The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicolas Day. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. Random House Studio, 2023. All ages, but published as a children's chapter book.

You're heard this before, but this is probably the best book I have read all year. I do love a good art heist book as readers of this blog are aware. But, Nicholas Day has created a fascinating look at da Vinci era Florence, the early 1900's in Paris, the connection Pablo Picasso had to a theft of the Mona Lisa from The Louvre, and the creation of police work involving finger printing. And, he does it with humor and complete bibliography and references! The only thing missing is an actual photograph of the painting herself...and photos of the Gainsborough stolen portrait and the statues Picasso used to paint ears! The book may finally receive the readership due it since it has been placed on the Texas Lone Star book list for middle grades.