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(3)
4-6
Rebel Genius series.
In a world where artists have birdlike manifestations of their creative energy called "Geniuses," twelve-year-old Giacomo, his hummingbird Genius Mico, and his friends continue their search for the Sacred Tools while being hunted by a vengeful empress. A journey of self-discovery and belief, the second installment in the Rebel Genius series may be dense for casual middle-grade readers, but its world-building is exceptionally realized.
(4)
4-6
Rebel Genius series.
In a fantasy world based on Renaissance Italy, art is magical and artists have "Geniuses" (bird-like manifestations of the artist's inner-self). But a despotic ruler has outlawed art, killing people's Geniuses. Orphan Giacomo discovers his Genius then joins forces with three young artists-in-hiding to obtain Sacred Tools. Though animation-director DiMartino's writing stumbles at times, his world-building is complex and creative and the adventure is captivating.