Simply Exquisite

I have to admit when I saw the bug on the cover of Elise Broach's Masterpiece I was not excited.  Well add this to the list of examples of why you shouldn't judge a book by a cover.  Masterpiece was a delightful story. It was so fun to read!  I started the book and read the whole thing in one sitting.  It might have been the most I have enjoyed reading a book all summer. I seriously cannot recommend this book enough.

Masterpiece is the story of Marvin, a beetle, who lives with his family in a New York City apartment.  Marvin and his family coexist peacefully, well as peacefully as beetles can live with humans, with the Pompaday's-the family that lives in the apartment.  Meaning the beetles carefully avoid the humans and the humans don't notice the beetles.  That is until Marvin discovers his special talent which leads to Marvin being discovered by the human boy James.

This book is reminiscent of stories like Ralph S Mouse where one particularly observant child makes an unlikely animal friend.  At it's core Masterpiece is a story of friendship, but that makes it sound Masterpiece has drama and conflict and suspense and love and friendship-in other words all the elements of a simply exquisite story.
sappy.

One of my favorite parts of this book is that it challenges gender stereotypes.  I have talked a lot on this blog about how much I love a strong female lead, or a girl who can do anything, or science fiction mixed with princesses, and all of that is great.  But it is just as great to have a boy who isn't running around wildly being a boss.  It is great to highlight a boy who is quiet and careful.  A boy who is thoughtful and notices the little details.  Because just like all girls aren't little princesses just like all boys aren't little monsters.

Making a masterpiece...that's kids stuff.