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Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
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Chasing Vermeer (original 2004; edition 2005)

by Blue Balliett (Author), Brett Helquist (Illustrator)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
5,0261552,163 (3.66)136
Calder Pillay enjoys puzzles and is fascinated with pentominoes. Petra Andalee aspires to be a writer. They are classmates in Ms. Hussy's 6th grade class. They are not really friends, but become good friends through this adventure.

Ms. Hussy is very interested in art and uses a creative way to teach the class. She uses Vermeer's "A Lady Writing" and "The Geographer" in presenting questions about whether letter writing is important and ideas in art as "a lie that tells the truth."

When Vermeer's "A Lady Writing" disappears in transit from Washington D.C. to Hyde Park, Calder and Petra decide to try and find it. Looking for hidden places in old buildings. Using an old book as a source of idea and thinking. Secret codes, pentominoes and other puzzles aren't just part of the story, they are also to be found by the reader in the illustrations in the book.

I'd say this is a book you'd want to take your time with and keep aware of any possible clues that may come up. The illustrations have a lot to offer in telling the story and providing possible clues.

There is a section in the back with more information about the author, the puzzles, the illustrations, the actual art mentioned in the book. There is also a taste of the second book "The Wright 3" which I find I already have.

A good read! ( )
  ChazziFrazz | Nov 14, 2018 |
English (155)  Spanish (1)  All languages (156)
Showing 1-25 of 155 (next | show all)
Adventure
  BooksInMirror | Feb 19, 2024 |
This one wasn't for me. I loved the information about Vermeer, but I found it really unsatisfying that the kids used coincidences to solve the mystery.
  epear | Jan 22, 2024 |
The mystery started out with such promise. It was going to be a fun historical art history romp, like a kid's version of the DaVinci Code. But no. Instead it was a series of wild dreams and leaps and coincidences that led two 12 years old's to hunt for a stolen painting. I want a mystery to follow logic. LOGIC. Coincidences do not equal a valid mystery plot line. Boo. ( )
  mslibrarynerd | Jan 13, 2024 |
I want to add a tag that's for kids books that have both a male and female main character. But what to call it? Gender-neutral appeal? That sounds dumb.

Anyway, I really appreciate it when a book strikes me as being equally attractive to both girls and boys, and this is one of those books. Our two little heroes are ridiculously precocious eleven-year-olds who enjoy their teacher's constructivist approach to learning and communicate psychically with art and pentominoes. They set out to solve an international art mystery and guess what? They do!

I wasn't terribly impressed with the way the mystery was wrapped up in a hurry (and didn't even explain just HOW the painting was stolen in the first place), but I really enjoyed the first 90% of the book. Very well done for the most part. (But the "code" in the illustrations is LAME-O (not the figuring-it-out part, but the message it reveals)). ( )
  LibrarianDest | Jan 3, 2024 |
When a book of unexplainable occurrences brings Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay together, strange things start to happen: seemingly unrelated events connect, an eccentric old woman seeks their company, and an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal.

As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth they must draw on their powers of intuition, their skills at problem solving, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has left even the FBI baffled?
  PlumfieldCH | Sep 22, 2023 |
this is tough to rate. the second half of the novel lost momentum because the answers didn't live up to the thrill of the first half's questions. four stars for the lively early chapters. ( )
  alison-rose | May 22, 2023 |
Petra and Calder do not know one another, despite the fact that they attend the same school. After a series of peculiar events bring them together, they will have to use all their problem-solving skills to crack the case of the stolen Vermeer painting. ( )
  dsp024 | May 2, 2023 |
Solve a mystery of a missing painting by completing puzzles and using your problem solving skills with Calder and Petra. There's some character development, references of real artists, and visuals. This is definitely for older kids, maybe 6th grade and up or if your child has trouble with problem solving. If you're a parent, I recommend using this book during summer break to develop their problem solving and observing skills. ( )
  Mel-Morris | Apr 29, 2023 |
Comments by my 11yr old sons-
"Chasing Vermeer kept me thinking about the story even when I wasn't reading. I now see more in what looks like coincidence. Since I like puzzles and numbers this book was a good one to keep me interested. My favorite part was discovering pentominoes." (4 stars) Isaiah
"At first it seemed slow getting to know the characters and setting, but by the time Petra had her first dream I was hooked. I am an artist and thought the clues in the illustrations were really cool. The author did a good describing things that I could see in my head and imagine happening to me." (4 stars) Isaac ( )
  siouxzyn | Dec 8, 2022 |
Recommended by a teacher friend, I thought this book was okay. It is a mystery that gets a bit confusing and makes some great leaps to find a conclusion. I am still not 100% sure who the bad guy was but felt enough closure to let it go. One really annoying part was a friend and the male lead converse in written code. I did not take the time to figure out the code; perhaps a mistake on my part, but just reading for pleasure here... I did however, take the time to google Vermeer and lo and behold, real artist! So that was fun. Pictures are in back of book...didn't realize that either until the end. Might give second book a chance. Might not. Now, how to avoid telling my friend, that eh...wasn't my fav. I am sure she will be fine with it! ( )
  BarbF410 | May 22, 2022 |
I like the encouragement children get from this book to do their own research. I will be teaching this book in a small book group of 5th and 6th graders at the school where I work as a librarian. The kids can have fun with it. The book encourages further research and experiments, just like the kids in the story. Making your own pentominoes, deciphering codes, finding reproductions of the paintings mentioned in the story, finding out more about Vermeer, a trip to a local art museum, etc. are all possible.
The book also advocates Progressive Education and its ability to engage children in their own creative research.

The book does have weaknesses. The characters are not well fleshed out and the resolution of the conflict seems rushed. I think that the author was focussing on putting her readers to work instead of working out a credible plot and ending. I still have to read the sequels. Maybe she does better in those. ( )
  Marietje.Halbertsma | Jan 9, 2022 |
RGG: Despite receiving lots of good press, a fairly boring mystery. Targeted to younger readers and good for puzzle solvers.
  rgruberexcel | Apr 19, 2021 |
Interesting tale based on art history, codes and thinking in unusual ways. I gave it to my 10 year old neice who I think will like it better than I did. ( )
  Angel.Tatum.Craddock | Dec 17, 2020 |
00008208
  lcslibrarian | Aug 13, 2020 |
Can you imagine working on a mystery that even the FBI can’t solve? In Chasing Vermeer, Petra Andalee finds a book about odd occurrences that completely captures her interest and makes her start thinking. This book connects her to classmate and neighbor, Calder Pillay. Soon after their friendship begins strange things start to happen and they find connections between events that don’t seem related at first. It isn’t long before a Vermeer painting goes missing and Petra and Calder find themselves in the middle of an art scandal. As the mystery unfolds they must use their problem solving skills, research techniques, and their own unique strategies, like pentominoes, to try to find out “who done it”. Will Petra and Calder be able to find out who the art thief is? Will they be able to get out of a dangerous situation alive? Read this unique mystery to find out about friendship, art, and the power of knowledge.

I loved the style that Blue Balliett used to write Chasing Vermeer. Petra and Calder have such distinct personalities and I could relate to both of them in different ways. Before reading this book I had never heard of pentominoes, but after seeing the way Calder uses them to solve riddles I definitely want to get a set! I enjoyed the way Petra and Calder worked on the mystery because they had such a unique way of looking at the clues. I recommend this book to anyone from third grade through 7th grade. I also think that adults and older kids will be captivated by this fast paced story. ( )
  Robinsonstef | Jul 10, 2019 |
Calder Pillay enjoys puzzles and is fascinated with pentominoes. Petra Andalee aspires to be a writer. They are classmates in Ms. Hussy's 6th grade class. They are not really friends, but become good friends through this adventure.

Ms. Hussy is very interested in art and uses a creative way to teach the class. She uses Vermeer's "A Lady Writing" and "The Geographer" in presenting questions about whether letter writing is important and ideas in art as "a lie that tells the truth."

When Vermeer's "A Lady Writing" disappears in transit from Washington D.C. to Hyde Park, Calder and Petra decide to try and find it. Looking for hidden places in old buildings. Using an old book as a source of idea and thinking. Secret codes, pentominoes and other puzzles aren't just part of the story, they are also to be found by the reader in the illustrations in the book.

I'd say this is a book you'd want to take your time with and keep aware of any possible clues that may come up. The illustrations have a lot to offer in telling the story and providing possible clues.

There is a section in the back with more information about the author, the puzzles, the illustrations, the actual art mentioned in the book. There is also a taste of the second book "The Wright 3" which I find I already have.

A good read! ( )
  ChazziFrazz | Nov 14, 2018 |
Looking for a good book for younger children with high reading levels? This might be a winner! No zombies, death, vampires or blood! Follow Petra and Calder as they try and unravel mysterious clues about a book, a letter and the lady in Vermeer's painting, "A Lady Writing". Fun and full of interesting twists-and-turns, this book keeps kids guessing (and reading!) to discover the ending. A definite read for the art lovers, too! ( )
  aarchamb | Mar 22, 2018 |
Chasing Vermeer is a middle-grade novel centering around two slightly odd eleven-year-olds, whose intellectual curiosity brings them together to solve a mystery.

What I liked: It’s a mystery! I love mysteries, especially when they’re about kids out-smarting adults. The book incorporates art into the story, educating the reader on some pretty interesting art history. The cover and the interior drawings are wonderful.

What I didn’t like: Although it is a mystery, the two kids don’t really use problem-solving or reasoning to solve it. There are way too many coincidences throughout the book, and the finale is pretty disappointing and flat. The two main characters are likable, but it would’ve been more interesting if they had used their intellect to solve the mystery rather than rely on dreams and coincidences. I would’ve liked to have seen them discover clues and then put together the pieces to discover the bad guy and find the painting.

All-in-all, it was well-written and beautifully illustrated, but a bit disappointing throughout.

3 out of 5 stars ( )
  AlbaArango | Nov 30, 2017 |
Chasing Vermeer

This book is about two kids in middle school that have a lot in common. A boy named Calder, and a girl named Petra. The both of them were like detectives working together to solve something.

In this story, the two of them are looking for a stolen painting made by Johannes Vermeer. In this story, it takes forever to get the painting back.
  Samwri621 | Oct 23, 2017 |
This book could be an independent read by a 5th-grade class to introduce geometry. The use of the pentominoes throughout the book inspires the use of these tools to teach shapes. Students would be given a set of the pentominoes and asked to make a rectangle with 2, then 3, then 4 and so on. It would get their creative thinking going and introduce these geometric shapes. This book could be used in many other ways as well, this is one of many. Fifth-grade seems old enough to understand the book and this concept of pentominoes. ( )
  TimGordon | Feb 11, 2017 |
I found this book on a shelf in the waiting area of the The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg, Virginia, while I was waiting for my parents to finish their tour of the museum. It was a quick read--I got about 3/4ths of the way through the book while I waited--but I can't say that I would have ever read it on my own time. It was interesting and I would certainly recommend it to kids who like art or mysteries. ( )
  emilyesears | Aug 29, 2016 |
Help! I don't read mysteries, and though I'm done, and though I read carefully, I guess I just don't have the skill set. I still have questions!

For example, there's supposed to be some sort of puzzle in the pictures. I spent way too much time examining those and got nothing good. The author's note says check the website to check your answer, but that page seems to be down. (Actually, I tried one more time, and got an answer that I'm satisfied with. Still not happy about how much work it was, though.)

Well, even if I did understand all the plot, I don't think I'd like the book. I like books I can immerse myself in - and every time I had to break out scratch-paper and solve the ciphers I was distracted enough to want to abandon the book. (But I didn't because I'm reading it with the Children's Books group here on GR.) It's not like the ciphers were even interesting - simple letter-substitution, with code provided.

And the characters didn't feel quite real for me - they seemed like carefully-drawn representations. I mean, why is it important to know their exact ethnic heritage, however interestingly mixed? It's not like it affects the story.

I also didn't like the implication that the paranormal is real. I mean, it's great to look for patterns, to see beyond the superficial, etc. But to imagine that your pentominoes are speaking to you - no. It was Calder's subconscious speaking to him - and that's actually much more interesting, in my opinion.

And what's up with Denise? She's a very superficial character. What would we find if we examined her with Vermeer's or Fort's questioning mind? The author doesn't give us a clue (unless I missed it?

Reading other reviews, it looks like I'm not alone in finding the mystery confusing, in part because of randomness and unbelievability of clues. Also, I've no interest in DaVinci Code.
( )
  Cheryl_in_CC_NV | Jun 6, 2016 |
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
Summary: This story is about some sixth grade students who dig deep to solve a mystery of an art thief. Throughout the story, Petra and Calder work continuously to solve the mystery of a Vermeer painting that was stolen out of an art institute. Petra has a significant clue to solving the mystery after one night, she has a dream that cracks open the case. After they learn of the criminal's purpose to truthful lies about Vermeer's life and art, their pair the knowledge together to become full-throttle detectives. Throughout the story, it doesn’t give all of the clues, and keep the reader glued until the last page.

Personal Reaction: This is a book that I spent a lot of time with as a young girl. They mystery seeking that draws you deep into the pages rekindled that same fire that I had for it as a young girl. I still to this day think back to this book when I see pieces of art. I think this is a terrific book for young students to read, especially as they are getting into reading larger books. This isn’t your average picture book, and I believe it is a great starter for young studnets.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. I believe after having the students read this story, a paper would be excellent to incorporate into an assignment.
2. Great activity for Language Arts and writing a descriptive essay. There are many clues throughout the story, and for beginning writers, being able to pair all of the details together would be great for a lesson.
  AlanaLedford | Mar 9, 2016 |
A unique classroom assignment, an unusual book and a stolen Vermeer painting bring Chicago classmates Petra and Calder together to solve the mystery of the lost Vermeer, using their skills of intuition, observation and puzzle-solving. The illustrations hide clues that spell out a message by way of frogs and pentomino shapes (although the shapes are not easy to locate). Reminiscent of "The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler." Gifted, thoughtful kids solve a complicated problem. Some of the events seemed to convenient or coincidental, such as the kids' visions and intuitions proving to be the right path to the answer.
  Salsabrarian | Feb 2, 2016 |
“Dear Friend: I would like your help in identifying a crime that is now centuries old.” This simple anonymous letter left on the doorsteps of three different residents of the same town kicks off a complex mystery involving the theft of a Vermeer painting. Classmates Petra and Calder come together and find themselves at the center of this international art scandal.

A series of coincidences, unanswered questions and secret codes are a central part of this story which is part mystery, part puzzle and part adventure. Petra and Calder must put all the pieces together without knowing who can help because everyone is under suspicion. And they are racing against the clock so they can find the thief before he goes through with his threat and destroys the valuable piece of art.

This is a fun, slowly-unfolding story with lots of twists and turns.
( )
  MrsBarbarino | Jan 24, 2016 |
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