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Beneath the Swirling Sky

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
A house full of paintings, a missing sister, and a family secret send a boy and his cousin into a world where art is the key in this fantasy adventure perfect for fans of The Wingfeather Saga and Pages & Co.
“A delightful adventure, excellent for reading aloud. This book will make you want to study Van Gogh and get out the paintbrushes!”—Sarah Mackenzie, founder and host of Read-Aloud Revival® and author of The Read-Aloud Family
WINNER OF THE SELAH AWARD • FINALIST FOR THE ECPA CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD

After an experience he’d rather forget, Vincent is determined to be done with art. So when he and his little sister, Lili, spend spring break with their art conservator great-uncle, Vincent’s plan is to stay glued to his phone.
That is, until Lili disappears into one of the world’s most famous paintings and Vincent learns his parents have been hiding something from him: Their family is the last of The Restorationists, a secret society with the power to travel through paintings—and a duty to protect them from evil forces.
With Lili’s safety on the line, leaving art behind is no longer an option. Vincent must team up with his know-it-all second-cousin Georgia, wrestle with why his parents lied to him, and confront both his past and a future he never wanted. Young readers are invited into a captivating universe where paintings become a portal—and adventure and danger lurk beyond every canvas.
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    • Kirkus

      August 15, 2023
      Famous paintings become portals in this fantasy series opener. Twelve-year-old Vincent is less than excited about spending spring break in Texas with his art restorer uncle, Leo, while his parents head off on a cruise, but his mother seems to think it will somehow reignite his lost interest in art. Uncle Leo's house does contain many famous paintings that catch Vincent's eye, though, and cousin Georgia is clearly hiding something, so he isn't quite as bored as expected. Then Lili, Vincent's 6-year-old sister, disappears into thin air, and Vincent finally discovers the truth about his family: They are Restorationists, genetically related people who can travel through paintings, working to prevent the evil Distortionists from manipulating art for nefarious purposes. Colorful descriptions will send curious readers searching for images of the paintings mentioned, while discussions of art as a vehicle for the expression of truth and beauty add depth to a plot that feels disjointed at times. References to Jesus (following an interaction with a painted representation of Jesus) beginning three-quarters of the way into the story are awkwardly placed, given the lack of overt religious content earlier in the book. Vincent and Georgia read white; Lili was adopted from China at age 3. To's expressive, delicately rendered illustrations enhance the text. An interesting premise weakened by a somewhat muddled plot. (author's note, list of paintings and artists) (Fantasy. 8-12)

      COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Formats

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Languages

  • English

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