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I love the cover for Work of Art by Ken La Salle. It fits the story to a T.
MY REVIEW
“Art can be many things, a flower, a stage, and even a mask. We all wear masks. It takes an artist to see a reflection.”
Think about it…are you one person when at home alone, another when with a spouse or child, another at work…
Andy wondered, “Had I done it? Had I really taught kids something?” He hadn’t believed in art, but he is learning as much…or maybe even more…than the kids in his class.
It had all started with Joseph and one flower, blooming into a garden, gathering an unlikely cast of characters. It transcends the art. It was mutually beneficial as they all learn some of life’s lessons.
“…when has life ever been fair…?” Has it treated you fairly?
How do you teach, inspire, create without killing a child’s dreams? And what about the parents. Granted, this is not the best neighborhood, or the best school, but who’s raising the children? Even more important, who is feeding the children? My heart breaks for Joseph…and the others.
I have gotten to know the characters better in this second book and am more invested in their lives, their futures. These kids are labeled and I am sure some of them are considered ‘throwaway’ kids. What I loved the most about them, was how they came together, doing what they felt needed to be done, and figured it out on their own. Andy is drug along for the ride.
“Don’t ever say I don’t help. Do I back into it most of the time with no idea how I got there? Sure. But I do help.” And that describes Andy Hollis. He has his own struggles, has been to jail, been homeless…
I have so many notes for Work of Art by Ken La Salle. This is a difficult book for me to review. I am having a hard time expressing my feelings. I feel it is an indepth glimpse into humanity, showing the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I hope there are a lot more of these kids out there, refusing to acknowledge that ‘you can’t do that.’
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Work of Art by Ken La Salle.
GOODREADS BLURB
Joseph has painted his flowers.
A masterpiece sits in concrete.
Andy Hollis, ersatz instructor of art at Santa Ana High School, has won… if slightly.
He has inspired a classroom of artists, leaving him to decide who will be chosen for the next work of art. Can one high school art club keep shaking the world with its creations or will the art destroy the club? Every brush stroke is crucial and Andy doesn’t know how to paint.
Meanwhile, in a certain parking lot, Joseph’s flowers have taken on a life of their own, garnering unexpected interest with unbelievable results. Andy is faced with a restless artist with a surprising, new following and a work of art that refuses to stay put.
And what about the mysterious artist, Tom? Where has he disappeared to? How can he keep all of his promises? Or does he have something else in mind for the artists? For Andy? Something dark and devastating?
Andy Hollis is no artist but he may need to become one in ways he could never expect. Art can be many things, a flower, a stage, and even a mask.
We all wear masks.
It takes an artist to see their reflection.
ABOUT KEN LA SALLE
Born on an 18th century mining ship, Ken La Salle is not his name. He just likes it. He writes about whatever he damn well pleases, hoping to build more of a cult following than a readership just for a cut on the robes. Looking for the mainstream but sticking to the shore, you can find out more about Ken La Salle at the imaginatively named www.kenlasalle.com.
MY KEN LA SALLE REVIEWS
- False Starts
- Cookies: Sluts of the Snack World
- Heaven Enough
- Heaven Denied
- Heaven For Now
- Wormfood Island
- Work of Art
- Climbing Maya
- Max Dedge in the Time of the Uniborg
- Little Mike
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Sherry,
This was a difficult book to write as well. This entire series is a look into some of the struggles that make any artist and I’m trying to keep it just as grounded (and outlandish) and I can. I appreciate your review and I’m so glad you enjoyed A Reflection of Masks!