Midnight in the Piazza

November 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-Beatrice Archer is determined, perhaps even destined, to solve a series of interconnecting mysteries in this lavish tale of secrets and synchronicity. Just before her 13th birthday, Beatrice's father gets a prestigious job in Rome. Although initially opposed to the move, Beatrice is clever and curious, and the lure of the ancient city's rich culture piques her interest. She becomes more intrigued when she sees the beautiful fountain-complete with four bronze turtles-in the piazza outside her new apartment building, and hears rumors about a local curse. One night, she witnesses a theft at the fountain, but is unable to convince her father it has happened. Undeterred, Beatrice embarks on a mission that leads her to discover some tragic truths behind the local legends, and interrupt a major art heist in the process. In this cleverly crafted story, Beatrice is a delightfully quirky character, and an avid lover and user of knowledge. The only drawback is how frequently she lets the attitude and opinion of Marco influence her. VERDICT Recommended for avid readers who appreciate artsy mysteries.-Whitney LeBlanc, KIPP New Orleans Schools

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 8, 2018
Beatrice Archer isn’t pleased when her art historian father is offered a position at the American Academy in Rome. However, the 13-year-old quickly discovers that there are advantages to being a young expat in Italy beyond ready access to gelato. From her window overlooking Piazza Mattei and the famous Fontana delle Tartarughe in the Jewish quarter, Beatrice witnesses someone steal the bronze turtles that give the fountain its name, then replace them with fakes. Her father refuses to believe her story, so Beatrice enlists a local boy, Marco, to help her investigate. Debut author Parks, herself an expat living in Rome, laces Beatrice’s fictional investigation with Italian phrases (translated in footnotes) and information about Roman architecture, art, and history, giving readers a window into contemporary life among centuries-old artwork and ruins. She keeps Beatrice’s adventure moving at a fast clip, even addressing a few things that skeptical readers may find overly coincidental through a conversation with a neighbor who explains synchronicity. It’s a charming love letter to Rome with an exciting mystery at its core. Ages 8–12. Agent: John Silbersack, Trident Media Group.

January 15, 2018
Moving to Rome unexpectedly would be hard for any 13-year-old, but via a series of mysterious synchronicities, Beatrice Archer soon finds herself embroiled in international art intrigue as well.One night Beatrice witnesses a (bronze) turtle theft from her bedroom window overlooking the Fontana di Tartarughe (Turtle Fountain) in the Piazza Mattei. While her father, who heads the history department at the American Academy of Rome, is skeptical of what she saw, soon redheaded, white Beatrice is drawn into the legend behind the sculpture and the history of the Mattei family who commissioned it, including the fate of the long-suffering 16th-century duchess Caterina. Forced to marry a harsh man that she didn't love, the duchess found solace in her diary (excerpted in the book) and a secret room below her palazzo, which Beatrice and her new friend Marco, a white Italian boy who's fluent in English, seek to find. Eventually Beatrice deepens her understanding of the Jewish Ghetto neighborhood. Although a few plot details strain credulity, debut author Parks keeps the story moving at a jaunty pace, with rich context, footnoted Italian phrases, and art history pitched at just the right level and tone for middle graders. Readers can find online photos of the sculpture and the Palazzo Mattei di Giove to follow along, and an author's note provides further context.Just like gelato: dense, tasty fun that you can eat with a spoon. (Mystery. 8-12)

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November 1, 2017
Grades 4-7 In her debut, Parks offers mystery-lovers a cross between E. L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1967) and Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code (2003). Thirteen-year-old Beatrice had no interest in moving to Rome for her father's new job, but the city's rich history and beauty win her over almost immediately. She is particularly drawn to the Fontana delle tartarughe (Turtle Fountain), and becomes obsessed with learning its history. When Beatrice catches someone stealing the turtles from the fountain, she's positive the theft is somehow connected to the tragic tale of Caterina Matteia member of the family that commissioned the fountainand the amateur sleuth becomes entangled in a dangerous art-crime ring. Parks' engaging novel is packed with historical tidbits pertaining to the real Fontana delle tartarughe and Mattei family. While the mystery might have been stronger without its reliance on Beatrice's hunches and philosophy of synchronicity, readers will enjoy exploring ancient palaces, ruins, and secret rooms with this intrepid detective.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)