Synopses & Reviews
Fantastic illustrations with a fresh, contemporary look enrich this debut novel about a 10-year-old aspiring artist stuck living with an aunt, uncle, and cousin who clearly don't recognize her genius. A humorous and heartfelt reminder that "a brilliant artist is never afraid," this book reveals that sometimes our greatest masterpieces are the bonds we unexpectedly forge with the people in our lives.
Review
BOOKLIST
Noonie['s]...pain and vulnerability are as evident as her belief in herself as an artist, and by the end of the story, she'll have readers in her corner.
Review
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
With the help of Ms. Lilly, the eye-opening results of an art contest, and a humorous pep talk by Van Gogh and other masters, Noonie comes to accept both her eccentricity and her loving, if not ideal, family. Readers with similar worries may find this a rewarding, if not masterful, pep talk as well.
Review
KIRKUS REVIEWS
Filled with the self-absorption and longing that is a hallmark of her age, Noonie's rambling, heartfelt story will appeal to young artists who are, like Noonie, trying to find where they belong in their world or just their family.
Review
DISCOVERY GIRLS
"Fast, funny, and filled with Noonie's wild art."
About the Author
Lisa Railsback was a Jerome Fellow at the Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis and a Michener Fellow in Writing at the University of Texas at Austin. Her plays have been performed across the United States. Noonie's Masterpiece was originally a play. She lives in Austin, Texas.
Sarajo Frieden is an illustrator and fine artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries all over the world. Her work appears frequently in magazines and art venues, and her clients range from the New Yorker to UNICEF. Visit her Web site at sarajofrieden.com.