Modern Art Mayhem: Create Your Own Adventure and Save the Gallery from Disaster

Gr 2–5—Tackling everything from a chandelier made of underpants by Pipilotti Rist to the instantly recognizable The Scream by Edvard Munch, this nonlinear adventure title takes kids on a quest through modern and contemporary art. A fictional director of a local gallery has fallen ill, and readers must fill in to assemble an art exhibit for a competition where both prize money and the gallery's reputation are at stake. The clues require guesswork, and even those well versed in modern art are unlikely to know all the answers. Wrong guesses lead to redirection until all of the correct answers produce a celebratory ending. Photographs of the actual works of art are seamlessly integrated into the cartoonish illustrations as pieces are installed in the gallery. Thirty artists are represented, many of whom are still living. A glossary of art terms for movements and techniques, with vocabulary ranging from basic to sophisticated, reinforces the educational aspect. Guidelines for parents are also included. This sort of puzzle book might appeal to some but may put off those who prefer a more straightforward read. While volumes on modern masters such as Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock abound, this offering is noteworthy for its inclusion of more contemporary artists who work in nontraditional media, such as Olafur Eliasson and Laura Ford.