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When Laura Marx Fitzgerald’s THE GALLERY begins, 12-year-old Martha has been kicked out of school and has taken a job at the Sewell mansion with her mother, who is the head of staff. Once she enters the house, she is astounded by the sheer beauty of the place, and doesn’t mind the work in the kitchen. But once her mother tells her that Mr. Sewell’s wife, Rose, is a madwoman who lives upstairs and never comes out of her rooms, the excitement begins. She tries to figure out what’s really going on from all the staff who work there, including the footman, Alphonse, a fanatical art history buff. With his help, she starts to put the puzzle pieces together.
“Laura Marx Fitzgerald brings together a mix of true stories and events from the 1920s, breathing new life into famous pieces of art….”
Laura Marx Fitzgerald brings together a mix of true stories and events from the 1920s, breathing new life into famous pieces of art and a hostage situation. THE GALLERY was just the right amount of fiction and history because, while the story is engaging for kids, it also teaches the reader about stories about famous paintings, the election of Herbert Hoover, the stock market crash and vaudeville. I was delighted that at the end of the story, the author provides a list of the paintings that were mentioned in the book and which newspaper stories and real people she drew from to create this novel.
This book was well-researched and it is clear that Fitzgerald’s art history studies at Harvard and Cambridge Universities inspired this novel. As she weaves paintings into the web of her story, I feel the need to look them up online and see them for myself. In fact, she has inspired me to go to my local museums and learn more about the stories behind some of the paintings. This book is perfect for children who have not discovered the fun (yet!) in going to art museums (which, let's face it, is most of us!). This is because THE GALLERY puts excitement and colorful history into paintings and their myths.
Teaser
It's 1929, and 12-year-old Martha has no choice but to work as a maid in the New York City mansion of the wealthy Sewell family. But, despite the Gatsby-like parties and trimmings of success, she suspects something might be deeply wrong in the household --- specifically with Rose Sewell, the formerly vivacious lady of the house who now refuses to leave her room. The other servants say Rose is crazy, but scrappy, strong-willed Martha thinks there’s more to the story --- and that the paintings in the Sewell’s gallery contain a hidden message detailing the truth.
Promo
It's 1929, and 12-year-old Martha has no choice but to work as a maid in the New York City mansion of the wealthy Sewell family. But, despite the Gatsby-like parties and trimmings of success, she suspects something might be deeply wrong in the household --- specifically with Rose Sewell, the formerly vivacious lady of the house who now refuses to leave her room. The other servants say Rose is crazy, but scrappy, strong-willed Martha thinks there’s more to the story --- and that the paintings in the Sewell’s gallery contain a hidden message detailing the truth.
About the Book
A riveting historical art mystery for fans of CHASING VERMEER and THE WESTING GAME, set in the Roaring Twenties!
It's 1929, and 12-year-old Martha has no choice but to work as a maid in the New York City mansion of the wealthy Sewell family. But, despite the Gatsby-like parties and trimmings of success, she suspects something might be deeply wrong in the household --- specifically with Rose Sewell, the formerly vivacious lady of the house who now refuses to leave her room. The other servants say Rose is crazy, but scrappy, strong-willed Martha thinks there’s more to the story --- and that the paintings in the Sewell’s gallery contain a hidden message detailing the truth. But in a house filled with secrets, nothing is quite what it seems, and no one is who they say. Can Martha follow the clues, decipher the code, and solve the mystery of what’s really going on with Rose Sewell?
Inspired by true events described in a fascinating author’s note, THE GALLERY is a 1920s caper told with humor and spunk that readers today will love.
