refreshing and a blessing to see or read someone who has to a certain level my own experiences. The world has made their own opinions on what homeschoolers look like and for the most part they are wrong. But concerning this book Carolyn did a phenomenal job articulating the idea that we all have things we are good at and gifts that are ours, and we can be frustrated when people have skills that we don’t. We have to learn to be a team, learn to use our talents and gifts in partnership with others around us. Carolyn brings us the story but the art is brought by Vivienne To. So thank you to the team who created this piece of art and I cannot wait to see what masterpiece comes next.
July 15, 2024
Another fun book from Carolyn Leiloglou, that I actually can recommend to Christian families. There's no romance, no name calling, the adults are actually helpful.
Although I think Georgia O'Keefe paintings are horrendous, I still appreciate the amount of art that was in this book. If I was really smart, I would look up every painting listed in the back of the book, and be more knowledgable in art.
Although I think Georgia O'Keefe paintings are horrendous, I still appreciate the amount of art that was in this book. If I was really smart, I would look up every painting listed in the back of the book, and be more knowledgable in art.
April 28, 2024
A terrific book two in the creative Restorationists series, with art as a portal for travel within the described paintings themselves. A gripping tale that enhances middle grade readers' appreciation for art and a great teaching tool for schools. Such fun!
September 11, 2024
Despite my excitement about this new release, I keep telling people to be sure to read Beneath the Swirling Sky first before they read Between Flowers and Bones, since they are a series (and book two will be appreciated so much more if you have read book one first!). But unlike many series, the second book has a different protagonist than the first book--and for the audiobook, a different narrator.
I loved getting to know Georgia in this book. I appreciated the struggles and growth of her character. But really, I just loved a chance to hang out with these cousins again--the characters feel like kids who would be my kids' friends.
I always learn so much about art in each of Carolyn's books (unlike my oldest daughter, I did not instantly know which artist was referenced when I heard the book title!).
Thank you, Carolyn, for a book that's wholesome, entertaining, and inspiring for my kids as well as myself!
I loved getting to know Georgia in this book. I appreciated the struggles and growth of her character. But really, I just loved a chance to hang out with these cousins again--the characters feel like kids who would be my kids' friends.
I always learn so much about art in each of Carolyn's books (unlike my oldest daughter, I did not instantly know which artist was referenced when I heard the book title!).
Thank you, Carolyn, for a book that's wholesome, entertaining, and inspiring for my kids as well as myself!
May 16, 2025
Book review is coming soon.
May 18, 2024
I was joking with a friend of mine a couple months ago that the modern landscape of middle grade children's books is—to put it nicely—not particularly inspiring to me. Like lots of parents, I want my kids to read. Perhaps I'm picky, but reading in and of itself is not enough, though. I want my kids to read good books. What makes for a good middle grade novel? In my mind, it's at least the following:
Originality. Plenty of authors take someone else's great ideas and reheat them in the microwave, resulting in something that might be marketable to young readers but is limp, cold in the center, and devoid of value.
Relatable characters. The middle grade years are super tough, and there is incarnational value for my kids to read about characters who feel realistic. The protagonist's struggles make their growth all the more inspiring.
Moral formation. This one is really hard to get right; you can do without it and end up with a fun but fluffy adventure, or you can overdo it and end up with a saccharine, preachy morality tale. If you nail it, though, it becomes the kind of book that makes you, the reader, want to live a better story.
When Carolyn Leiloglou came out with her book Beneath the Swirling Sky last year, I was suitably impressed. It's a Christian fantasy novel for kids, but it's not just applying a moral veneer over some popular secular franchise. The novel has an agenda, but the agenda is to get kids excited about... fine art of all things! It's like if an art appreciation class had a baby with an adventure novel, and the result is actually pretty great.
This year Leiloglou is continuing the adventure in the sequel, Between Flowers and Bones. While the first novel is a nod to the work of Vincent Van Gogh, this one is inspired by the work of Georgia O'Keeffe. The two cousins from the first book show up again with more adventures, more lessons learned the hard way, and more growing up. Over the course of the novel they learn the importance of humility, family, friendship, and forgiveness.
It's a solid follow-up to her first book, expanding the boundaries of her Restorationists world and the limits of Vincent and Georgia's friendship. I know my kids are going to love it!
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of a fair, unbiased review.
Originality. Plenty of authors take someone else's great ideas and reheat them in the microwave, resulting in something that might be marketable to young readers but is limp, cold in the center, and devoid of value.
Relatable characters. The middle grade years are super tough, and there is incarnational value for my kids to read about characters who feel realistic. The protagonist's struggles make their growth all the more inspiring.
Moral formation. This one is really hard to get right; you can do without it and end up with a fun but fluffy adventure, or you can overdo it and end up with a saccharine, preachy morality tale. If you nail it, though, it becomes the kind of book that makes you, the reader, want to live a better story.
When Carolyn Leiloglou came out with her book Beneath the Swirling Sky last year, I was suitably impressed. It's a Christian fantasy novel for kids, but it's not just applying a moral veneer over some popular secular franchise. The novel has an agenda, but the agenda is to get kids excited about... fine art of all things! It's like if an art appreciation class had a baby with an adventure novel, and the result is actually pretty great.
This year Leiloglou is continuing the adventure in the sequel, Between Flowers and Bones. While the first novel is a nod to the work of Vincent Van Gogh, this one is inspired by the work of Georgia O'Keeffe. The two cousins from the first book show up again with more adventures, more lessons learned the hard way, and more growing up. Over the course of the novel they learn the importance of humility, family, friendship, and forgiveness.
It's a solid follow-up to her first book, expanding the boundaries of her Restorationists world and the limits of Vincent and Georgia's friendship. I know my kids are going to love it!
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of a fair, unbiased review.
August 19, 2025
As Georgia and Vincent continue their training with Georgia’s parents, Georgia grows increasingly jealous and unappreciated. Vincent’s Gift seems so much more important than hers, and her parents seem so enamored with how fast Vincent is catching on. When her parents leave them a training assignment, Georgia decides it isn’t worth doing. She wants to be out actually helping. She wishes someone could train her, but the only other person she knows of with her Gift is Aunt Adelaide. The number of Distortions seem to be on the rise. And then Ravi shows up announcing that Adelaide needs her and Vincent to steal a painting to keep the leader of the Distortionists off her back. And she’s holding a painting of Vincent’s hostage. When Georgia and Vincent go to find her parents and get help rather than cave to Adelaide’s demands, they can’t find them. Have her parents been taken by Distortionists? Will she and Vincent have to steal the painting like Adelaide says, or is there another way?
I like the switch of perspective to Georgia’s point of view in this one. Thankfully, her extreme jealousy doesn’t last too long, and she’s able to focus on the bigger picture and find a way to work with Vincent. Vincent is also still feeling so new to this world and like he doesn’t have the training he needs. Both of the do a lot of growing in this book, and learn important things about themselves, working together, and what matters most. The author subtly weaves in a Christian response to Georgia’s sense of value issues. Ravi also gets more of a backstory and character development in this book. And it was interesting to learn how he ended up with Adelaide. Even though this world is fantasy, a lot of the lessons Georgia and Vincent learn are important for readers to think about as well. Lots to chew on, especially about where your value as a person comes from. The author introduces a huge number of artists and paintings through the story, and she talks in the back about the amount of research that went into figuring out which paintings Georgia and Vincent could travel through in different museums. It sounds like it was a ton of work! There’s a list of all the paintings in the back of the book so readers can look them up later. If you can’t tell from the title of this book, Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings take center stage in this book and the kids travel through a lot of them. It’s a good thing that there’s another book in this series coming out very soon, as there’s still a lot of loose ends at the end of this book.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There’s violence threatened. The kids face danger in a couple paintings. The worst injury is a sprained ankle. A bunch of killings in the past of Restorationists is talked about without talking about details of how they were killed for the most part, a fire is mentioned in one case.
Ethnic diversity: Georgia is Hispanic American, Vincent is white American and has an adopted Chinese American sister who isn’t in this book much. Ravi is Indian (like Asian Indian).
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: Jealousy and feeling less important are themes talked about.
I like the switch of perspective to Georgia’s point of view in this one. Thankfully, her extreme jealousy doesn’t last too long, and she’s able to focus on the bigger picture and find a way to work with Vincent. Vincent is also still feeling so new to this world and like he doesn’t have the training he needs. Both of the do a lot of growing in this book, and learn important things about themselves, working together, and what matters most. The author subtly weaves in a Christian response to Georgia’s sense of value issues. Ravi also gets more of a backstory and character development in this book. And it was interesting to learn how he ended up with Adelaide. Even though this world is fantasy, a lot of the lessons Georgia and Vincent learn are important for readers to think about as well. Lots to chew on, especially about where your value as a person comes from. The author introduces a huge number of artists and paintings through the story, and she talks in the back about the amount of research that went into figuring out which paintings Georgia and Vincent could travel through in different museums. It sounds like it was a ton of work! There’s a list of all the paintings in the back of the book so readers can look them up later. If you can’t tell from the title of this book, Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings take center stage in this book and the kids travel through a lot of them. It’s a good thing that there’s another book in this series coming out very soon, as there’s still a lot of loose ends at the end of this book.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There’s violence threatened. The kids face danger in a couple paintings. The worst injury is a sprained ankle. A bunch of killings in the past of Restorationists is talked about without talking about details of how they were killed for the most part, a fire is mentioned in one case.
Ethnic diversity: Georgia is Hispanic American, Vincent is white American and has an adopted Chinese American sister who isn’t in this book much. Ravi is Indian (like Asian Indian).
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: Jealousy and feeling less important are themes talked about.
September 4, 2024
“Between Flowers and Bones” is an original, fun, and clean middle-grade fantasy story. One thing that makes this story so unique is that it incorporates art by Georgia O’Keefe (and Vincent Van Gogh in book 1.) So fun! And educational!
If you’ve read the first book in this series (Beneath the Swirling Sky) then you’ll be happy to know this takes place shortly after. If you haven’t read book 1, I’m certain you’ll still enjoy this one.
Georgia’s perspective is easy to sink into and she is incredibly relatable. I connected much better with her than I did with Vincent in book 1. And overall, I enjoyed this story a bit better as well. I especially like the shared message that each of us has unique and God given talents and gifts.
The vivid descriptions and illustrations are fabulous and add so much to the atmosphere. With themes of friendship, family, and forgiveness, this book (and series) is loaded with depth, history, art, and adventure.
First Line: Georgia landed on her feet next to Vincent, who stood gawking at the swirling clouds flowing over the landscape.
Series: The Restorationists, book 2
Genre: Children’s Fantasy, Children’s Adventure, Middle Grade fiction
Author: Carolyn Leiloglou
Page Count: 288
Reading Age: 8-12
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% mine.
If you’ve read the first book in this series (Beneath the Swirling Sky) then you’ll be happy to know this takes place shortly after. If you haven’t read book 1, I’m certain you’ll still enjoy this one.
Georgia’s perspective is easy to sink into and she is incredibly relatable. I connected much better with her than I did with Vincent in book 1. And overall, I enjoyed this story a bit better as well. I especially like the shared message that each of us has unique and God given talents and gifts.
The vivid descriptions and illustrations are fabulous and add so much to the atmosphere. With themes of friendship, family, and forgiveness, this book (and series) is loaded with depth, history, art, and adventure.
First Line: Georgia landed on her feet next to Vincent, who stood gawking at the swirling clouds flowing over the landscape.
Series: The Restorationists, book 2
Genre: Children’s Fantasy, Children’s Adventure, Middle Grade fiction
Author: Carolyn Leiloglou
Page Count: 288
Reading Age: 8-12
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% mine.
December 27, 2025
Another fantastic story in this middle grade series!
I enjoyed Georgia’s character arc and her journey to accept her own gifts and talents. At times she was a tad annoying in her self-doubt, I just wanted her to feel brave and confident. But by the end, we see growth from her in that area.
I find the ability to move between paintings an interesting concept.
I also appreciated the brief Christian and uplifting messages for children.
Definitely recommend this one!
Content Guide:
Language-None, though the main children characters speak a bit harshly to one another
Sexual Content: None
Violence/gore: Mild-kidnapping, characters get chased, mild peril
Substance use: none
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: Christian-Moses is mentioned, other Biblical references, Christian messages
Other: Characters have special abilities that involve art (author makes it clear it is not magic)
I enjoyed Georgia’s character arc and her journey to accept her own gifts and talents. At times she was a tad annoying in her self-doubt, I just wanted her to feel brave and confident. But by the end, we see growth from her in that area.
I find the ability to move between paintings an interesting concept.
I also appreciated the brief Christian and uplifting messages for children.
Definitely recommend this one!
Content Guide:
Language-None, though the main children characters speak a bit harshly to one another
Sexual Content: None
Violence/gore: Mild-kidnapping, characters get chased, mild peril
Substance use: none
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: Christian-Moses is mentioned, other Biblical references, Christian messages
Other: Characters have special abilities that involve art (author makes it clear it is not magic)
August 14, 2024
Picking up shortly after the close of the previous book, Vincent is still becoming accustomed to his gifts. Meanwhile, Georgia feels sidelined, by all the attention that Vincent is getting, but as the danger grows will Georgia's gift be the key to saving her family?
A fun sequel that dives right back into the story, but this time from Georgia's perspective. And I really liked that creative choice. It was fun to see the Restorationists from her perspective having grown up among them her whole life. I also liked getting to see another side of Grampa, but one of my favorite characters in this book had to be Mr. Ortiz.
An action-packed read, rich in art history, with a solid message of how each of us have unique gifts that are all important and useful no matter how flashy, which was also tied in nicely with themes of faith and family. A great addition to the middle grade series, that left me wanting more!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A fun sequel that dives right back into the story, but this time from Georgia's perspective. And I really liked that creative choice. It was fun to see the Restorationists from her perspective having grown up among them her whole life. I also liked getting to see another side of Grampa, but one of my favorite characters in this book had to be Mr. Ortiz.
An action-packed read, rich in art history, with a solid message of how each of us have unique gifts that are all important and useful no matter how flashy, which was also tied in nicely with themes of faith and family. A great addition to the middle grade series, that left me wanting more!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 19, 2025
This was a fun addition to The Restorationists series. I enjoyed the fact that Georgia (who is homeschooled) is the protagonist in this one.
February 22, 2025
Absolutely loved it! We can't wait for the third!
January 11, 2025
The art world is full of secrets, especially when kids are seen jumping off the frame of a Monet and leaping into the canvas of a Van Gogh. Known as the Restorationists, these kids use the Gift to travel through paintings and pop out into any gallery in the world.
Gifted twelve-year-olds Georgia and Vincent have been tasked with a simple but special mission: ensure fine art affects viewers in a positive way. If a famous painting emits negativity, it may be distorted—sabotaged by their rivals, the Distortionists. It’s not on the canvas where these evil paintbrushes strike, but within the paintings themselves. In the two kids go, restoring works of art across international galleries and museums.
But when Vincent suddenly goes missing, Georgia takes it upon herself to find him. Trailed by a mysterious boy and fellow traveler named Ravi, the boy knows where Vincent is and offers a trade. Ravi will help restore Vincent if Georgia uses her Gift to help Ravi pull off an art heist.
Georgia must rely on her Gifted family, including Grandpa, to help overcome Ravi’s scheme and get Vincent back. Along the painted path, Georgia may just uncover how to restore Ravi too. Until then, she’ll have to play the role of the art thief. Guess Georgia should’ve worn black today!
Told from Georgia’s perspective, author Caroline Leiloglou writes with a sense of fun and wonder as her characters hop between paintings with a smirk. The dangers that lurk between the frames offer plenty of intrigue, and her anti-villain Ravi steals the show. Ravi is a well-written highlight, portrayed as a mischievous and conflicted youth who is slowly won over as Georgia and the others warm up to his softer side.
Characters using their unique Gift to help each other and the world can offer young readers a beautiful parallel for their own gifts in the Body of Christ. Self-worth is addressed throughout the narrative, using influences like Grandpa to remind Georgia of the importance of her Gift to the whole group, even when others may seem to have a higher calling. The touching moment provides an effective parable for Paul’s lesson: “But God has carefully designed each member and placed it in the body to function as he desires. A diversity is required, for if the body consisted of one single part, there wouldn’t be a body at all!” - 1 Corinthians 12:18-19 TPT.
This second installment in “The Restorationists” series carries on Leiloglou’s tradition from the first while also starting a new one. The first book, “Beneath the Swirling Sky,” was told from Vincent’s point of view and featured painstaking, real-life attention to detail regarding famous paintings and where readers could find them. In a refreshingly bold move, Leiloglou has chosen to switch protagonists with each installment. All the while, she continues to build her stories around compelling kids set in her signature worldwide inventory of galleries and her wealth of knowledge of fine art.
Kids will want to see each painting featured in this adventure for themselves, making “Between Flowers and Bones,” by Carolyn Leiloglou and illustrated by Vivienne To, an excellent resource for in-class and homeschool unit studies on art history. Highly recommended.
Gifted twelve-year-olds Georgia and Vincent have been tasked with a simple but special mission: ensure fine art affects viewers in a positive way. If a famous painting emits negativity, it may be distorted—sabotaged by their rivals, the Distortionists. It’s not on the canvas where these evil paintbrushes strike, but within the paintings themselves. In the two kids go, restoring works of art across international galleries and museums.
But when Vincent suddenly goes missing, Georgia takes it upon herself to find him. Trailed by a mysterious boy and fellow traveler named Ravi, the boy knows where Vincent is and offers a trade. Ravi will help restore Vincent if Georgia uses her Gift to help Ravi pull off an art heist.
Georgia must rely on her Gifted family, including Grandpa, to help overcome Ravi’s scheme and get Vincent back. Along the painted path, Georgia may just uncover how to restore Ravi too. Until then, she’ll have to play the role of the art thief. Guess Georgia should’ve worn black today!
Told from Georgia’s perspective, author Caroline Leiloglou writes with a sense of fun and wonder as her characters hop between paintings with a smirk. The dangers that lurk between the frames offer plenty of intrigue, and her anti-villain Ravi steals the show. Ravi is a well-written highlight, portrayed as a mischievous and conflicted youth who is slowly won over as Georgia and the others warm up to his softer side.
Characters using their unique Gift to help each other and the world can offer young readers a beautiful parallel for their own gifts in the Body of Christ. Self-worth is addressed throughout the narrative, using influences like Grandpa to remind Georgia of the importance of her Gift to the whole group, even when others may seem to have a higher calling. The touching moment provides an effective parable for Paul’s lesson: “But God has carefully designed each member and placed it in the body to function as he desires. A diversity is required, for if the body consisted of one single part, there wouldn’t be a body at all!” - 1 Corinthians 12:18-19 TPT.
This second installment in “The Restorationists” series carries on Leiloglou’s tradition from the first while also starting a new one. The first book, “Beneath the Swirling Sky,” was told from Vincent’s point of view and featured painstaking, real-life attention to detail regarding famous paintings and where readers could find them. In a refreshingly bold move, Leiloglou has chosen to switch protagonists with each installment. All the while, she continues to build her stories around compelling kids set in her signature worldwide inventory of galleries and her wealth of knowledge of fine art.
Kids will want to see each painting featured in this adventure for themselves, making “Between Flowers and Bones,” by Carolyn Leiloglou and illustrated by Vivienne To, an excellent resource for in-class and homeschool unit studies on art history. Highly recommended.
August 2, 2024
I loved this second installment in Carolyn Leiloglou's The Restorationists series. The first title had been honestly such a pleasant surprise, and this one was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I was worried it was maybe not going to live up to my expectations, as I'm not a fan of Georgia O'Keefe's art in the slightest, but I ended up enjoying this one even more.
The story starts a little while after the catastrophic events of the first, and this time readers get to follow Vincent's cousin, Georgia's perspective. She's an interesting character, has had quite a different childhood than Vincent did, and she's struggling with feelings of bitterness and jealousy over the fact that she's all of a sudden not the only child restorationist in the family any longer. I enjoyed how realistic and authentic all of her reactions were to everything coming her way, but also the way she had a big heart for her family and the monstrous responsibility they've been born with.
The story twists and turns in ways the reader won't see coming, and I found it was a wonderful, immersive read that was often hard to put down. It's nice to have another middle grade title that I can wholeheartedly recommend to Christian families to pick up for their young readers, as the content was actually clean, and the focus was on family and friendships, and working together. There's also a couple of lovely faith elements included that almost brought a tear to my eye.
Another winner for me from Carolyn Leiloglou, and now I'm left waiting (not so) patiently for the third title in the series. This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Thanks so much to Waterbrook for allowing me to advance read and review this title!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher (Waterbrook) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.
The story starts a little while after the catastrophic events of the first, and this time readers get to follow Vincent's cousin, Georgia's perspective. She's an interesting character, has had quite a different childhood than Vincent did, and she's struggling with feelings of bitterness and jealousy over the fact that she's all of a sudden not the only child restorationist in the family any longer. I enjoyed how realistic and authentic all of her reactions were to everything coming her way, but also the way she had a big heart for her family and the monstrous responsibility they've been born with.
The story twists and turns in ways the reader won't see coming, and I found it was a wonderful, immersive read that was often hard to put down. It's nice to have another middle grade title that I can wholeheartedly recommend to Christian families to pick up for their young readers, as the content was actually clean, and the focus was on family and friendships, and working together. There's also a couple of lovely faith elements included that almost brought a tear to my eye.
Another winner for me from Carolyn Leiloglou, and now I'm left waiting (not so) patiently for the third title in the series. This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Thanks so much to Waterbrook for allowing me to advance read and review this title!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher (Waterbrook) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.
August 28, 2024
** “The world is full of doubters who think the only real things are the things they can see and touch. They things they can understand.” **
Carolyn Leiloglou’s “Between Flowers and Bones” picks up immediately after “Beneath the Swirling Sky,” the first novel in her Restorationists series.
Cousins Georgia and Vincent are training to better their skills as Travelers — their family makes up a long line of Travelers (as explained in the first novel: “Traveling is stepping into a painting. Getting to walk around in the mind of an artist”). Their jobs are trying to maintain the safety and purity of art from the Distortionists, who try to steal and destroy art.
So Vincent is trying to build up his skill as an Artist and Georgia as a Navigator. The problem: Vincent seems so much better at his even better gift, which leads Georgia to feel jealous and unworthy.
But when they get drawn once again into the unknown, hidden world between paintings, they must try to work together as a team to find what is missing and defeat the evil Distortionists.
Once again Leiloglou develops a fun and suspenseful plot filled with action and intensity. She brings back her fun and quirky characters who have real worries and concerns, yet are brave and dig deep for the strength they need. She also fills “Between Flowers and Bones” with several great themes, like we all have the exact gifts we need; the importance of teamwork; the impact of feeling useless; and sometimes it is hard to ask for and accept help.
Fans of books like “The International House of Dereliction” by Jacqueline Davies and James Patterson’s “Minerva Keen’s Detective Club,” and even Kiersten White’s Sinister Summer series
will love “Between Flowers and Bones.”
The talented Vivienne To adds fun illustrations to add to the story, which is due out Sept. 10.
Five stars out of five.
WaterBrook provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Carolyn Leiloglou’s “Between Flowers and Bones” picks up immediately after “Beneath the Swirling Sky,” the first novel in her Restorationists series.
Cousins Georgia and Vincent are training to better their skills as Travelers — their family makes up a long line of Travelers (as explained in the first novel: “Traveling is stepping into a painting. Getting to walk around in the mind of an artist”). Their jobs are trying to maintain the safety and purity of art from the Distortionists, who try to steal and destroy art.
So Vincent is trying to build up his skill as an Artist and Georgia as a Navigator. The problem: Vincent seems so much better at his even better gift, which leads Georgia to feel jealous and unworthy.
But when they get drawn once again into the unknown, hidden world between paintings, they must try to work together as a team to find what is missing and defeat the evil Distortionists.
Once again Leiloglou develops a fun and suspenseful plot filled with action and intensity. She brings back her fun and quirky characters who have real worries and concerns, yet are brave and dig deep for the strength they need. She also fills “Between Flowers and Bones” with several great themes, like we all have the exact gifts we need; the importance of teamwork; the impact of feeling useless; and sometimes it is hard to ask for and accept help.
Fans of books like “The International House of Dereliction” by Jacqueline Davies and James Patterson’s “Minerva Keen’s Detective Club,” and even Kiersten White’s Sinister Summer series
will love “Between Flowers and Bones.”
The talented Vivienne To adds fun illustrations to add to the story, which is due out Sept. 10.
Five stars out of five.
WaterBrook provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
November 27, 2024
BETWEEN FLOWERS AND BONES is the second installment in the Restorationists trilogy, a delightful, fast-paced middle grade series in which paintings are portals and art has the power to sway real-world events. Each of the kids in this series has their own special gift, which they must use as team to defeat the Distortionists, a criminal network that seeks to control viewers’ minds by altering famous paintings from the inside. The first book, BENEATH THE SWIRLING SKY, features Vincent, a reluctant young artist who must rescue a group of kidnapped children (including his little sister), who are being forced to train and work as Distortionists. BETWEEN FLOWERS AND BONES continues the story from the perspective of Vincent’s cousin Georgia (named after Georgia O’Keefe). Georgia is a Navigator, able to memorize and plot out routes through portal paintings around the globe. She grew up thinking she was the last Restorationist kid in the world, so at first she’s happy to train alongside her cousin Vincent. But she soon grows jealous of his flashier artistic gifts, leading to a rift that has dire consequences for their whole family.
I love Georgia O’Keefe’s art, so it was great fun to “travel” through many of O’Keefe’s paintings in this book, as well as many other wonderful artworks across time and continents. Although the plot of this sequel didn't grip me as much as the first book did, I enjoyed young Georgia’s spunky personality and her background as a homeschooled kid who has traveled the world (like me!). This is definitely a “bridge book” in the series: it further develops the plot threads of BENEATH THE SWIRLING SKY, but intentionally leaves the reader in suspense for the next installment (BEYOND THE FAR HORIZON, releasing in 2025). I’m anxious to find out how this story ends, and to experience the perspective of Vincent and Georgia’s friend Ravi as the main POV character.
I love Georgia O’Keefe’s art, so it was great fun to “travel” through many of O’Keefe’s paintings in this book, as well as many other wonderful artworks across time and continents. Although the plot of this sequel didn't grip me as much as the first book did, I enjoyed young Georgia’s spunky personality and her background as a homeschooled kid who has traveled the world (like me!). This is definitely a “bridge book” in the series: it further develops the plot threads of BENEATH THE SWIRLING SKY, but intentionally leaves the reader in suspense for the next installment (BEYOND THE FAR HORIZON, releasing in 2025). I’m anxious to find out how this story ends, and to experience the perspective of Vincent and Georgia’s friend Ravi as the main POV character.
August 21, 2024
Now that she's not the only Restorationist kid that needs training, Georgia finds herself in the shadow of Vincent, her 2nd cousin, whose Gift is much flashier than hers. Her own parents spend more time with him than they do with her, and she begins to doubt the usefulness of her Gift. But she tries to remember that they need to work as a team to defeat the Distortionists and Vincent's rogue aunt, who wants Georgia and Vincent to help her steal a painting.
I greatly enjoy the world Leiloglou has set up in this series and had a lot of fun returning to it. This book brings some cheer-worthy moments regarding peripheral characters and sets up a time-sensitive future danger. If the protagonist had been a bit different, this would have definitely been another 5-star read. As I read, I felt more and more like her issues with Vincent were being sort of trumped up to give us a moment of clarity and change, which all felt a little too much like Georgia was too wise for her age (even with the help from an older gentleman). It's not that her issues with feeling overlooked and unneeded are unrealistic for her age (or any age, really), but the way she overcomes them seems a bit unlikely.
The plot, though, and the worldbuilding of this fantasy story are engaging and simple to follow. The ending feels just a smidge unresolved and/or rushed, but overall, I am so excited for the continuation of this series. I recommend this book to anyone (young and old) interested in fantasy fiction with a Christian worldview.
Thank you to Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing me a copy of this book to review.
I greatly enjoy the world Leiloglou has set up in this series and had a lot of fun returning to it. This book brings some cheer-worthy moments regarding peripheral characters and sets up a time-sensitive future danger. If the protagonist had been a bit different, this would have definitely been another 5-star read. As I read, I felt more and more like her issues with Vincent were being sort of trumped up to give us a moment of clarity and change, which all felt a little too much like Georgia was too wise for her age (even with the help from an older gentleman). It's not that her issues with feeling overlooked and unneeded are unrealistic for her age (or any age, really), but the way she overcomes them seems a bit unlikely.
The plot, though, and the worldbuilding of this fantasy story are engaging and simple to follow. The ending feels just a smidge unresolved and/or rushed, but overall, I am so excited for the continuation of this series. I recommend this book to anyone (young and old) interested in fantasy fiction with a Christian worldview.
Thank you to Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing me a copy of this book to review.
July 24, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.
I saw this book and thought it looked interesting. Even though I am an adult I like to read this type of book to help promote for good Middle school readers. This is book two and it would have helped to have read book one in the series. In saying this I was still able to follow the story but felt I was missing things.
In this series the main characters have the gift of being able to go into paintings and travel to different places via the paintings. They have different gifts and in this book Georgia is a navigator who can choose the best route to different paintings and places. When I was a child I read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and I wanted to go through my wardrobe. I believe today's child reading these books will want to be able to travel via a painting.
Their are also a sense of good and evil. With the restorationists being on the side of good with the mission of restoring distorted paintings. Georgia feels her gift is less than her cousins and feels its all about him. I love how the author shows how sometimes a person can feel insignificant but in the big picture all are important.
I would happily recommend this book to middle school aged children.
I saw this book and thought it looked interesting. Even though I am an adult I like to read this type of book to help promote for good Middle school readers. This is book two and it would have helped to have read book one in the series. In saying this I was still able to follow the story but felt I was missing things.
In this series the main characters have the gift of being able to go into paintings and travel to different places via the paintings. They have different gifts and in this book Georgia is a navigator who can choose the best route to different paintings and places. When I was a child I read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and I wanted to go through my wardrobe. I believe today's child reading these books will want to be able to travel via a painting.
Their are also a sense of good and evil. With the restorationists being on the side of good with the mission of restoring distorted paintings. Georgia feels her gift is less than her cousins and feels its all about him. I love how the author shows how sometimes a person can feel insignificant but in the big picture all are important.
I would happily recommend this book to middle school aged children.
September 23, 2024
Between Flowers and Bones is a delightful sequel to Beneath the Swirling Sky, combining a creative and engaging world of painting travel with a beautiful look into a character’s struggle to overcome pride and learn to understand her place in a larger team. I loved getting to experience this story through Georgia’s perspective—her character is deeply relatable and brought a unique outlook on the world.
Like Beneath the Swirling Sky, Between Flowers and Bones opens the door into not only a fantasy reality where every painting is a portal, but also the wondrous world of art available to those of us who unfortunately can’t Travel. While reading, I was constantly looking up the paintings described and have gained a deeper appreciation and awareness of various styles of art!
Unlike much literature written for children and teenagers, Between Flowers and Bones depicts families in all their beauty and complexity. While it doesn’t gloss over the difficulties every family faces, it rejects the all-too-common archetypes of utterly unhelpful parents and incompetent adults, rather showing how powerful families united by love and trust can be.
I would highly recommend this book, though I do strongly suggest reading Book 1 first for a lot of useful background information.
Like Beneath the Swirling Sky, Between Flowers and Bones opens the door into not only a fantasy reality where every painting is a portal, but also the wondrous world of art available to those of us who unfortunately can’t Travel. While reading, I was constantly looking up the paintings described and have gained a deeper appreciation and awareness of various styles of art!
Unlike much literature written for children and teenagers, Between Flowers and Bones depicts families in all their beauty and complexity. While it doesn’t gloss over the difficulties every family faces, it rejects the all-too-common archetypes of utterly unhelpful parents and incompetent adults, rather showing how powerful families united by love and trust can be.
I would highly recommend this book, though I do strongly suggest reading Book 1 first for a lot of useful background information.
October 27, 2025
Between Flowers and Bones is the second book in Leiloglou’s The Restorationists series. Having read the first book, Between the Swirling Sky over a year ago, I wish there had been a synopsis of the previous book. However, I was able to remember the plot premise quite quickly.
Leiloglou maintained the fantasy world she had built in the first book - being able to travel from one place to another through pictures.
In Between Flowers and Bones, Georgia is the main character but all of the previous major characters are included in this book. In this volume, Georgia and Vincent are not only fighting Distortionists, they are trying to find missing loved ones. Not all of the plot points are wrapped up by the end of the book, so I look forward to reading the next one.
Leiloglou includes extensive author notes at the end of the book clarifying much of what happens in the story, including information about the art in the book.
Between Flowers and Bones would make a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for older elementary and middle school students.
I received a complimentary copy of Between Flowers and Bones. This is my honest review.
Leiloglou maintained the fantasy world she had built in the first book - being able to travel from one place to another through pictures.
In Between Flowers and Bones, Georgia is the main character but all of the previous major characters are included in this book. In this volume, Georgia and Vincent are not only fighting Distortionists, they are trying to find missing loved ones. Not all of the plot points are wrapped up by the end of the book, so I look forward to reading the next one.
Leiloglou includes extensive author notes at the end of the book clarifying much of what happens in the story, including information about the art in the book.
Between Flowers and Bones would make a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for older elementary and middle school students.
I received a complimentary copy of Between Flowers and Bones. This is my honest review.
May 20, 2024
Georgia is a twelve-year-old Restorationist. It is up to her, and what is left of her family, to protect art from the evil Distortionists. Restorationists are able to walk through paintings like portals, allowing them to travel inside of any painting in order to protect them. In the second installment we find Georgia and her cousin Vincent who have recently escaped from their aunt Adelaide who has turned against them. The two must find common ground when they discover Adelaide is still alive and needs their help this time. Will they join forces with the enemy or do the right thing and work together to bring her down?
This was such a fun and enlightening book. While reading this with my 10 year-old daughter it has sparked her interest in artwork and famous painters. It has also shined a light on certain historical significance such as the Minutemen and their contributions to history. My daughter stated she can not wait for the 3rd book!
*Thank you to Carolyn Leiloglou, Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah l WaterBrook for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.
This was such a fun and enlightening book. While reading this with my 10 year-old daughter it has sparked her interest in artwork and famous painters. It has also shined a light on certain historical significance such as the Minutemen and their contributions to history. My daughter stated she can not wait for the 3rd book!
*Thank you to Carolyn Leiloglou, Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah l WaterBrook for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.
May 6, 2024
I loved this book. This book in the series is written from Georgia's perspective. For the longest time, Georgia has been the only child in the family who has had a Gift. Now that Vincent also has a Gift, his gift as an Artist is better than hers as a Navigator. Georgia is tired of everyone focusing on training Vincent, but the adults won't let them go on any real missions. When tragedy strikes their family, Georgia and Vincent are the only ones who will be able to help and must learn to work together to bring back their missing family members. Will Georgia and Vincent be able to help their family and the Restorationists organization at large, or will they fail and inadvertently let the Distortionists win? This is such a great middle grades series that those who love The Chronicles of Narnia will enjoy.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 21, 2024
I was excited to receive an ARC of this second book of The Restorationists (publication date is September 2024). This sequel of Beneath the Swirling Sky did not disappoint! Carolyn Leiloglou continues to develop her world and characters, taking on the point of view of Georgia who was the secondary character in the first book. Georgia's struggle with feeling overlooked, and her jealousy of her cousin Vincent's gift, and how she works through it plays out really well. It felt believable, and it gives the reader something easy to relate to, which makes it quite easy to suspend disbelief about this alternate reality where paintings are portals. (And honestly, I really wish I could get from place to place through paintings!)
The ending does wrap up pretty quickly, and there is a definite lead-up to book three (not quite a cliffhanger, but some need for resolution). Overall, though, I loved this second book, and I'm already looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy.
The ending does wrap up pretty quickly, and there is a definite lead-up to book three (not quite a cliffhanger, but some need for resolution). Overall, though, I loved this second book, and I'm already looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy.
July 2, 2025
Georgia, knows that her family is special, that they have a mission protect art from evil forces. Meeting her estranged cousin Vincent was wonderful and reassuring that she wasn't the only hope. But his gift is bigger than her's and she's feeling like a sidekick rather than a hero. Especially since her parents are giving him more attention as they try to train him. But when a routine mission ends without her parents returning, Georgia has to wrestle with asking for help and using her own gift to rescue them.
Why I started this book: Book talked the first book before I read the second, so I knew that I had to read it fast so that everyone else could read it. Part of my middle school summer....
Why I finished it: Charming series that is dealing with real issues of jealousy, belonging and ethics in an age appropriate, non boring way. Plus, I just want to travel through art and space like Georgia and her family. It would be so cool!
Why I started this book: Book talked the first book before I read the second, so I knew that I had to read it fast so that everyone else could read it. Part of my middle school summer....
Why I finished it: Charming series that is dealing with real issues of jealousy, belonging and ethics in an age appropriate, non boring way. Plus, I just want to travel through art and space like Georgia and her family. It would be so cool!
November 10, 2025
BETWEEN FLOWERS AND BONES:
What if someone could travel through paintings? What if traveling through paintings was not only possible but also necessary for Restorationists to save the world from the darkness created by the evil Distortionists?
Welcome to the world of Vincent and Georgia - Restorationist cousins in training who are learning to use their gifts to play their part against the Distortionists.
If you loved Book One (Beneath the Swirling Sky), you will equally love this second book in the trilogy. While Book One was told from Vincent’s perspective, Book Two is told from Georgia’s. As Georgia struggles with her navigational gifting that seems less important than other gifts (like Vincent’s artistic genius), we struggle right along with her. But as it turns out, her gifting might just be what is needed to succeed in this particular mission.
Book Two ends with a cliffhanger and I am most eager to begin Book Three.
What if someone could travel through paintings? What if traveling through paintings was not only possible but also necessary for Restorationists to save the world from the darkness created by the evil Distortionists?
Welcome to the world of Vincent and Georgia - Restorationist cousins in training who are learning to use their gifts to play their part against the Distortionists.
If you loved Book One (Beneath the Swirling Sky), you will equally love this second book in the trilogy. While Book One was told from Vincent’s perspective, Book Two is told from Georgia’s. As Georgia struggles with her navigational gifting that seems less important than other gifts (like Vincent’s artistic genius), we struggle right along with her. But as it turns out, her gifting might just be what is needed to succeed in this particular mission.
Book Two ends with a cliffhanger and I am most eager to begin Book Three.
October 7, 2024
4* - Another delightful adventure through art work! In this installment, Georgia takes center stage. Her namesake, Georgia O'Keeffe, along with a fair number of other fine artists, provide the paintings for Traveling. The physical book is fun to read with Corridor sections printed on darker paper and original illustrations sprinkled throughout. I appreciate how these books combine the power of art with moral lessons learned and soft touches of faith. This series deserves to be in more hands!
P.S. While this could be read as a standalone, I think you'll enhance your enjoyment by reading it after Beneath the Swirling Sky.
P.S. While this could be read as a standalone, I think you'll enhance your enjoyment by reading it after Beneath the Swirling Sky.
May 22, 2024
This series is so creative! The second book switches perspectives to Georgia as she struggles with feelings of inadequacy compared to her gifted cousin and family. She learns to work better with a team, but also to value her own role in the team.
Similar to the first book, it is a geat way to introduce art to children through an interesting and well told story. As a former classroom teacher, I would have loved to offer this to middle-grade students! I frequently looked at the art reference in the back to find out more about the paintings.
Another thing I enjoy about the story is the international flare, introducing Spanish speaking culture in the US, France, and a little bit about India.
Similar to the first book, it is a geat way to introduce art to children through an interesting and well told story. As a former classroom teacher, I would have loved to offer this to middle-grade students! I frequently looked at the art reference in the back to find out more about the paintings.
Another thing I enjoy about the story is the international flare, introducing Spanish speaking culture in the US, France, and a little bit about India.
June 30, 2024
Book 2 was the perfect continuation from book 1, and I loved that it was from Georgia's viewpoint, especially since she is homeschooled. There was enough mysery in the story to keep me turning the pages, and yet it was satisfying to read as Georgia worked through her emotions and jealousy of her cousin's new "fame." She came to the right decisions in the end. There are a couple of Gospel sprinkles in it, but not enough for me to label this a Christian novel.
Once again I learned a lot about art and artists, which is a bit of a "gap" in my own homeschool education. It gives me appreciation for a world that I am not really a part of.
This books leaves you on a cliff hanger, so we can't wait for book 3 to come out!
Once again I learned a lot about art and artists, which is a bit of a "gap" in my own homeschool education. It gives me appreciation for a world that I am not really a part of.
This books leaves you on a cliff hanger, so we can't wait for book 3 to come out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews