Published: 2021
Series: N/A
Author: Caroline Gertler
Illustrator: N/A
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 5-8
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars)
Goodreads Link: Many Points of Me
Triggers: Death of parent (cancer)
Review By: Denice Buchanan
Publisher’s Summary:
When Georgia finds a secret sketch her late father—a famed artist—left behind, the discovery leads her down a path that may reshape everything holding her family and friends together. Georgia Rosenbloom’s father was a famous artist. His most-well-known paintings were a series of asterisms—patterns of stars—that he created. One represented a bird; one, himself; and one, Georgia’s mother. There was supposed to be a fourth, but Georgia’s father died before he could paint it. Georgia’s mother and Georgia’s best friend, Theo, are certain that the last asterism would’ve been of Georgia, but Georgia isn’t so sure. She isn’t sure about anything anymore—including whether Theo is still her best friend.
Then Georgia finds a sketch her father made of her. One with pencil points marked on the back—just like those in the asterism paintings. Could this finally be the proof that the last painting would have been of her? Georgia’s quest to prove her theory takes her around her Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City and to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was almost a second home to Georgia, since she had visited favorite artists and paintings there constantly with her father. But the sketch leads right back to where she’s always belonged—with the people who love her, no matter what.
Review:
“Many Points of Me” is Caroline Gertler’s debut novel, and is one that was captivating for an art lover like myself. Georgia, the story’s protagonist, is dealing with the recent loss of her father, famed artist Hank Rosenbloom. Her mother is working tirelessly curating a show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to honor and remember Georgia’s father. The showstopper pieces are Hank’s paintings called the asterisms, groups of stars that represent different important things in his life. Georgia and her mom know there was supposed to be a fourth painting, which had never begun before Hank passed away from cancer.
Georgia is struggling with finding out who she really is, what part art has in her life, and the fact that her best friend, Theo, has taken the loss of her father as hard as she has. Her art class has been tasked with creating self-portraits for not only as assignments, but for possible entries into the prestigious NYC ART competition, something Georgia and Theo have been dreaming about entering for years, but Georgia is not confident that she even wants to enter. After discovering a sketch of herself at age 10 done by her father, Georgia begins to think that it may be the beginning of her dad’s last asterism, but how can she prove it?
Georgia works through feelings about friendships, family and a lot about herself, and ultimately discovers that as confusing as life is, being true to yourself is the key to it all. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the message of self-exploration, inner conflict, and finding life’s purpose, and think students and adults alike will find it a great read. Gertler, who has a MA in art history and gives tours of the Old Master paintings at the MET, really captured the essence of life as a tween in New York City. The story of Georgia was relatable and incredibly heartfelt, and simply shows that life doesn’t go in one smooth path, but that you can always find your way back.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
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- Art & Art History: Explicit connections to art history, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the creative process. The book perfectly aligns with visual arts curricula focusing on self-portraits, artistic legacy, and artistic expression as a coping mechanism.
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Deep connections to grief, navigating changing childhood friendships, identity formation, self-exploration, and managing inner conflict.
- Extension Activity / Library Application:
- Self-Portrait Asterisms: Have students or library book club members create their own “asterism” self-portraits. Following the theme of the book, students can plot out a connect-the-dots pattern or map of points that represent core elements of their identities, hobbies, or loved ones, mirroring the art style of Georgia’s father.
- Metropolitan Museum Virtual Tour: Organize a library or classroom activity exploring the Old Master paintings at the MET, allowing students to step into the setting that Caroline Gertler beautifully details.
- Diversity & Representation:
- The book meaningfully explores the diverse and authentic inner life of a tween navigating grief and identity development in a urban setting (New York City). It honors the unique emotional experiences of children dealing with the profound loss of a parent, providing mirrors and windows for students navigating complex familial changes and emotional healing.
Readalikes:
- The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
- Glitter Gets Everywhere by Yvette Clark
- The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-McGinnis
