The Second Mrs. Gioconda by E.L. Konigsburg

If you are interested in Leonardo da Vinci, and there is a lot more to him than what I told you yesterday, you should read The Second Mrs. Gioconda by E. L. Konigsburg.

You may remember E. L. Konigsburg as the author of From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. She is a fantastic writer and The Second Mrs. Gioconda is another great story.

In this novel meant for readers ages 9-12, Konigsburg gives one possible story of the painting of the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa is an incredibly mysterious painting. We don’t really know much about the woman in the painting and we don’t know what led Leonardo da Vinci to paint her portrait. Konigsburg answers these questions (but remember this book is fiction).

The main character is Salai, one of Leonardo’s servants. Salai never had talent for painting. He was dishonest and he was a thief. Nevertheless, Leonardo liked the boy and kept him around. It is through Salai that you will get to know Leonardo.

I recommend checking out this book.

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