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Many Points of Me
When Georgia finds a secret sketch her late father—a famed artist—left behind, the discovery leads her down a path that may reshape everything holding her family and friends together.
Georgia Rosenbloom’s father was a famous artist. His most-well-known paintings were a series of asterisms—patterns of stars—that he created. One represented a bird; one, himself; and one, Georgia’s mother. There was supposed to be a fourth, but Georgia’s father died before he could paint it. Georgia’s mother and Georgia's best friend, Theo, are certain that the last asterism would’ve been of Georgia, but Georgia isn’t so sure. She isn’t sure about anything anymore—including whether Theo is still her best friend.
Then Georgia finds a sketch her father made of her. One with pencil points marked on the back—just like those in the asterism paintings. Could this finally be the proof that the last painting would have been of her? Georgia’s quest to prove her theory takes her around her Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City and to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was almost a second home to Georgia, since she had visited favorite artists and paintings there constantly with her father. But the sketch leads right back to where she’s always belonged—with the people who love her, no matter what.
Georgia Rosenbloom’s father was a famous artist. His most-well-known paintings were a series of asterisms—patterns of stars—that he created. One represented a bird; one, himself; and one, Georgia’s mother. There was supposed to be a fourth, but Georgia’s father died before he could paint it. Georgia’s mother and Georgia's best friend, Theo, are certain that the last asterism would’ve been of Georgia, but Georgia isn’t so sure. She isn’t sure about anything anymore—including whether Theo is still her best friend.
Then Georgia finds a sketch her father made of her. One with pencil points marked on the back—just like those in the asterism paintings. Could this finally be the proof that the last painting would have been of her? Georgia’s quest to prove her theory takes her around her Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City and to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was almost a second home to Georgia, since she had visited favorite artists and paintings there constantly with her father. But the sketch leads right back to where she’s always belonged—with the people who love her, no matter what.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 12, 2021
34 people are currently reading
6448 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
January 10, 2022
5.0
While I meant to click this book to "save"
"buy now" turned out to be a great mistake.
This book labeled Y/A -which I am not, is a tender and exceptional novel due to the well though out and original theme.
///
Georgia is twelve living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Georgia can tell you without blinking the difference between a Mark Rothko and a Jackson Pollock painting.
She can tell you the difference between different brush strokes and can site the opening and closing hours of The Met.
But what she can't tell you, is the pain in her heart wont go away.
Georgia knows there is no need to tell you her father is the famous artist Hank Rosenbloom because -you know, everyone knows that.
Only Georgia knows why she hasn't been able to draw or paint anything worthwhile.
Somewhere hidden in Georgia's camouflaged grief; she will find out why.
Her mother is an art historian busy putting together an exhibit at The Met.
One day Georgia finds an early sketch of herself drawn by her father when she was ten, tucked away in the pocket of a portfolio she has never seen. . As Georgia turns the sketch over she sees something that rattles her world.
But right now, "The NYC ART Contest" is requesting submissions, where winners of each grade will have their art displayed inside The Metropolitan Museum of Art..
Can you imagine the shock from her art teacher and best friend when Georgia declines to enter?
The scenario which follows is emotional, yet with a beautiful twist.
//
Kudos to Georgia- she taught me a few things. .
While I meant to click this book to "save"
"buy now" turned out to be a great mistake.
This book labeled Y/A -which I am not, is a tender and exceptional novel due to the well though out and original theme.
///
Georgia is twelve living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Georgia can tell you without blinking the difference between a Mark Rothko and a Jackson Pollock painting.
She can tell you the difference between different brush strokes and can site the opening and closing hours of The Met.
But what she can't tell you, is the pain in her heart wont go away.
Georgia knows there is no need to tell you her father is the famous artist Hank Rosenbloom because -you know, everyone knows that.
Only Georgia knows why she hasn't been able to draw or paint anything worthwhile.
Somewhere hidden in Georgia's camouflaged grief; she will find out why.
Her mother is an art historian busy putting together an exhibit at The Met.
One day Georgia finds an early sketch of herself drawn by her father when she was ten, tucked away in the pocket of a portfolio she has never seen. . As Georgia turns the sketch over she sees something that rattles her world.
But right now, "The NYC ART Contest" is requesting submissions, where winners of each grade will have their art displayed inside The Metropolitan Museum of Art..
Can you imagine the shock from her art teacher and best friend when Georgia declines to enter?
The scenario which follows is emotional, yet with a beautiful twist.
//
Kudos to Georgia- she taught me a few things. .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2021
Georgia Rosenbloom’s father was a renowned artist who created famous paintings of three asterisms. Georgia’s father died before he could paint the fourth one, which many believed would be his daughter, Georgia. This book is about a girl's quest to prove her theory that she mattered. The book blends history, with art, with a personal journey.
The author's experience at the Met clearly informed this book because everything felt so real—the art world, the drawings, and the artist's history. The first line in the book grabbed me: "Here's the thing about when your dad was a famous artist, he still lives. He still is." I love how the author referred to the artists in the present tense because even though they’ve passed away, in a way, that keeps them alive.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
The author's experience at the Met clearly informed this book because everything felt so real—the art world, the drawings, and the artist's history. The first line in the book grabbed me: "Here's the thing about when your dad was a famous artist, he still lives. He still is." I love how the author referred to the artists in the present tense because even though they’ve passed away, in a way, that keeps them alive.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
February 24, 2021
The worst thing about this book is its title. Even after reading this book, it didn;t grab me despite its apparent connection.
HOWEVER this is an amazing, engrossing, engaging, delightful, educational, emotionally -in-touch book --for anyone of any age.
Well-drawn characters (main ones: two newly 12 year olds), interesting site (NYC, apartment building, curious old lady apt bldg owner/ concièrge of sorts). Secondary characters neatly drawn.
Emotionally engaging: how will Georgia sort out hanging on to her life-long friend AND make new friends ? Will she figure out what to submit to the school-connected Big Deal competition?
PLEASE don't read anything that gives you details on this wonderful book. Consume it alone on a sofa with a blanket, a mug of tea, a blanket, and maybe a cat or dog.
HOWEVER this is an amazing, engrossing, engaging, delightful, educational, emotionally -in-touch book --for anyone of any age.
Well-drawn characters (main ones: two newly 12 year olds), interesting site (NYC, apartment building, curious old lady apt bldg owner/ concièrge of sorts). Secondary characters neatly drawn.
Emotionally engaging: how will Georgia sort out hanging on to her life-long friend AND make new friends ? Will she figure out what to submit to the school-connected Big Deal competition?
PLEASE don't read anything that gives you details on this wonderful book. Consume it alone on a sofa with a blanket, a mug of tea, a blanket, and maybe a cat or dog.
December 2, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of 12yo Georgia's attempt to navigate grief, family, and changing friendships while trying to track down the missing clues as to whether she was the subject of her father's final paintings. The author did so well capturing the dialogue and emotions of the pre-teen main characters that they felt completely relatable to me, and I particularly loved learning so much about the world of art and its various techniques, styles, and mediums.
April 1, 2021
It’s been over a year since Georgia’s famous artist father died, but she still desperately misses him, to the point where she’s struggling with her own art . . . Then she spots possible clues in her father’s sketches and paintings that he was planning to paint a big new work about her, and she’s determined to put the pieces together. [from Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books]
September 16, 2020
Thank you to the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read an arc of MANY POINTS OF ME.
It's been a year since Georgia's father- a famous painter, best known for his Asterisms series--died, and Georgia has not adjusted to life without him. Making her own art offers no comfort, in fact, it only serves to enhance her pain and sadness. Spending time with her best friend and neighbor, Theo, offers even less comfort--Theo shared a special bond with Georgia's father, a fact she's growing to resent. And then there's the upcoming retrospective of her father's life and work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that her mother is curating. Sharing her father's memory with the world only makes things harder. Searching for a piece of her father to call her very own, Georgia sets out to prove that her father intended her to be the subject of the last painting in the Asterisms series. At the same time, Georgia's inclusion into a popular group of girls creates a rift between her and Theo.
A skillfully built, and beautifully written character study, MANY POINTS OF ME, explores loss, self-discovery, and the ties that bind through the lens of art. Deeply philosophical ideas are deftly handled and explored. These are all questions many MG readers are beginning to confront, and this book provides a landscape in which to explore. I loved how the author wove in both STEM and art themes creating lovely connections for teachers and students to discover.
I look forward to many more stories from this writer!
It's been a year since Georgia's father- a famous painter, best known for his Asterisms series--died, and Georgia has not adjusted to life without him. Making her own art offers no comfort, in fact, it only serves to enhance her pain and sadness. Spending time with her best friend and neighbor, Theo, offers even less comfort--Theo shared a special bond with Georgia's father, a fact she's growing to resent. And then there's the upcoming retrospective of her father's life and work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that her mother is curating. Sharing her father's memory with the world only makes things harder. Searching for a piece of her father to call her very own, Georgia sets out to prove that her father intended her to be the subject of the last painting in the Asterisms series. At the same time, Georgia's inclusion into a popular group of girls creates a rift between her and Theo.
A skillfully built, and beautifully written character study, MANY POINTS OF ME, explores loss, self-discovery, and the ties that bind through the lens of art. Deeply philosophical ideas are deftly handled and explored. These are all questions many MG readers are beginning to confront, and this book provides a landscape in which to explore. I loved how the author wove in both STEM and art themes creating lovely connections for teachers and students to discover.
I look forward to many more stories from this writer!
November 2, 2020
Caroline Gertler’s MANY POINTS OF ME is a poignant and beautiful book about the fault lines that loss can leave in an individual, in a family, and among friends. Georgia’s search for her own truth within her artist father’s legacy is so sensitively portrayed. Your heart hurts for her, and you root for her to find the peace that she needs. MANY POINTS OF ME is a coming-of-age tale that will bring tears to your eyes, and also an art-world mystery that will make you pine for a trip to the Met. Many, many thanks to the author and to Greenwillow Books / Harper Collins Children’s for the eARC.
September 23, 2023
4.5/5 stars for this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Middle grade books are always so dear to my heart and this one was something I haven’t read in a long time. Our protagonist, 12 years old Georgie is someone who’s facing the trauma of loss; the loss of her dad who was a renowned painter. The narrative moves as she explores her relationships with her deceased father and try to keep his parts alive within her heart. I loved the setting of the book, the artistically aesthetic apartment located in the vicinity of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park NYC keep on fascinating the readers throughout. Georgie knows that following the footsteps of her father can be tiresome and hard at the same time especially when she has a friend “Theo” who idolises her father.
I like Theo but for most part of the novel, I was able to connect with the emotions of Georgie. I believe that Theo somehow turned a blind eye to his friend’s internal suffering at a time during which she needed his support the most. Mrs.Velandry is my favorite character alongside her cute Shih-tzus. The scene where we find Royal taking his last breaths made me tear up. The book is very well written and you won’t be able to believe that it’s the debut work of the author. I deducted half a star because I felt that the account where we see that Georgie and her mom are barely making the ends meet didn’t match very well with the setting of the novel as they reside in Manhattan which in no way is a place to be inhabited by the working class individuals. Apart from that, this is such a sweet tale of reconnecting with the lost memories.
Middle grade books are always so dear to my heart and this one was something I haven’t read in a long time. Our protagonist, 12 years old Georgie is someone who’s facing the trauma of loss; the loss of her dad who was a renowned painter. The narrative moves as she explores her relationships with her deceased father and try to keep his parts alive within her heart. I loved the setting of the book, the artistically aesthetic apartment located in the vicinity of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park NYC keep on fascinating the readers throughout. Georgie knows that following the footsteps of her father can be tiresome and hard at the same time especially when she has a friend “Theo” who idolises her father.
I like Theo but for most part of the novel, I was able to connect with the emotions of Georgie. I believe that Theo somehow turned a blind eye to his friend’s internal suffering at a time during which she needed his support the most. Mrs.Velandry is my favorite character alongside her cute Shih-tzus. The scene where we find Royal taking his last breaths made me tear up. The book is very well written and you won’t be able to believe that it’s the debut work of the author. I deducted half a star because I felt that the account where we see that Georgie and her mom are barely making the ends meet didn’t match very well with the setting of the novel as they reside in Manhattan which in no way is a place to be inhabited by the working class individuals. Apart from that, this is such a sweet tale of reconnecting with the lost memories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2021
Middle grade grief novels are a dime a dozen. Seriously, I feel like I've read one hundred of them this year! While MANY POINTS OF ME is a capably-written story that teaches good lessons about being yourself, what friendship really is, and healing from grief, for me it doesn't stand out among its (many) fellows. In fact, I found it slow, longer than necessary, and difficult to get into. I know little about art, so that's probably part of the problem (although I'd venture to say that I know more than the average 11-year-old, which is the target audience for this book). I had trouble understanding the whole "asterism" thing and why it is so important to Georgia and to the art community. Beyond that, I had a tough time with Georgia herself, who's so caught up in her own grief that she has a hard time getting outside herself and caring about anyone else. I can only take that kind of "heroine" for so long and, like I said, this is a lengthy book (339 pages). Her main story goal is all about herself, which just makes the it's-all-about-me problem worse. So, although this is a perfectly well-written novel, for me it dragged on and on, especially since it focuses so much on a character I didn't love. If I didn't have a reason for finishing MANY POINTS OF ME, I probably wouldn't have. It just didn't work very well for me, personally. I'm not sure young readers will have the patience to stick with it.
January 31, 2021
I lost my dad at an age that was about twenty years older than this main character, so all of her feelings about this sudden hole in her life are so legitimate and reminded me with every page how lucky I was to have my dad for the time that I did. So many phases of grief, all right here in this beautiful little book.
April 14, 2023
I usually eat up middle grade books dealing with grief but I didn't really vibe with this.
November 4, 2020
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Ever since eleven-year-old Georgia's dad died about a year and a half ago, she's been unable to create her own art. Not only does she miss her father, but she struggles with the fact that he was a famous artist and she feels like she shared him with so many other people. She desperately hopes that she was the subject of the last painting in his famous but unfinished asterism series, as her mom and her best friend, Theo, try to convince her, but she wants to know for sure. While going through some of his old work for an exhibition at The Met, Georgia finds what she thinks might be evidence that her dad was going to choose her, and she decides to hide this information and try to confirm it on her own. As Theo’s pressure on her to enter an art competition succeeds in driving a wedge further between them, she turns to new friendships in an attempt to figure out who she is. When a good deed turns out to have disastrous consequences, Georgia and Theo must find a way to work together to set things right.
Many middle grade novels have self-discovery as a theme, but the author wrote Georgia with such relatable longing for proof that she wanted to be someone who truly mattered to her father. I was so touched when she found a picture of her and Theo as children, with her father’s shoe in the corner of it, and she cut it out of the photo before hiding it back in the frame because she wanted another piece of him that belonged to her. As she became more convinced that she’d found proof of his final asterism, we saw her confidence grow and she slowly started to explore who she is now without him. Part of this meant disconnecting from the art world and Theo, and hanging out with the popular girls at school, so she could reconnect to herself in a new way.
I also loved how the author handled the relationship between Georgia and Theo. Their families were extremely close, and even as the rift between the intensifies, they don’t completely lose each other. Their moms have a movie night when they aren’t speaking to each other, but they’re both still there. They attempt to reach out to each other at different times, even though the other is not yet ready to do so. When disaster strikes, the two are able to depend on each other and build a new relationship based on a different level of understanding of each other.
I really enjoyed this story, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Ever since eleven-year-old Georgia's dad died about a year and a half ago, she's been unable to create her own art. Not only does she miss her father, but she struggles with the fact that he was a famous artist and she feels like she shared him with so many other people. She desperately hopes that she was the subject of the last painting in his famous but unfinished asterism series, as her mom and her best friend, Theo, try to convince her, but she wants to know for sure. While going through some of his old work for an exhibition at The Met, Georgia finds what she thinks might be evidence that her dad was going to choose her, and she decides to hide this information and try to confirm it on her own. As Theo’s pressure on her to enter an art competition succeeds in driving a wedge further between them, she turns to new friendships in an attempt to figure out who she is. When a good deed turns out to have disastrous consequences, Georgia and Theo must find a way to work together to set things right.
Many middle grade novels have self-discovery as a theme, but the author wrote Georgia with such relatable longing for proof that she wanted to be someone who truly mattered to her father. I was so touched when she found a picture of her and Theo as children, with her father’s shoe in the corner of it, and she cut it out of the photo before hiding it back in the frame because she wanted another piece of him that belonged to her. As she became more convinced that she’d found proof of his final asterism, we saw her confidence grow and she slowly started to explore who she is now without him. Part of this meant disconnecting from the art world and Theo, and hanging out with the popular girls at school, so she could reconnect to herself in a new way.
I also loved how the author handled the relationship between Georgia and Theo. Their families were extremely close, and even as the rift between the intensifies, they don’t completely lose each other. Their moms have a movie night when they aren’t speaking to each other, but they’re both still there. They attempt to reach out to each other at different times, even though the other is not yet ready to do so. When disaster strikes, the two are able to depend on each other and build a new relationship based on a different level of understanding of each other.
I really enjoyed this story, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
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January 28, 2021What a lovely, poignant novel about loss, connection, identity, and art! I love how MANY POINTS OF ME explores what it’s like to grieve someone who was a famous artist—who is still discussed in the present tense and still “belongs” to so many people in so many ways. Georgia’s longing to stay connected to her father nearly two years after his death is tenderly drawn, and her desire to keep part of his legacy to herself is powerful and understandable. This is a thoughtful, nuanced, and relatable story that offers a lot of insights about grief and self-discovery. I love the NYC setting and all the details about art—both Georgia’s and her dad’s!
January 28, 2021
I received a free copy of this book in the 카지노싸이트 Giveaway. It was a quick, easy read but I felt like I wanted more from the book. It seemed to repeat the same thoughts and conversations over and over again. There was not a whole lot of action.
January 22, 2021
::::::::::
“Many Points of Me” is a beautiful, emotional middle-grade novel that talks about getting over loss and moving on.
I thought the author did a brilliant job for her debut novel. She writes the story in such a realistic manner and makes you connect with the characters. Although I wouldn’t say I liked Georgia in some places, I could relate to what she was going through. The way she feels jealous of Theo because of her father’s love was one of the story’s highlights. It was interesting to see if their friendship would reconnect or not.
Georgia is an interesting character with many layers. I think a reader of any age would relate to her emotions. We are continually reinventing ourselves to try something new in life, even if we don’t know it. I enjoyed how the author tackled her feelings in forgetting about her past and fitting into a new crowd; people don’t remember her as the artist’s daughter. Theo is also an excellent supporting character, and my heart went out for him. More than Georgia, Theo was my favorite character in the story. He remained a true friend to Georgia, even when they argued. On a side note, I also enjoyed the side storyline with Mrs. Velandry and her overcoming her fears of agoraphobia.
Moreover, I love reading stories where I learn something new. This book taught me about asterism, a concept I had never heard of before. The author implements art and astronomy through asterism so beautifully. Some of these passages themselves felt like viewing a work of art.
Overall, I think this is a beautiful story that would resonate with anyone who has lost a loved one or has trouble moving on.
February 22, 2021
I read this Author Debut Book as part of my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for 10 points and I ached for Georgia as she grieved the death of her "famous" artist Dad from cancer a year ago. Georgia's life has been defined by her artist father and art history mother and she has loved every moment. She has been best friends with Theo since their birth and they sit around all the time working on their art. Theo is the son of single mom, Harriet, who is best friends with Georgia's mom. Theo has a graphic novel that features him and Georgia as avengers of good against the evils of the world. But with the death of her father, Georgia is feelings things she has never felt before; jealousy of Theo, anger at her dead father and living mother, and the urge to stop her artistic endeavors because art is just not working for her anymore. When she finds a portfolio of her father's pictures of her, Georgia takes his last drawing of her at age 10, and does not tell anyone about it. She becomes consumed with trying to solve a mystery; but with no one to talk to, she feels even more alone and questions everything in her life. As Georgia begins to lie more and more, things unwind, and she is threatened with so many questions and feelings--will she be able to right her wrongs? I loved this debut novel, the characterization, the plot and oh what I learned and loved about all the art techniques and colors was just awesome. A must read!
March 24, 2021
5 Stars!
Many Points of Me follows twelve-year-old Georgia as she is grieving the death of her father from two years before. Georgia loves art, and her dad was a very famous artist before he passed away, but since that day two years ago, Georgia is having a hard time painting anything. She is trying to figure out who she wants to be while stepping out of her dad’s shadow and famous reputation. Georgia is meeting new friends in the popular “mermaids” group, but is also still trying to keep her friendship intact with her best friend, Theo.
This book hits pretty hard topics. It addresses grief, cancer, loss of a parent, changing friend groups, jealousy between friends, but these hard-hitting topics are intertwined in a story about art. There is a little bit of mystery behind a missing art piece, and the first-person narration portrays the twelve-year-old mind flawlessly. I felt for Georgia and I think young readers will too.
I love when an author smashes it out of the park with their debut novel, and this author did just that. I can’t wait to pick up more books by Caroline Gertler. This book was stunning and emotional. It’s a story of loss while trying to figure out your own path.
I would recommend this to everyone. In fact, this might be the next book for my 10-year-old daughter! She loves hard-hitting contemporary books.
Many Points of Me follows twelve-year-old Georgia as she is grieving the death of her father from two years before. Georgia loves art, and her dad was a very famous artist before he passed away, but since that day two years ago, Georgia is having a hard time painting anything. She is trying to figure out who she wants to be while stepping out of her dad’s shadow and famous reputation. Georgia is meeting new friends in the popular “mermaids” group, but is also still trying to keep her friendship intact with her best friend, Theo.
This book hits pretty hard topics. It addresses grief, cancer, loss of a parent, changing friend groups, jealousy between friends, but these hard-hitting topics are intertwined in a story about art. There is a little bit of mystery behind a missing art piece, and the first-person narration portrays the twelve-year-old mind flawlessly. I felt for Georgia and I think young readers will too.
I love when an author smashes it out of the park with their debut novel, and this author did just that. I can’t wait to pick up more books by Caroline Gertler. This book was stunning and emotional. It’s a story of loss while trying to figure out your own path.
I would recommend this to everyone. In fact, this might be the next book for my 10-year-old daughter! She loves hard-hitting contemporary books.
December 28, 2020
Beautiful debut novel that I will definitely be recommending to colleagues and students.
With extremely likable characters, mystery around her fathers paintings, and sweet hope mixed in with the realness and sadness of her fathers death, I was on board from the beginning and had to see Georgia’s story through.
I enjoyed the way the author brought together art and the self discovery the main character was going through to really portray some deep and touching moments.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an eARC.
With extremely likable characters, mystery around her fathers paintings, and sweet hope mixed in with the realness and sadness of her fathers death, I was on board from the beginning and had to see Georgia’s story through.
I enjoyed the way the author brought together art and the self discovery the main character was going through to really portray some deep and touching moments.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an eARC.
August 27, 2020
I received this e-ARC from the publisher through Edweiss+ in exchange for an honest review.
A book about art, loss, friendship and self, there is a lot packed into this middle grade novel. Georgia is a great character with an amazing friend in Theo. I liked this one a lot and think a lot of readers will find themselves in some aspect of Georgia. I think this one will find a place on many library and classroom shelves.
A book about art, loss, friendship and self, there is a lot packed into this middle grade novel. Georgia is a great character with an amazing friend in Theo. I liked this one a lot and think a lot of readers will find themselves in some aspect of Georgia. I think this one will find a place on many library and classroom shelves.
January 25, 2021
A beautifully written book about grief, adventure, and growing up. The ending was perfect and really brought everything together. It's always hard figuring things out when they don't go directly the way you want it, but the lessons you learn and the adventure you go through while figuring all of that out, especially when it comes to finding out who you are, is such a rewarding experience and definitely worth it!
June 10, 2021
Grabbed this new book at the library for me and Gloria because its about an artist and set in NYC.
Slow getting started, more of a slice of life, then a plot developed.
Lots of angst of dealing with grief and friend issues. Which are good topics for kids.
Good characters and the setting brought me back to my trip to NYC - the Met and walking across Central Park and climbing to the top of a brownstone. Hope to go again!
Slow getting started, more of a slice of life, then a plot developed.
Lots of angst of dealing with grief and friend issues. Which are good topics for kids.
Good characters and the setting brought me back to my trip to NYC - the Met and walking across Central Park and climbing to the top of a brownstone. Hope to go again!
July 17, 2022
A beautiful story about a girl dealing with the death of her famous artist father, navigating changing friendships (with her best friend who she's disconnecting from and a new girl in town), and finding out who she is as an artist and a person. Throw in solving an art mystery, and you have a compelling and heartfelt story that is hard to put down. Highly recommended!
April 7, 2024
Georgia misses her dad, a famous modern artist, more than anything. After his death, she feels lost, pushing away her best friend and even the art she loves... until she finds a clue in her father's final painting that tells her something she desperately needs to know. This middle grade book did a nice job at capturing how loss feels as a kid and how healing can come. I like that it keeps dad's cause of death vague, aside from saying he was sick, so any child who lost a parent to illness or knows someone who has can relate.
August 13, 2021
Sweet and heartfelt but flawed. The art world setting is interesting, but pacing issues and a too-tidy ending made the story a bit paint-by-numbers for me.
CW: grief, death of parent, animal euthanasia
CW: grief, death of parent, animal euthanasia
June 15, 2021
Expertly crafted. Gertler manages to capture the voice of a 6th grade girl in one of the most authentic ways I have come across. This book perfectly explores a deep topic while remaining real and immersive. Genuinely loved reading this!
January 11, 2021
It’s difficult when you lose a father. But even more difficult when it seems like your relationship with him is also erased. Like you weren’t as important to him as you thought you were, as you should have been. Your friend may have occupied the place which was rightfully yours. Georgia’s father was an artist and Georgia finds a clue to her importance and her own art in seemingly unimportant points. She follows those clues to her achieving self worth and the understanding of her relationship with her father.
May 8, 2025
I thought this was a beautiful book. I don’t love the audiobook narrator—and I wonder if this would’ve been a five-star had I read and not listened to it.
March 1, 2021
Wow! An outstanding debut novel that pulls together all of the frayed ends that happen when your amazing father dies of cancer, your best friend (since birth) happens to be a boy, your dad is also a world renown artist, your mom’s putting together a retrospective exhibition of his work, you’re turning twelve and you’re desperately trying to define yourself. I loved all of the visual art content woven into the story, too. I want to be Georgia’s friend.
July 12, 2022
Love this. All the art is really compelling.
August 23, 2020
A budding artist, eleven-year-old Georgia has been unable to to find her artistic footing since losing her father (a famous painter) a year-and-a-half earlier. Georgia is convinced that the key to her healing is to find proof that the last painting in her father's unfinished series was intended to be of her. But clues remain elusive and as Georgia searches, she's forced to confront questions about who she is--not only as an artist, but also as a daughter and a friend. The invitation to join a new and exciting social circle threatens her lifelong friendship with her best friend Theo, a situation that escalates when their mutual artistic goals clash with her search for the truth. The author handles these topics with a deft and sensitive hand and the reader can't help but come away from the story feeling a renewed sense of hope. In addition, the art descriptions woven throughout this story add layers to the narrative and the delicate pencil sketches at the start of every chapter balance perfectly with the emotional heart of the story. This is a gorgeous, compelling book that leaves me looking forward to whatever comes next from this debut author.
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