Starry Nights
Gr 6-9–Julien is a Parisian teen who loves art and gives tours of the Musée d'Orsay, which his mother runs. He falls in love with the mythological muse Clio, who emerges from a Renoir painting “finally free” and describes herself as “just a 16-year-old girl.” Otherwise, Julien is an ordinary teen with typical issues. It's Julien's passion for art, for feeling it  with his whole heart, that makes him and the novel different. Readers will learn a fair amount about art history and the sometimes-not-so-wonderful personalities of artistic geniuses. This delightful read has enough magic to enchant the most jaded, and it is a welcome break from zombies and dystopias.–Nina Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, MEα(c) Copyright 2013.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.