by Lesley M.M. Blume
Amazon Description:
Eleven-year-old Cornelia is the daughter of two world-famous pianists - a legacy that should feel fabulous, but instead feels just plain lonely. She surrounds herself with dictionaries and other books to isolate herself from the outside world. But when a glamorous neighbor named Virginia Somerset moves next door with her servant Patel and a French bulldog named Mister Kinyatta, Cornelia discovers that the world is a much more exciting place than she originally thought.
My Thoughts: To be honest, when I began reading this book I was not sure whether or not I would like it. The young protagonist, Cornelia, was delightful enough, but the first story told by Virginia Somerset seemed to be merely entertainment. How would the storytelling grande dame's adventures propel this middle grade novel? The answer to that is that Ms. Blume skillfully intertwined the lonely life of Cornelia with the intriguing life of her extraordinary neighbor, so that by the end of this novel we have seen Cornelia's life dramatically transformed. I am so glad I completed reading Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters!! In fact, it is now probably one of my favorite children's books. Complete with references to world cities and an in depth look at the world of music, art, and literature, this book is a wonderful novel for the young female bookworm, artist, musician, or budding writer. In fact, it would be a wonderful way to introduce the world of fine arts to a young girl. I would highly recommend Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters to female readers from the ages of eight to twelve.
To learn more about the extraordinary life of Lesley M. M. Blume, the author, click here: http://lesleymmblume.com/bio/
