Welcome to Gossamer House

During World War II, paintings (along with other valuable artworks and heirlooms) were stolen from people's homes and public spaces such as museums & galleries, at Hitler's request. Despite efforts by heritage officials in Russia, Italy, France, Greece and the UK to hide important works of art, thousands went missing and many of them have never been recovered. 

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These artworks, whether from a private or public collection are invaluable, not because of their monetary significance but for their connection to humanity, history, culture and tradition. Art, literature, music - these are the things that unite people, express individuality but also commonalities and bring us together. The act of returning precious possessions to the families of Holocaust victims is in essence returning a part of their family history, a piece of their loved ones, who can never be replaced. 

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Any form of genocide and mistreatment of people is deplorable, as is the destruction and theft of cultural artefacts. 

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Although, Gossamer House is a fictional story, it explores very real issues including justice, identity and forgiveness. At the start of the book, main character, Leslie Frylander arrives at Castillo d'arte summer camp and is tasked with painting her self-portrait. She's not happy about this, particularly because she has no idea how to represent herself in paint. How do you paint an unpopular girl who loves to read and paint anyway?

 

When she comes across a painting that resembles an older version of herself - in a hidden basement room at Gossamer House - she discovers her previously unknown family history. Her Jewish great grandmother was part of the resistance in Italy during World War II. She sadly died before her grandmother was born and the family knew little about her life.

 

Leslie, with help from her new friend and fellow camper, Nick, plunges into a world of hidden secrets and ghostly beings whilst attempting to thwart a thief from stealing the Gossamer's entire art collection - which is actually a cache of stolen art from WWII.

 

Throughout her struggle for justice, newly (and unlikely) formed friendships and the discovery of her family history, Leslie's own identity becomes clear. With a renewed sense of purpose, she's inspired to complete her self-portrait. 

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