Children - Fiction & Literature, Fiction - People, Places & Cultures

The 7th Knot

Name: The 7th Knot
Author: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 9780761453680

by Kathleen Karr

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Synopsis

Two brothers touring Europe in the 19th century become embroiled in a mystery involving Albrecht Durer's knot woodcuts and a secret German society when they go in search of ...

Elisabeth Greenberg - Children's Literature

This period piece perfectly captures the language, style, and financial exuberance of the turn of the century. Brother Wick and Miles Forrester transform their mother's punishment joining Uncle Eustace on his 1896 art-buying expedition into a rollicking European adventure. Uncle Eustace's servant, Jose Gregorio, introduces Miles and Wick, as well as the reader, to the Masters of the art world, an area of their education that has been sorely neglected. When Jose Gregorio disappears in Florence and Uncle Eustace succumbs to gout, Wick and Miles discover that Jose Gregorio is more than he seems, perhaps even a spy on the trail of a German secret society. They chase suspicious characters, including the art dealer Polisson, follow clues, and spy on the secret Durerbund only to end up locked in a dungeon in Pegnitz Castle with Jose Gregorio. The scientific Miles constructs a bomb to help the trio escape and soon they are on the trail again of the German conspiracy that celebrates the fatherland and hopes to take over Europe. Can they foil the plot in time? Only by destroying the first fleet of hot air balloons and enjoying a hair-raising ride of their own. Engaging characters and fantastic plot make this story lots of fun. Try this book on reluctant readers who love adventure and sly humor. 2003, Marshall Cavendish,

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Editorials

Children's Literature

This period piece perfectly captures the language, style, and financial exuberance of the turn of the century. Brother Wick and Miles Forrester transform their mother's punishment—joining Uncle Eustace on his 1896 art-buying expedition—into a rollicking European adventure. Uncle Eustace's servant, Jose Gregorio, introduces Miles and Wick, as well as the reader, to the Masters of the art world, an area of their education that has been sorely neglected. When Jose Gregorio disappears in Florence and Uncle Eustace succumbs to gout, Wick and Miles discover that Jose Gregorio is more than he seems, perhaps even a spy on the trail of a German secret society. They chase suspicious characters, including the art dealer Polisson, follow clues, and spy on the secret Durerbund only to end up locked in a dungeon in Pegnitz Castle with Jose Gregorio. The scientific Miles constructs a bomb to help the trio escape and soon they are on the trail again of the German conspiracy that celebrates the fatherland and hopes to take over Europe. Can they foil the plot in time? Only by destroying the first fleet of hot air balloons and enjoying a hair-raising ride of their own. Engaging characters and fantastic plot make this story lots of fun. Try this book on reluctant readers who love adventure and sly humor. 2003, Marshall Cavendish,
— Elisabeth Greenberg

School Library Journal

Gr 7-9-In this historical mystery, brothers Wick and Miles are sent to spend the summer with their rich Uncle Eustace, an 1890s robber baron touring Europe to purchase "High Art." After Eustace's mysterious valet, Jose Gregorio, is kidnapped, the brothers follow his trail and become involved with the Durerbund, a nationalistic secret society that honors painter Albrecht Durer. In a series of adventures involving dungeons, explosions, airships, and secret rooms, the brothers are reunited with Jose, and they race across Europe to stop the Durerbund before its plans to conquer Europe come to fruition. The action-filled, fast-paced plot and maturing of the boys from delinquents into heroes-and their interest in nude paintings-will appeal to a wide audience. While background characters remain caricatures, Wick, Miles, and Jose are fully human and entertaining. Karr smoothly integrates information about Durer and other painters into the plot, and she uses the historical Durerbund, with its shades of Nazism, to good effect. The well-crafted plot and nonstop action will catch readers' attention from the first chapter and lead them to the satisfying conclusion, and they may even be motivated to look at an art book or two.-Beth L. Meister, Yeshiva of Central Queens, Flushing, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.