- Book Summary: Petra and Calder, the main characters in this title, begin the story as strangers but soon become friends drawn together by the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a famous work of art. As the duo manuever through a series of discovering clues and solving puzzles, and as they get closer to solving the mystery, their lives become more in danger. Their courage and strong desire to solve the crime keeps them focused and along the way, the two must decide which clues are relevant and which events are just mere coincidences. The suspense builds all the way to the surprise ending that will leave readers pondering whether coincidences mean anything and wanting to study the art of Vermeer more closely.
- APA Reference of Book: Balliett, B. (2004). Chasing vermeer. New York, NY:
Scholastic Press.
- Impressions: This story is definitely a good choice for bright
children that have higher level thinking skills. With the inclusion of the code hidden in the pages of the book, the reader is encouraged to solve the code alongside the main characters solving the mystery of the crime. While this title encourages reasoning and problem solving, two characteristics of a good mystery, it also has many characteristics of an adventure story. The characters are multidimensional and lifelike. Calder is an only child that wishes his parents gave him more freedom. Petra is shy, and like Calder, is intelligent and pays attention to detail. The plot is fast-moving and with two protagonists, one being male and one female, boys and girls alike can appreciate and enjoy this story.
- Professional Review: Art, intrigue, and plenty of twists and
turns make this art mystery a great read. Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay
set out to find the connection between their teacher (a freewheeling
constructivist teacher), the eccentric woman in their neighborhood, the
bookstore owner, and an international art thief. Balliett intersperses
fascinating information about Johannes Vermeer and his paintings
throughout the two friends’ quest to solve the mystery—a mystery layered
with pentominoes (a mathematical tool consisting of 12 pieces), puzzling
clues, and suspicious strangers. Helquist’s detailed black-and-white
chapter illustrations hold hidden messages, clues related to the
pentominoes, and more puzzles. Fans of E.L. Konigsburg’s From the
Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or Ellen Raskin’s The
Westing Game will find equal pleasure in this debut by a talented
writer. (Fiction. 11-14)
(2004). [Review of the book
Chasing vermeer, by B. Balliett].
Kirkus review. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/blue-balliett/chasing-vermeer/.
- Library Use: Have students get into groups and solve pentomino
puzzles together. Using a labeling scheme, have students create their own
for other groups to solve.
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