Da Vinchi's Cat. A fiction art adventure. By Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Frederico, a pre-teen hostage held by the royal Court of Rome and the artist Michelangelo who the architectural design-maker of the glory of God on the pope's ceiling and a time machine makes this fiction book based on real historical events a diamond gem of fresh beginnings. Frederico knows better than to patronize his enemies. After all, that is not authentic. But, he does obey and honor what it is they want him to do to an extent. For example, he is diligent to learn, keeping the standards of his scholarly studies high and keeping his new friend, while clothing her in best historical accuracy, a girl 500+ years his senior safely by his side. What will the two gain and learn by befriending each other and also the historical figures of the day?

"Bee stared at the man stomping up the corridor with a fistful of hammers. This was Michelangelo? "I forgot these, he barked. His nose lay flat against his face, and paint spattered his clothes. He'd spent so much time looking up at the Sistine Chapel ceiling that he couldn't even straighten his neck. There was something weird about him, she remembered, like he never washed his hands." The young girl although out of her own time becomes comfortable with accepting the truth about the reality of the day and while realizing that no amount of romanticism will change the facts becomes adept enough to see the way that others are.

"Frederico dug through the chest. There - the black cloak. "Exoriate aliquis," he quoted, fumbling for the pocket. "Nostris . . . something." He snatched up the heavy iron key. "Nowhere is safe for a Gonzaga," Senior Pedro continued." Frederico, a real life actual historical figure of a boy himself uncovers some truths about his captors and some of the other adults around him and as this book while fiction, he finds out that sometimes that which is made-up is often the flame that came out of truth. But, "Frederico was in fact not feeling brave in the slightest. All he could think of was Michelangelo's muscled arm with its fistful of hammers, and Michelangelo shredded drawings, his face flushed with rage. If Michelangelo learned of this trespass, Frederico's very life might be at risk. He looked down at the key pilfered from Bramante's key ring. The architect would not be pleased." But was this the key to the truth about all?

A wise cat, possibly from the family of sphinx, feline Juno whose name may mean enlightenment travels freely in and out of the carefully crafted Michelangelo time machine. But, you may need to research that one for yourself. She also brings a certain amount of prophetic revelation to the group of characters. whose art purchasing and selling antics imbalance the economy of the future. This is also known by some of the time travelers - as one man whose 1920's existence saves a young girl from Michelangelo's town from death and evil marauders he also acquires a rare work of art. That touches the heart of present day pre-teen Bee's life in ways that make her a part of the history books themselves. How can she use this to provide for her best friend of them all, her elderly today time female next door neighbor whose economic situation deserves to be better than what it is? Is there some artwork lurking in the time portal of each other's pantries without a signature that another tried to claim as their property and birthright? How can Bee and Fred or Frederico as he is known in his own day and time get down to business and find out what and who is behind the who, what and when and where of this beautiful modern version of a P.G. Wodehouse and Nancy Drew mystery all combined?

In short, the adventures of the wardrobe here bring to memories some opportunities for pure and raw imagination, the richness of young adult literature from a prior century. The days of Narnia and that special brand of writing style which once allowed children to be children when they were, the fantasy that children could grow up at a reasonable rate and would not have to take on adult responsibility before the readied time - such as the way many small children did way back in the booming industrial era before laws were passed to restrict children from being exploited by factory work, illuminates both the work and the play of the children of 'Da Vinchi's Cat.' At the same time, the book shows some of that belief of our historical past. Even dressing children just like adults is brought out by the book. But the best part of all? The writing is such that a child from middle grade to somewhat older than pre-teen would be able to find the story beyond an enjoyable and easy delight to read.