The Van Gogh Deception

Perfectly forged art requires skill and artistry, albeit not originality. When buyers and experts cannot tell the difference between an original and a copy, how does one determine what makes a work of art valuable?

Camille is depicted as a talkative, assertive, and confident young girl who challenges authority and speaks her mind. How are these traits demonstrated in the novel? Are they ever problematic? Do they critique or reiterate gender stereotypes?

How are Art and Camille alike? How are they different? What is the foundation of their friendship?

What is the significance of the setting in Washington, DC, during the winter? How do the city’s streets, landmarks, and weather play a role in establishing the tone and/or themes of the novel?

Detective Evans and Art Hamilton Sr. both have careers that require skills at detecting the authentic against the fake. What makes them good detectives? How is Art a good detective?

Choose one of the works linked with a QR code and analyze the significance of the art piece and the corresponding section in the novel. Why is this piece important in the narrative? What does the inclusion of the QR code add to the scene or to the novel as a whole?

Art and Camille are the only children in the novel, whereas many different types of adults appear. Choose two adults and compare and contrast their roles in the novel. How do they relate to the children? What does the novel seem to say about the perspectives of children and the perspectives of adults?

Throughout the novel, Art and Camille must make quick decisions. How do they decide on their course of action? Do they have many options? How do they determine what is safe or dangerous, and does this affect their decision? How does this speak to their developing friendship and thus the novel’s themes?