Scan barcode
vickiannie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
chezler24's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A new middle-grade fantasy series that is bound to grab the attention of its target age range. This book will be fantastic at getting kids interested in the art world, from creating pieces to learning about curators, conservators, and other museum positions. I loved the attention to detail in notifying real art pieces and artist histories while also touching on how art pieces can be used for good and bad by people long after the piece was created. Leiloglou has created a new magic system where individuals could have the ability to travel through paintings and alter their contents (i.e., travelers). Each traveler can then have their unique talent or gift (e.g., navigation, tracker, spelunker, artist, etc.) which helps them interact with the paintings and museum spaces more easily. I would have devoured this book when i was a kid especially since I loved (and still love) going to museums and creating art! Would recommend as a gift for younger readers or for older readers if you want something quick and easy.
(Note: Several referenced to God and Jesus. These scenes felt more or less like I would speak about my religion at this age, but it felt important to note since it came up several times between Vincent's inner monologue and certain paintings explored.)
Rating: 3.5/5 stars but eagerly waiting to see where the series takes us.
(Note: Several referenced to God and Jesus. These scenes felt more or less like I would speak about my religion at this age, but it felt important to note since it came up several times between Vincent's inner monologue and certain paintings explored.)
Rating: 3.5/5 stars but eagerly waiting to see where the series takes us.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Kidnapping
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 I loved the mode of travel here, the artwork, the characters. Such fun!
hheartbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this one a lot, but my hesitation to give it higher stars is because of my confusion on what age kid to hand it to. The action/ story line appeals to younger kids, but some of the content and descriptions are geared more towards older MG readers. I do really love that this is a book that focuses on goodness, and I loved the art connections. Overall, I'm looking forward to more of these characters, but I do hope the targeted age gets more consistent..
kvangundy's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mattgroot1980's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kendranicole28's review against another edition
4.0
Vincent wishes he was spending spring break hanging out with his friends or vacationing some place fun. Instead, he’s staying with his uncle in the Texas countryside. Vincent has a feeling he knows his mom’s reasoning for dropping him and his sister, Lili, off with their uncle for the week: Uncle Leo is an art restorer, and Vincent’s mom wants her son to reconnect with his earlier love of art. Spring break takes a shocking turn when Lilli falls into a famous painting. Vincent goes in after her and discovers that his family is part of a secret society with the power to travel through paintings. With this unique ability comes a high calling: to protect the art from evil forces. Enveloped within this new world, Vincent and his cousin Georgia go in search of Lili, learning about their family, their gifts, and all that is stake throughout their quest.
I read a lot of children’s lit with the kids, but I picked this one up just for me after hearing about it on the Currently Reading podcast. And now, having read it for myself, I can’t wait to pass it on to Charleston! (I read this on audio but purchased the book in print for him to read.) Though the book was faster paced than I would have liked (I would have preferred less action and more character development), I enjoyed this sweet story for its intriguing premise, excellent interdisciplinary teaching potential, and strong themes of loyalty, courage, identity, purpose, and a classic good vs evil storyline. The subject of art and its potential for both good and bad—and the ways it has been historically utilized to impart truth, preserve culture and story, or evoke sympathies—is seen throughout the book, but fits nicely within the story rather than overpowering it.
The book is from a Christian publisher and there are some subtle Christian references, but these too are not overpowering; this is simply a quality story with positive messaging that can be appreciated by readers of all faiths and backgrounds. This would make a great read-aloud or solo read for fans of the Magic Treehouse or Imagination Station books.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
I read a lot of children’s lit with the kids, but I picked this one up just for me after hearing about it on the Currently Reading podcast. And now, having read it for myself, I can’t wait to pass it on to Charleston! (I read this on audio but purchased the book in print for him to read.) Though the book was faster paced than I would have liked (I would have preferred less action and more character development), I enjoyed this sweet story for its intriguing premise, excellent interdisciplinary teaching potential, and strong themes of loyalty, courage, identity, purpose, and a classic good vs evil storyline. The subject of art and its potential for both good and bad—and the ways it has been historically utilized to impart truth, preserve culture and story, or evoke sympathies—is seen throughout the book, but fits nicely within the story rather than overpowering it.
The book is from a Christian publisher and there are some subtle Christian references, but these too are not overpowering; this is simply a quality story with positive messaging that can be appreciated by readers of all faiths and backgrounds. This would make a great read-aloud or solo read for fans of the Magic Treehouse or Imagination Station books.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
adancewithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
Thank you to Waterbrook and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
Beneath the Swirling Sky is a fun but also reflective middle grade book.
We meet Vincent who is being driven towards their great-uncle for their vacation with his adoptive sister Lili. Their parents are taking a cruise and think this vacation is a great way for Vincent's great-uncle to get Vincent back into painting. Too bad that Vincent absolutely does not want that to happen.
On the surface this book seems like an easy way to get kids more interested in art and to get them to learn a little about it. But beneath that surface I think this book is also reflective. Kids who might have been ridiculed for their hobby at school like Vincent, will find a lot of understanding in this book. Adults don't often understand what happens to their kid in those situations. And while this book focuses on painting and paintings, there is an open door to other arts and crafts being just as great and just as creative and just as 'art' as paiting. Like Georgia and her pottery.
What was a downside to this book however was that the only relationship that felt developed was the one between Georgia and Vincent. It was clearly to focal point. I didn't quite feel the relationship, the great one as said by text, that Vincent and his younger sister had or that Georgia had spend a lot of time with their great-uncle. I hope that in its sequel, that I expect is coming, this will be remedied.
Beneath the Swirling Sky is a fun but also reflective middle grade book.
We meet Vincent who is being driven towards their great-uncle for their vacation with his adoptive sister Lili. Their parents are taking a cruise and think this vacation is a great way for Vincent's great-uncle to get Vincent back into painting. Too bad that Vincent absolutely does not want that to happen.
On the surface this book seems like an easy way to get kids more interested in art and to get them to learn a little about it. But beneath that surface I think this book is also reflective. Kids who might have been ridiculed for their hobby at school like Vincent, will find a lot of understanding in this book. Adults don't often understand what happens to their kid in those situations. And while this book focuses on painting and paintings, there is an open door to other arts and crafts being just as great and just as creative and just as 'art' as paiting. Like Georgia and her pottery.
What was a downside to this book however was that the only relationship that felt developed was the one between Georgia and Vincent. It was clearly to focal point. I didn't quite feel the relationship, the great one as said by text, that Vincent and his younger sister had or that Georgia had spend a lot of time with their great-uncle. I hope that in its sequel, that I expect is coming, this will be remedied.
zoeymik's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0