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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice, Middle School Librarian Title: The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, A Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity
Author: Nicholas Day Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Publisher: Random House Studio
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 5-9 Genre/Type of Book: J nonfiction, art history, European history
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: n/a Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I love narrative nonfiction, and I once got in trouble in the Louvre for photographing this famous painting, so I felt a connection!
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
"Sometimes it is hardest to see what's most obvious." (page 228)
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Review:
Facts, history, art, and humor, all in one book- what's not to love? This book is stranger than fiction and so much fun to read! I loved it, and I hope my middle schoolers do too! I learned a lot from this book, about art, history, people, the Mona Lisa, the Louvre. I am glad I live in a world where I can immediately pull up the images of what I am reading about to get a look at what the author is describing. I found myself doing that many times, studying pictures and sculptures, and Leonardo's works. This book made me want to book a flight to Europe to find some of the things and places I was reading about. I didn't realize that in the 1960s the Mona Lisa toured the U.S. and was received like a visiting dignitary and was escorted by Secret Service agents.
Day's writing style is filled with humor while telling the ridiculous story about how the Mona Lisa gets stolen, and no one even realizes it! I took so many notes that I was going to share that I could now write my own book! The entire story and cast of characters are simply unbelievable. I would use this book in a world history class or an art class, because the book is so much about both. Honestly, it is a fun read in any middle school level class, and a great way to sneak in European and art history, and critical thinking skills. I would have access to a computer nearby because it is fun to pull up the pictures of the actual artwork and of the Louvre.
Most of the events (and people, really) are highly unbelievable, which is part of what makes it such an interesting read. Day takes these unbelievable events and circumstances and explains how they managed to happen. It would be fun to have students guess and predict throughout the book.
Another aspect of this book worth discussion is all the conspiracy theories that come out after the theft of the Mona Lisa. Everyone loves a good conspiracy theory, and beliefs matter more than actual facts unfortunately. Some of the theories hindered the investigation. This topic alone would be an important discussion point with middle schoolers as conspiracy theories are still prominent in today's world as well.
Helquist's drawings are fun and would appeal to middle schoolers as well. I thought they added to the story. I would have liked some actual photos of some of the people mentioned in the book, the Louvre, and of course, the Mona Lisa. Although I know what the Mona Lisa looks like, there are so many details discussed about her, I found myself going back to a web-based picture of her many times.
At the end of the book, it explains what happens to the cast of characters in the book, and there is a Sources section and an index. I just loved this book and have already explored virtual field trips to the Louvre!
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Reviewed by: Juli Westrich, Elementary School Librarian Title: The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, A Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity
Author: Nicholas Day Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Publisher: Random House Studio
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 6-10 Genre/Type of Book: True Crime
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: No Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I first heard the title when it was mentioned as the 2023 Sibert Winner at the YMA and the title intrigued me as I love a good art heist mystery!
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
Follow the twists and turns of famous Mona Lisa, from her improbable beginning to her baffling theft - which made her the most famous painting in the world!
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Review:
This is a fascinating, extremely engaging telling of the heist of the Mona Lisa in 1911. I highly recommend for nonfiction readers, true crime buffs, history nerds, and reluctant middle-school readers who need an format that pulls you in, but doesn't over tax. Day tells the tale of the Mona Lisa in brief chapters that are non-linear. He explores the perspective of the thief, the history and methods of the police investigators, the life and world of Leonardo da Vinci, the role of women in the renaissance, the burgeoning modern art movement, the birth of forensic science, and the role of media in popularity. WOW! This book has so much going on, but it all works thanks to the deftly crafted chapters that weave and wind connecting all the parts of this exciting story. Helquist's style of illustration was perfect to complement the story and readers are rewarded with pictures every couple of pages. I absolutely loved this book!
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Find resources for The Mona Lisa Vanishes at Teachingbooks.net
For more information about this book, see the Publisher's Website
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