Brief Description: The daughter of the wealthy banking Pazzi family suffers the aftermath of her family’s attempt to assassinate members of the powerful Medici family. She is forced into hiding as a boy goldsmith apprentice.
Geographical Setting: Europe, Florence, Italy
Historical Era: 15th Century
Date Range: 1478-1482
Keywords: Art and Artists, Italian Renaissance, Lorenzo de' Medici, Pazzi Conspiracy, Sandro Botticelli
Original Publication: 2008
Suitable for Grades: 6-9th
Target Audience: Middle Grade
Librarian's Review
Lorenza “Flora” Pazzi is the youngest (fictional) daughter of the infamous real-life Pazzi family of Renaissance Florence. She gets caught up in the events of the Pazzi Conspiracy, when the men in her family try to wrest control of the city from the Medicis. After their failed assassination attempt, the other Pazzis are killed or driven from the city and she must save herself by disguising as a boy and working as a goldsmith’s apprentice to survive. But will she be recognized?
The painter Sandro Botticelli plays a significant role in this book as a friend of the Pazzi family and as a regular recipient of the Medici family patronage. The book’s title is taken from one of his famous paintings, and it figures prominently in the plot. Many other historical figures also make appearances. This is a wonderful novel, a suspenseful and exciting immersion in Renaissance Florence politics and culture.
I read this book some time ago, before I fully developed my plans for this website. I therefore don’t have a comprehensive list of historical key words. My short review and lack of key word detail in no way reflects my impression of this novel. I highly recommend this read.