Josette Abruzzini
In Vermeer’s Shadow by Josette Abruzzini
WHAT IF…. Johannes Vermeer, the beloved Dutch painter, and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, the uneducated cloth merchant who discovered microbes, were friends? Such is the premise of this 55,000-word MG historical novel, In Vermeer’s Shadow: The Tale of a Scientist & an Artist.
Young Antoni is sent away to school following his mother’s remarriage. He thinks his friend, Johann, with a loving family, is the luckiest boy in Delft. As a sixteen-year-old, Antoni must surrender his dream of a formal education and submit to an apprenticeship. He vows to live an honest life as a cloth merchant. Johann’s paintings bring him adulation, but his uncompromising artistry results in a host of challenges he is ill-prepared to deal with. Amid political chaos, Antoni must choose between honoring his friendship with Johann, and maintaining his reputation as an honest man.
In Vermeer’s Shadow is a carefully-researched novel about friends whose lives are shaped by love, war, disease, and new ideas of Holland’s Golden Age. Does Antoni find the love that he missed as a child? How does he reconcile his need for truth and his friendship with Johann? Does he become the scholar he had always hoped to be?
A former teacher, I’ve designed this cross-curricular vehicle to introduce the history of 17th century science and art, all within a compelling story. This past July, I was published in STEAM-Ed Magazine, and in Downhome Magazine.
If you are curious to read more, I’d be thrilled to send my manuscript your way.
Vote for your favorite pitch. The pitch that receives the most votes will be awarded the “Fan Favorite,” and the author will receive a free one-hour consult with us (worth $250).
Liz Boeder
March 2, 2017 @ 10:33 am
This sounds like a fun and informative read. I’d love to read the manuscript!
Josette Abruzzini
March 9, 2017 @ 9:23 am
Thanks Liz, Carl, Julie and Mandy! It’s been a labor of love!
Carl
March 2, 2017 @ 11:39 am
I Love this one!
Josette Abruzzini
March 10, 2017 @ 3:17 pm
Thanks, as always, Carl!
Julie Manwarren
March 3, 2017 @ 9:20 am
This is a wonderful story and written beautifully. Love your take on the historical possibilities of these two men. 🙂
Josette Abruzzini
March 10, 2017 @ 3:18 pm
Julie
I love that you get “historical possibilities”!
Mandy Montoro
March 3, 2017 @ 5:02 pm
What a great way to tie in STEAM education in a story for children! This is sure to be a great seller!
Josette Abruzzini
March 10, 2017 @ 3:19 pm
Mandy,
It’s wonderful to have the support of such a fine teacher as yourself!
Diane Laden
March 9, 2017 @ 10:02 pm
Best of luck
Josette Abruzzini
March 10, 2017 @ 3:16 pm
Thanks Diane! So happy to have connected with you!
Janelle
March 10, 2017 @ 4:15 pm
Josette, I also love the idea of bringing Vermeer into classrooms. Good luck with this project!
Josette Abruzzini
March 13, 2017 @ 9:23 pm
Thank you Janelle. And best of luck to you as well!
Jo-Ann Steves
March 11, 2017 @ 7:55 am
As always wonderful
Josette Abruzzini
March 16, 2017 @ 9:07 am
Thanks for voting, Jo-Ann!