February 13, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

Chasing Mona Lisa




Review

Ever since high school, I have been fascinated by historical fiction about World War II. I have read many novels about this era and enjoy learning new things through this medium. Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey is a fabulous addition to this genre of literature.

Have you ever read a novel and thought to yourself, “I could see this as a movie”? Chasing Mona Lisa is one of those novels. It is set toward the end of World War II, just as Paris is being liberated from the Nazis. The novel covers less than a week, but I felt like it was much longer. With its vivid language, captivating characters, and intriguing sub-stories, the story immediately grabbed my attention. Here’s why:

  • Amazing historical details woven throughout–unless you have a degree in World War II history, you are bound to learn a few new things!
  • Emotional impact–you will want to cheer and cry
  • Great writing–the well-crafted descriptions make a word lover swoon
  • Characters that pull on your heart strings
I can easily see homeschoolers using this for studying creative writing, history, and geography. If your student is a bit more sensitive to graphic scenes, then you may want to pre-read the book or read it together. There is nothing over the top, but it does take place during a time in history when death and destruction were prevalent.

If you like great historical fiction like me, or if you enjoy a well-written race against time, then I highly recommend Chasing Mona Lisa. I loved the writing so much that now I have to go chase down the first book Goyer and Yorkey wrote together–The Swiss Courier.


About the Reviewer

Jenny Herman
Though a newbie to the homeschool community, Jenny Herman is not new to education. She uses her experience from teaching elementary school to help her provide the best experience possible for her two young sons, affectionately known on her blog as Dr. J and Meatball. Dr. J discovers life through the filter of Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. Jenny strives to write candidly so other parents of special needs children know they are not alone, and so other new homeschooling parents will be encouraged. You’ll find lots of interesting stories about finding grace in autism over at her blog, ManyHatsMommy.com.




3 Comments


  1. Oh, Jenny, you are going to *love* The Swiss Courier! So much fun! Here’s my review of both: http://www.raisingrealmen.com/2012/02/virtuous-spy-thrillers-really/

    Melanie


  2. Dianna Thomas

    hmmmmmmm–interesting


  3. Diane

    It sounds like a good book.



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