The Crystal Navigator: A Perilous Journey Back Through Time

By Nancy Kunhardt Lodge, Illustrated by Evi Gstottner and Nancy Kunhardt Lodge

Hardcover: 200 pages Age Range: 8-­‐12 years

Publisher: Wilwahren Press (November 2014) ISBN: 978-­‐0-­‐9960885-­‐3-­‐4

What to Expect: Art, Artists, Adventure, Magic, Dogs, Science, Technology, Time Travel, Renaissance, Historical References

In The Crystal Navigator, Nancy Kunhardt Lodge weaves science, art, and a wise Corgi named Wilbur into an original and enchanting time travel adventure, complete with danger, suspense, and magic. As the story begins, eleven-­‐year-­‐old Lucy Nightingale experiences a major confidence defeating moment in school and when a new and mysterious teacher arrives with a fresh assignment, Lucy is convinced that she needs intervention to meet her own high expectations.

Lucy leans on her best friend Sam, with whom she has always shared a liberal imagination, healthy curiosity, and a deep bank of knowledge on topics like brain waves, gadgets, chromatic aberrations, and crystals. Sam suggests Lucy ask the Wise One, a magic being who listens to kids’ wishes. Lucy follows Sam’s advice and what happens next is a manifestation of every one of Lucy and Sam’s dreams and theories.

Wilbur, a charming Corgi tasked with helping children, appears and takes Lucy back in time to help her with her assignment to decipher five famous artist’s personalities in their paintings. Together, Lucy and Wilbur embark to Europe during significant historical periods to meet Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Jacopo Pontormo, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. This exhilarating experience serves not only as a fact-­‐ finding mission, but also as a journey of self-­‐discovery for Lucy, who learns to gain flight and confidence on her own thoughts. While Lucy has been looking for magic and power to help her fulfill her expectations, she learns that she has the magic within her to free herself from her own insecurities and achieve her dreams.

The Crystal Navigator is a distinct and imaginative tale that creatively brings

together science and art, a captivating combination that will intrigue reluctant and discerning middle grade readers. Lodge’s descriptive narrative poetically illuminates the wonder and potential of science and technology as well as the depth                    and beauty of art, artists, and art appreciation. This valuable and unique perspective, coupled with Lucy’s determination and Wilbur’s endearing spirit, paint The Crystal Navigator as an entertaining and inspiring novel suitable to be shared aloud with boys and girls.

—The Children’s Book Review