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4.5
The reading level here is clearly aimed for middle-school and late-elementary readers. Yet I, an adult, found this novel a delectable web of suspense and intrigue, as well as a welcome refresher on artist Frida Kahlo. 7th-grader Paloma is the main character, who must sacrifice four weeks of her summer off from school, to take a trip with her mom out of the U.S. to visit where Kahlo lived in Mexico. Paloma half-heartedly takes this opportunity to pick up some Spanish, which she never got to learn.A fan of a modern-day Nancy Drew-type book series, Paloma is unexpectedly encouraged to sleuth for a lost jewelry piece (tied to the famed artist) -- thus, ironically, she adopts her heroine's detective role. But she begins to face confusion and dilemmas, when her new friends and acquaintances appear to be tied to a high-stakes robbery. Along the way, Paloma gains an appreciation for her late father's Mexican heritage.If any parents are concerned their kids might be exposed to Frida's politics or trysts through this tale, rest assured the book focuses instead on Frida's art. My main critique: I would've preferred seeing one scenario (involving a smartphone light) re-worded, to avoid what initially seemed to me a contradiction. My favorite character was the fortune-telling street vendor. I strongly enjoyed the "Author's Note" at the end, explaining the real-life inspirations to this novel.
