Nonna's Book of Mysteries

At age fourteen, all Emilia Serafini wants is to learn to paint so that she can become an artist. But painters' apprenticeships for young women don't exist in the Florence of Renaissance Italy. The odds appear stacked against her until she receives a fascinating book, A Manual to the Science of Alchemy. It was once her grandmother's and Emilia turns again and again to the Manual for guidance.

When Emilia meets the wealthy, brooding Franco Villani, her life takes a thrilling, but dangerous turn. Franco will do anything to win a place in the court of the powerful Cosimo de' Medici. Well aware that Cosimo prizes ancient manuscripts above all, Franco realizes Emilia's Manual would be invaluable to him in more ways than one.

Infused with the mysticism of alchemy, Nonna's Book of Mysteries is an exciting portrait of a young woman who defies convention to seek her destiny.

"I loved Nonna's Book of Mysteries! It's a wonder of a book-exciting, mysterious, and wise. I'll long remember the courageous and determined Emilia who learns about choices and the consequences of choices, about the importance of struggle and perseverance, about loyalty, friendship, and love, amid the splendors of Renaissance Florence. I can't wait for another from Mary Osborne."

-- Karen Cushman, Newberry Award Winner, author of The Midwife's Apprentice.

Mary Osborne is a writer and registered nurse living in Chicago. An honors graduate of Rush University and Knox College, where she was mentored in the Creative Writing Program, Osborne has degrees in chemistry and nursing.

Rachael McHan is a visual artist. A graduate of North Park College, she has degrees in painting and printmaking. Her work is frequently exhibited in Chicago, where she currently resides.