I always enjoy Konigsburg‘s writing and this one doesn’t disappoint. This novel is perfect for a middle grade reader who wants to add a fun bit of historical fiction about Da Vinci or the renaissance time period. It would make a great starting point to then find out what parts are true concerning Da Vinci’s life.

I wanted to like this children's book more than I did because Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler was one of my absolute favorites when I was a kid, one I reread multiple times, and one I've given as a gift many times.

My main issue with this book, though it has a great premise, is that there's not enough characterization or even plot. It also needs more atmosphere and 'place', and less straight 'telling'. In From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler , I felt like I was in the museum with the two children. Even if I'd read this book as a child, I don't think I would've felt like I was in Italy with the main character.

However, as a kid, I would've been happy to see that the reproductions of the paintings mentioned in the book are included in the back. That, along with the tidbits about the paintings in the novel itself, would probably get a young reader interested even more in da Vinci.

A side note: I don't know why the cover says 'Giaconda' when it is clearly written 'Gioconda' on the title page and in the text.

Italy
the late 1400s

I'm impressed. Konigsburg has given readers a brilliantly imagined narrative about a time, a place, a person, and a painting. I'm left wondering why she didn't target adults instead of young readers. The issues, politics, and personalities would mean more to an older audience.

While the Mona Lisa is used to build the story and neatly pull together the ending, there are references to other paintings by daVinci, notably The Last Supper and to a lesser extent Cecilia Gallerani (lady with weasel). Both of these paintings (as well as others) are reproduced at the end of this printing, but the quality is exceptionally poor, which is too bad. I'll watch for a better edition.

A minor point, but one I appreciate: On pages 95-96, Konigsburg stresses 'responsibility,' and how it needs to be taken seriously in order to be a trustworthy adult. This reflects my own beliefs and my frustration whenever I hear someone proclaiming that they 'have rights,' totally oblivious to the fact that along with 'rights' we have responsibilities.

I don't know enough about da Vinci to comment on accuracy.

I guess I should pick up one of the several biographies of DaVinci that have been languishing on my shelves for far too long.

tMy opinion on the book is that it is a good book for entertaining purposes and learning purposes. We read this book in school, this taught me a lot about the Renaissance unit, even though I had to read this book, I would read it again out of school. The plots kept it interesting, this book would bore me every once in a while but that happens with the majority of the books that I read. I could write many notes based on the book, because of the clear language and interesting choice of words. I was impatient when it came to the name of the book, throughout the book I would wonder where the name came from, and finally, at the very end of the book, we figured out what it meant. In my opinion, the end of the book was the best part, the final words made me jump out of my chair in shock and satisfaction. Overall, the book was written very beautifully and I would recommend it for anyone who wants to learn about the Renaissance or is looking for an entertaining book to read.

A quiet, little book. Not the best, but certainly a good read.

Why did Leonardo da Vinci choose his apprentice to be Salai, a thief, liar, and untalented artist? Through the eyes of Salai, you will find that the hardships, death, demands, and secrets will all lead to the significance behind a portrait of a plain merchant’s wife. E.L. Konigsburg has done a great job of helping readers get a better understanding of the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci, and life during the Renaissance. As you read through this book, you will find that the story is not just about a skilled artist and his pickpocketing apprentice, but about the meaning behind the famous painting, the Mona Lisa.
The way the author uses foreshadowing is very smart because it continuously intrigues the reader, including me, to want to read more. Another reason I enjoyed reading this book was because we are currently studying the renaissance and this helped me understand more. It links life during the renaissance with a story about an unusually popular painting which makes it an interesting story.
In chapter 11, I thought it had a little too much detail which took away from the meaning behind it. The author wrote too much about every single detail about Salai and Beatrice and I got a little bit lost in what the purpose of the chapter was for. In the general scheme, I found this book quite captivating because I found it interesting to read someone’s perspective on a great work of art. Although, I only read this book because I had to in class, I would read it on my own time because it has lots of unexpected events, character development, and startling plot twists that make it fun to read.
Milan is the main place in this story that many different characters with many unique personalities that fill it such as Leonardo, Salai, and many Duchesses and Dukes. As the story unravels, many of the characters personalities change and you get to see their many different sides. For example Leonardo’s personalities are discovered by Salai, ‘He could turn blush pink in one situation, be yellow in another and true blue in a third. His makeup was a whole pallette. The colour he carried in largest supply was laughter.’ Many unexpected events happen near the end which leaves everyone worried for the other characters. Just to let you know, in the end all of these questions you may have are satisfyingly answered. Although between each chapter the author leaves you with a cliffhanger, it just provokes you to read more and makes it a fun read. Now that I am done reading it, I’m curious to learn more about people's interpretations on the reasons behind other structures, paintings, and other creative inventions during the Renaissance.

Why did Leonardo da Vinci paint the portrait of the plain second wife of a a merchant, the Mona Lisa? The Second Mrs. Giocondafollows the story of Salai, Leonardo’s young servant, through his friendship with another plain woman, the Duchess Beatrice, in order to attempt to answer this question. The book is a quick read and quite interesting. I recommend this book to middle grade age kids who are interested in or studying da Vinci.

The Second Mrs. Gioconda
By: E.L.Konigsburg
Simon & Schuster, 1975, 140 pages
Young Adult Historical Fiction
tWhy did the well-known Leonardo da Vinci choose a savage 10 year old as his apprentice? E.L.Konigsburg plunges readers through the lives of da Vinci and his assistant - Salai - as they help each other through hardships, death, and unexpected challenges that leads to the answer of why the painting of the merchant’s wife came to be.
t“Thoroughly entertaining and believable. A unique bid of creative historical interpretation and a slice of Renaissance life.” by the School Library Journal. The Second Mrs. Gioconda explains non-fictional events with the help of Konigsburg’s imagination that turns basic history into a great, attention grabbing book. I enjoyed reading this novel, because it had lots of plots and surprising events that made this piece fun to read. It explained its characters and settings in detail so I wasn’t confused about anything. The Second Mrs. Gioconda ties in with the grade 8 social studies curriculum, which I feel makes this book successful. For example, through this book I have learned about life under a Duke or Duchess and how royalty acted in the Middle Ages, as well as other small facts like some known artworks of Leonardo and names of duchesses that existed during the Renaissance.
The Second Mrs. Gioconda mainly takes place in Milan, Europe and a bit in Pavia, Europe. It is read mostly through Salai’s perspective (Leonardo’s assistant) and has an omniscient narrator. Characters in this novel include Leonardo, Salai and royalty that comes into conflict with Salai’s heart. The book gives you a calm but sometimes anxious feeling, and the ending satisfies your curiosity. Most of its drama happens after a tragedy that influences some true colors that show in the characters. The resolution does not come as soon as most people expect it would, but the author has a good purpose in doing so; it helps the story flow better and increases the curiosity of the reader. There are some plots and twists that might pop at you, but it all resolves at the end.
tIn my opinion, I feel that this novel is a great story to read, but maybe the author should have considered chapter 11 where the Duchess of Milan and Salai count coins on fish. I think that scene was unnecessary, because it was silly how Salai needed fish to count coins. It slows the drama down, and was boring to read since it happened so long. However, I think that E.L.Konigsburg had a good purpose and she did achieve it though this book; to teach about the Middle Ages and to entertain kids about it. Overall, the novel helped me learn about the Renaissance and it had a very good ending. I would recommend this to others, but maybe either around my age or to people who need something to read. I don’t think some older students would bother reading this book, because they might not be interested in the Renaissance. But students like me would be a good age to read this novel, because it isn’t immensely terrifying which might not be preferred by Jr High students.

One possible story/explanation for the Mona Lisa and the person who it is a portrait of. I appreciated the information about Leonardo's apprentice Salai, who I hadn't heard of before reading this book.

A quick and engaging read.

Loved reading this one again. It emphasized not trying too hard to impress other people. Just overall a really refreshing read.

Excellent.

“This was a woman who knew that she was not pretty and who had learned to live with that knowledge. This was a woman whose acceptance of herself had made her beautiful in a deep and hidden way. A woman whose look told you that you were being sized by a measuring rod in her head; a measuring rod on which she alone had etched the units. A woman who knew how to give pleasure and how to give pain. A woman who knew how to endure. A woman of layers.”