62. The Painting That Wasn't There by Steve Brezenoff

Field Trip Mysteries #1 (as of Oct. 2017 there are 20 in the series so far)
Illustrated by C. B. Canga
read the book, borrowed from Bosler Library
2010, Stone Arch Books
85 pgs.
First Chapter Books, Mystery
Finished 10/23/17
Goodreads rating:  3.56 - 71 ratings
My rating:  3
Setting: contemporary River City, USA

First line/s:  "My name is James Shoo.  No one calls me that, though.  Everyone calls me Gum instead."

My comments:  Although the protagonists in this book are sixth graders, this is definitely a book for kids who are just starting to read chapter books.  The story and the characters are very simple.  The mystery, although absurd to an adult, would probably be enjoyed by a first or second grader. I would definitely add this to my collection of first chapter books. It's unimportant that the kids are older, they act like any kids - and would totally be embraced by a younger reader. The book has all the elements of a mystery, and would be a good read aloud when introduction the genre to a first or second (or perhaps even third) grade class.

There are several pages after the story that could be very useful in a classroom - including discussion questions and ideas about setting up a mystery notebook for yourself.

Goodreads synopsis: James "Gum" Shoo's art class heads to the museum. They've been learning about forged art, but they never expected to find a fake in the gallery! Only Gum and his gumshoe friends will be able to solve this museum caper.

Art & Max - David Wiesner

Clarion Book, 2010
$17.99
40 pages
Rating: 5
Endpapers: Desert sand brown
Setting: the desert, mountains in the background and saguaro here and there....and lotsa lizards.

Art (Arthur, if you please) is an artist, and his friend Max wants to try. Not the best idea....

This begins a series of events that will change them both - physically and artistically! I read it through twice. It's so much fun and so darn clever! Art is an iguana and Max and his cohorts are lizards. I'm not going to say another word. You have to read it and see what's going on for yourself.

The art is -- well -- it's David Weisner. Magical. Special. Talk about giving a lizard personality! The faces alone show enough expresion that barely any words are needed.

OH! When you take the book jacket off you're greeted with quite a surprise - a colorful Jackson Pollock-like spatter/splatter that represents a part of the story. Big smile. Cool book.

Frida - Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

Viva la vida! Long Live Life!
Illustrated with Kahlo paintings and a few photos
Published 2007
Marshall Cavendish Children
$18.99
Written for children, good for all ages
64 pgs.
Rating: 5

This is my favorite of all the Kahlo books I've been reading this week. It's a biography, but written in first person free verse and illustrated with Kahlo's own paintings. Each painting includes the title, date, and an interesting caption. I learned a terrific amount of information about her life, her loves, her misfortunes and illnesses. She had a "messy" life, but there sadness is not overpowering, it stresses more a joy in living than the anguish of many heartbreaks - which were very real.

San Francisco

Women in slinky dresses and pert little hats
stare at my frilly skirts, my sun-shaped earrings,
the ribbons of purple light adorning my braided hair,
the thousand-year-old jade necklace Diego gave me.
I giggle, enjoying the attention!

Diego disappears for days,
painting a mural at the San Francisco Stock Exchange,
another at the California School of Fine ARts.

I hardly paint.
Instead I play at being his wife.
Frida Kahlo de Rivera
--"de" Rivera, "of" Rivera--
I belong to my owner.

I got a wonderful feel for this woman, she became flesh and blood for me. The verse is powerful, telling, illuminating and illuminated. Good stuff.