Mona's Eyes

At ten years old, Mona is running out of time. Diagnosed with a mysterious condition that may soon leave her blind, she and her grandfather, Henry, make a quiet pact: for the next fifty-two Wednesdays, they will visit fifty-two works of art—one each week—to preserve in memory all the beauty the world has to offer before the lights go out for good.

Though doctors remain uncertain about the cause or course of Mona’s fleeting blindness, the fear of permanent vision loss is real. Determined to prepare her not with fear, but with wonder, Henry takes Mona on a year-long journey through the great museums of Paris. From the Renaissance to contemporary art, Botticelli to Basquiat, each masterpiece becomes a portal—not just into history and aesthetics, but into the heart of what it means to be human.

As Mona learns to see beyond the surface of a painting, she also learns to see her own life more deeply. Through her grandfather’s loving guidance, she discovers how art can teach us about love, grief, generosity, rebellion, and the quiet power of resilience. What begins as a farewell tour becomes a transformative rite of passage—for both Mona and the reader.

Discover all 52 masterpieces inside the fold-out dustjacket.