num_pages: 40
description: From multiple award-winning author Candace Fleming and Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell comes the true story of a woman who always got what she wanted: Isabella Stewart Gardner.For years the indomitable Isabella Stewart Gardner searched the world for magnificent artwork and filled her home with a truly unique collection with the aim of turning it into a museum which she established in 1903.Isabella always did things her own way. One day she'd wear baseball gear to the symphony the next she'd be seen strolling down the street with zoo lions. It was no surprised that she was very particular about how she arranged her exhibits. They were not organized historically stylistically or by artist. Instead they were arranged based on the connections Isabella felt toward the art a connection she hoped to encourage in her visitors.For years her museum delighted generations of Bostonians and visitors with the collections arranged exactly as she wanted. But in 1990 a spectacular burglary occurred when two thieves disguised as police officers stole thirteen paintings valued at $500 million including a Rembrandt and a Vermeer. They have yet to be recovered though a $10 million reward is still being offered for their safe return.Author Candace Fleming perfectly captures Isabella's inimitable personality and drive accompanied by exuberant illustrations by Matthew Cordell.A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection A CCBC Choice
language: English
title: What Isabella Wanted: Isabella Stewart Gardner Builds a Museum
publisher: Neal Porter Books