The Picture Visitors: A Case for the Van Gogh Agency

Gr 3-6–Londoner Vincent Fox, 13, calls himself a “picture visitor”—he can enter paintings, travail the world inside, and pass between portals that connect the artist’s works. An avid fan of van Gogh, Vincent loves visiting Starry Night through the sketch in his grandpa Arthur's home, and helps the National Gallery director Nora in exchange for private picture-visiting time in the museum. When he is tasked with finding a stolen painting, Vincent makes a shocking discovery: a rambunctious fellow picture visitor named Holly who contrasts him in every way. The two children locate the missing artwork, but find themselves embroiled in a new mystery involving art theft, alchemy, and shocking betrayal. This enjoyable novel, translated from German, is peppered with art history facts and tidbits that will have artistic tweens eagerly researching as they read. The jovial odd-couple dynamics of Vincent and Holly, and Vincent's grandpas (grandfather Arthur and his longtime roommate and business partner Henry) ensure cheeky humor complements the action. The pacing lags in the middle and somewhat rushes to a pat conclusion, but patient readers won't mind. An author's note and "About the Paintings" section provide a list of the artwork referenced with context, so tweens can find visual references. The ending establishes the Van Gogh Agency, implying more adventures for this fun crew.