Chasing Vermeer

Balliett, B. (2004). Chasing Vermeer. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Plot Description: Petra and Calder, two sixth-graders who barely knew each other, are thrown together in order to solve the crime of the century: a Johannes Vermeer painting, "A Lady Writing," has been stolen.


The book starts with a mysterious anonymous letter being given to three individuals, asking them to embark on a challenge in identifying a crime that is centuries old. It advises the recipient not to show the letter to anyone, especially the authorities, or their lives will be in danger.


A series of relationships, coincidences, puzzles, and connections happen throughout the book, such as Calder and Mrs. Sharpe owning the same painting and Petra dressing up as a character in the Vermeer paintings Calder recently looked at.


Both Calder and Petra each have unique skills that help them solve the international art crime. Calder uses his pentominoes (mathematical puzzle pieces) to help him develop his ability to see relationships between objects and words. Petra uses her visions to help her make sense of the information they have gathered. Throughout their investigations they come to suspect Ms. Hussey, Mrs. Sharpe, and even Petra’s father. As things begin to heat up, both Calder and Petra start becoming frustrated and scared. As all of their clues start making sense and coming together, they are led to a hall at school where they find The Lady Writing. They think that they have solved the crime but then are chased by the person behind the theft, and Calder ends up missing. Petra soon finds him, and the painting is recovered. All of the loose ends are tied up at the end of the book, and all the clues and connections are explained.


Genre: Mystery

Suggested age range: 9 to 14


Annotation: This book would be great for kids who love solving puzzles. Many reviews have labeled it The Da Vinci Code for kids.


Subject/themes: Mystery, Puzzles, Art, Investigation, Friendship.


Awards:

• New York Times Best Seller
• Book Sense Book of the Year
• Edgar Award Winner
• Booklist Top 10 Youth Mysteries
• Chicago Tribune Prize for Young Adult Fiction

Reviews:

• Booklist (starred review, April 1, 2004)
• School Library Journal (July 1, 2004)

Character list:

• Calder - A sixth-grader who is very into pentominoes and tries to find patterns in everything in his life; he carries his pentominoes around with him at all times, and they are a type of security for him.
• Petra - A sixth-grader who lives in a chaotic and messy house with four younger siblings; she longs for some type of organization and control, is very interested in art and writing, and wants to be a famous writer when she is older.
• Mrs. Sharpe - An older lady who lives on the same street as Petra and Calder, whose husband studied Vermeer's life and artwork before his mysterious murder many years ago; she was one of the people who received a mysterious letter, and she was also the original owner of the book Lo, which Petra comes to own after finding it at the local bookstore.
• Ms. Hussey - The sixth-grade teacher for Petra and Calder; she is eccentric and has a teaching style different than most that makes all of her students love her, and she was also a recipient of one of the mysterious letters.

Series information: Check out books two and three in the series, The Wright 3 and The Calder Game, both by Blue Balliett.


High-interest annotation: If you want a book wrought with mystery, adventure, and puzzles look no further. Chasing Vermeer will lead you into a world full of all three and get you thinking more deeply about the relationships between objects in the world.