The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World is a young adult novel by E.L. Konigsburg, who has won two Newbery Medals and one Newbery Honor. It was first published in 2007.[1]
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Amedeo Kaplan and his mother move from New York to Florida. He is interested in their neighbor, Mrs. Zender, a one-time diva and retired opera singer. His interest in his neighbor leads to him becoming friends with his classmate, William Wilcox, who helps Mrs. Zender out in her house. The boys work together and tell stories. The boys' wish is to be the first person to find a lost treasure. Amedeo has the urge to go to Mrs. Zender's house although he does not know why. The boys find a signed Modigliani in Mrs. Zender's stuff. Amedeo tells his godfather, Peter Vanderwaal, about it. Peter is preparing an art exhibition that has to do with World War II. The sketch reveals secrets about Peter's father during the German occupation of Amsterdam, Mrs. Zender's past, and how the two are related.
Angela Leeper, of Book Page, reviewed the book saying, "Each interlocking piece of this mystery produces an astounding puzzle that shows the importance of art, history, family and friendship. For middle-grade readers and younger teens, The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World is a true find!"[2] Matt Berman, of Common Sense Media, reviewed the book saying, "This is clearly not for everyone, or even for most. Konigsburg not only writes about gifted children, she expects her experienced readers to be equally clever, to be comfortable with ambiguity and sophisticated vocabulary (or at least willing to look things up), and to be willing not only to read, but to think."[3] Mark David Bradshaw, of Watermark Book, reviewed the book saying, "The interplay between these characters is subtle and absorbing, and Konigsburg does a masterly job of showing us that the biggest truths can’t just be dug up or dusted off—they can only be discovered by attempting to understand the crazy and amazing hearts of the people around us."[4]