I LOVED this book. E. L. Konigsburg has been one of my favourite writers since I was a child. I love how her books are so simple, and yet so sophisticated, at the same time. The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World gives children credit—assuming that they are smart enough to understand big themes like artistic expression and political persecution. Also, the art mystery will probably appeal to people who liked From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.