YA Book Council discussion

Our April Official Selection is Masterpiece by Elise Broach.

Looks fun... like The Metamorphosis!

The Masterpiece was reviewed by NY Times today! I haven't read the review yet 'cause I want to read the book first, but in case you're interested:
NY Times review of The Masterpiece

I absolutely loved Masterpiece! It has "future classic" written all over it. Feel free to take a look at my < a href="http://www.bookwink.com/archive_2009_... booktalk for it.

I've just finished it and I really like it! I take my first comment back about Metamorphosis-- NOthing like it at all. I think there's a lot to discuss about this book... particularly the nature of art theft and forgeries.

Bookwink, I'll definitely take a look at your booktalk before our discussion. Thanks!

Bookwink - I went to the video book talk - it was distracting - something was wrong with the video - but I heard some of it = and now I'm in love with this idea!!! I'm going to get the librarian into it and then see if I can submit any reviews to the site from my kids. :)

Thanks so much for sharing!

I would recommend the book The Rescue Artist A True Story of Art, Thieves, and the Hunt for a Missing Masterpiece if you want to know a little more about art theft. The main focus of the book is the search for The Scream by Edward Munch by the art detective Charlie Hill and contains many other stories about some of the major thefts to occur over the years. It talks about the reasoning behind some of the thefts and shows some of the stupidity and boldness of the thief's in question. I told Jane that she can read a few chapters of the book to see if there are any questions that she can think of from that book.

Thanks for the recommendation, Fonso--I have a half-dozen or so similar titles on my to-read shelf and wasn't sure where to start.

Hi! We're all here and started with eating as usual.

David opens the discussion with a comment about whether or not the book gives kids the impression that it is okay to go sneaking around and forging paintings.

All of us thought that the author was going to suggest that Durer's paintings were really done by beetles--ridiculous idea I know, but she didn't, so all's fine.

Alethea really likes Martin's family situation.

David thinks that there are many details left unsolved/open.

We thought it was really clever of the author to have tricked all of us into thinking that there were really 4 Durer's Virtues.

Alethea really liked how one-tracked James' mom was, her eye for beauty.

Damaris liked James' dad was really supportive and not pushy even though art is his profession.

Do you think that James got his hand caught in the trunk on purpose?

Nancy: Yes
Damaris: Yes
Alethea: No
David: Yes
Jane: Yes
Edward: Doesn't know

Newbery contender?

We think not.

Edward has issues with the book:
(1) that James didn't seem bothered that the Beetle did all the work.

We argue that if James didn't have that quality, he would be an uninteresting character.

Edward's other issue:
(2) that they allowed a kid to be dragged into such a large scheme involving FBI and thefts.

Alfonso--
Alethea borrowed Rescue Artist!

My favorite chapter title: Turtle-Beetle Battle!

Sorry guys, a phone call came up around the same time. I liked the book a lot. I enjoyed the fact that the family situation is something very realistic, divorced parents, crazy mom, etc.

I also thought that they were going to say the Durer paintings were done by beetles.

I believe that James got his hand caught in the trunk on purpose.

Sorry again all.

Loved Masterpiece.. I thought it was a cute mystery.

Suzy, you don't have to apologize for that. We're just glad you're here! =)

I really liked the story, but I'm glad that it's not a series. However, I think the idea of art thief mysteries with kids is a good idea. Anyone know of other books for children that are similar?

"I think the idea of art thief mysteries with kids is a good idea. Anyone know of other books for children that are similar?"

Here is a list of "Museum Mysteries" that I compiled on my website. I would recommend all of these books to fans of Masterpiece. http://www.bookwink.com/subject_myste...

I've read the Blue Balliet books on the Bookwink "Museum Mysteries" list. They are super and my students always enjoy them.

I keep meaning to grab the hardcovers for Blue Balliett. I'm putting them on my to-buy list for next month.

Theodosia is on my list, too!

The Smile is sitting on my bookshelf. Not a mystery, but art-related.

Alethea wrote: "I keep meaning to grab the hardcovers for Blue Balliet. I'm putting them on my to-buy list for next month.

Theodosia is on my list, too!

The Smile is sitting on my ..."

I love Love LOVED Theodosia! Feel free to take a look at my Museum Mysteries video booktalk. I booktalked Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, The Wright 3 by Blue Balliet, and From the Mixed-Up Files...

Cool! I have a Theodosia book at home somewhere. I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

Is Blue Balliet a title? I recognize it but the link goes to something else.

Nope, that's the author's name. The books are Chasing Vermeer, The Wright 3, and The Calder Game, in that order. You know how sometimes GR just pops in the closest thing? For L.A. Meyer I kept getting Mark Twain until I pasted in his author #.

Here's the right Blue Balliett.

That's right! I always get familiar names mixed up. I heard Chasing Vermeer wasn't that great, so I guess that's why I've put off reading it.

I found a few more books to add to my TBR pile that sound like they could be like Masterpiece.
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia

The Red Blazer Girls The Ring of Rocamadour

The Composer Is Dead

Has anyone read these? Are they worth looking into?

I enjoyed The Composer Is Dead, but I haven't yet listened to the recording. Must do that today.