Chasing Vermeer - Chasing Vermeer, Bk 1 Author:Blue Balliett, Brett Helquist (Illustrator) This bewitching first novel is a puzzle, wrapped in a mystery, disguised as an adventure, and delivered as a work of art. — When a book of unexplainable occurences brings Petra and Calder together, strange things start to happen: Seemingly unrelated events connect; an eccentric old woman seeks their company; an invaluable Vermeer painting disappe... more »ars. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal, where no one is spared from suspicion. As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth, they must draw on their powers of intuition, their problem solving skills, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has stumped even the FBI?« less
This book is like a Da Vinchi Code for kids! Kids I know really enjoyed solving the mathmatical and artistic mysteries. There is also a sequel to this.
I think the fact that I had never heard of CHASING VERMEER before I picked up a copy at the bookstore helped in my enjoyment of it. After I finished reading the book, I read with interest other reviews, which is usually my habit after I've written my own review. I like to see what other readers thought of a story, or how similar--or, in some cases, dissimilar--my own thoughts and feelings are from other readers. I was surprised to see that many had touted CHASING VERMEER as a THE DA VINCI CODE for the younger set. I was surprised by the supposed hype that the book had generated. I was surprised, in fact, by the way I was caught up in the story myself. Although I can't comment on it's similarity to THE DA VINCI CODE (I'm one of probably only a handful of humans on the planet who hasn't read it!), I can say that CHASING VERMEER is a mixture of mystery, art, precociousness, and ingenuity that made it a joy to read.
Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay live down the street from each other in Hyde Park, share the same birthday, and have as the same sixth-grade teacher, the wonderful Ms. Hussey, at University School. It's rare to find a teacher who allows her students to have a say in what material they will cover, and both Petra and Calder are aware of this. When Ms. Hussey asks the students to discuss with an adult a letter that changed their life, most students are baffled. When the assignment fails, Ms. Hussey instead takes them on a field trip to the Art Institute--where the worlds of Petra, Calder, Ms. Hussey, and Vermeer collide.
Who was Vermeer? An artist, it turns out, who has several paintings attributed to him that some members of the general public don't agree were done by the painter himself. Suddenly, Petra and Calder's world is filled with a strange book entitled "Lo!", a painting known as "A Lady Writing," an old lady named Mrs. Sharpe, a man who owns a bookstore, a set of twelve pentominoes, a bunch of frogs, and a few bags of blue M&M's.
CHASING VERMEER is, quite simply, an art mystery in the style of Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys, but more interesting and complex. This is a delightful read, and I can't wait to read THE WRIGHT 3, the next story in the adventures of Petra and Calder.
Good book for older elementary/middle school readers, but adults will like this one too.
When a Vermeer painting goes missing, two students set out to find who took it. Does it have something to do with three mysterious letters that were delivered to their neighborhood? And how is their teacher involved?
Very reminiscent of "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler". Solid mystery with lots of background on Vermeer and his art.
This puzzle filled action packed book will keep you or your teen/child busy for hours, it's just the kind of book you don't want to put down! I randomly found this book at walmart and was instantly drawn to it because of the illustrator, Brett Helquist (also the illustrator for Series of Unfortunate Events).
The story is great, the puzzles are captivating and time consuming (great for busy mother with children!), and the illustrations are fun, and creative.
