The Chalk Artist By: Allegra Goodman

The synopsis on the dust jacket led me to believe that this would be a good book...this was misleading...it is GREAT book!  Aside form the fact that I knew where (and in a lot of instances have visited) most of the locations in this book, it is a lovingly crafted character study.  The main characters all have a gift, what they choose to do with that gift throughout the book is what sets the action in motion.  How they discover their gift, or don't, how it hinders or enhances themselves and those around them is what keeps the reader engrossed.  Even the supporting characters follow this same path.  We each have our own unique gift, whether it's something tangible or something less so, like a personality trait; and these gifts affect people whether we know it or not.  Just a splendid read!