The Puzzle in the Portrait

By Eleanor Florence Rosellini

It's not easy solving a mystery when your partner is your squirmy kid brother whose favorite book is "The Encyclopedia of the Totally Disgusting." It's even harder when the mystery is over a hundred years old and based on a family secret hidden for generations in an old family portrait. The two sleuths learn that family memories are fragile gifts that can be lost forever if no one takes the time to listen.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578601274
• ISBN13: 9781578601271
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Clerisy Press, Guild Press of Indiana
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.3" x 6.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

My Son Loves This Book

My son's 2nd grade teacher is finishing reading this book to his class, and ever since she started he comes home talking about it. He loves that it's a mystery, which is so cool to kids this age. His entire class is captivated (I saw this first hand when I was in the classroom today while his teacher was reading it). My son has asked for me to find out what other books are available in this series. It is rare to find a book that can get boys and girls so excited about reading.

A great family read for the whole family!

What great fun our family had reading Eleanor Rosellini's "The Puzzle in the Portrait!" Our 3 boys were 7, 9 and 12 at the time, and each one of them just loved this treasure of a book, whether they were reading independently or being read to aloud. We are all mystery lovers -- and this story kept us guessing, and wondering what would happen next. "Just one more chapter!" was a refrain I kept hearing, even from my youngest! There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments too, often thanks to the character they could relate to so easily -- Elizabeth's wacky and super-energized younger brother Jonathan. As a parent, one of the things I appreciated most was that this book gets a young reader thinking about how precious one's family history is, how much fun it can be to uncover it, and how important it is to preserve it for future generations. "The Puzzle in the Portrait" is a wonderful read, not only for boys and girls of all ages, but their parents too!

A Little Treasure

In the opening chapter of this little book, the first in a series (see my review of The Mystery of the Ancient Coins) we meet three generations of a midwest family, including a precocious little girl; her over-energized brother; and a grumpy grandfather, hard "like a table with sharp edges." What evolves is a thoroughly engaging "hystery," with its roots in the family's ancestors who settled here in the 1800's. I recommend The Puzzle in the Portrait as a perfect addition to a summer reading list. It is also a perfect read aloud bedtime book. There should be more books like this where children exercise their minds, using their wits and skills, and delight in the process.

An Interesting Mystery for Kids

This is the first book about a sister and brother named Elizabeth and Jonathan Pollack who become famous for solving a family mystery. There are good characters, lots of funny things about the kids and their family, and interesting clues and characters along the way. I would recommend this book to any kid who has a good imagination, likes to read, and enjoys mysteries. I read it with my Dad. It is one of the best books I have ever read. Mrs. Rosellini also wrote a second book about these ace detectives called The Mystery of the Ancient Coins. I recommend that one, too. Plus, I once got to meet the author and she told lots of interesting things about how she comes up with ideas, and family treasures, and other books she has worked on and is working on.

The Puzzle in the Portrait

The Puzzle in the Portrait (written by my mom), is a must read book. For all the last minute christmas shoppers, this is an ideal gift for your children. The age group for this book is children up to twelve years old. I thought this was a very interesting and funny book which not only will entertain children, it will also teach a valuable lesson in the keeping of family memories. Children can relate to the story in the boisterous and comical Jonathan or the thoughtful, think before you act Elizabeth. This is a terrific mystery story and a great holiday gift! But even after Christmas, this will make a great gift.