  | Julieta and the diamond enigma Author: Duarte Armendariz, Luisana | |
| Price: $24.46 | ||
Summary:
When a diamond goes missing from the Louvre, it is up to nine-year-old Julieta to identify the thief, exonerate her father, and return home to Boston before her baby brother is born. Includes glossary of French and Spanish words and notes about the Regent Diamond, Athena, and works of art mentioned in the book.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.70 Points: 5.0 Quiz: 510007 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (04/01/20)
School Library Journal (00/05/20)
Booklist (05/01/20)
The Hornbook (00/11/20)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 05/01/2020 Nine-year-old Julieta is bursting with excitement over her upcoming trip to Paris. She’ll be accompanying her father, an art handler for Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, on a trip to pick up pieces from the Louvre. A few days into their trip, however, a thief absconds with the most valuable object they were to take to Boston, the Regent Diamond. Because they were first on the scene, the pair become suspects in the crime, but ever-alert Julieta may have gathered enough clues to catch the real jewel thief. Though Julieta’s impulsive and energetic personality sometimes makes her feel younger than nine, she is an endearing protagonist, and the loving relationship she has with her parents makes them an important presence in the narrative. The incorporation of French and Spanish words and phrases adds another valuable layer to the text, which also includes additional information on some of the art featured in the story. While the mystery isn’t terribly complex, readers will enjoy seeing Paris with the irrepressible Julieta. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 05/01/2020 Gr 3–6—Nine-year-old Julieta and her father are going on a trip to Paris for his job at the art museum in Boston. While they are there, one of the important pieces they are supposed to bring back to the United States, the Regent Diamond, goes missing, and Julieta's father might be blamed. They must find out the truth or her father will lose his job. Pitched as a mystery, this reads more like a family story, as Julieta's mom is home pregnant and a majority of the focus is on Julieta and her father making it back on time for the birth. Also, Julieta does not sleuth like most main characters in mysteries; things simply tend to happen near or around her. There is a great deal of interesting information about Paris and various Greek gods, but those segues often take away from the mystery aspect of the novel. Despite these missteps, Julieta is a likable, bilingual character who will appeal to a middle grade audience. VERDICT Give to readers who enjoy adventures and travel, but for more prominent mysteries try Stuart Gibbs or Carl Hiaasen.—Tegan Anclade, Lake Villa District Library, IL - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
