Chasing Vermeer: written by Blue Balliett, illustrated by Brett Helquist. Published 2004.
Chasing Vermeer is a story set in Hyde Park in Chicago about two almost-twelve year old kids, Petra and Calder, who bond while tracking down the theft of Vermeer's A Lady Writing painting. Between strange coincidences and clues sent to them through a mysterious book and Calder's pentominoes, the students use their ingenuity and intuition to solve a world-mesmerizing crime.
I liked that this book focused on the idea of puzzles, codes and clues and how sometimes these things aren't logical or make sense in the way we usually understand things. The idea of connected coincidences might be too advanced for the reading interest level but the mystery may intrigue students beyond the parts that might be too confusing for them.
I thought this would be a fun book to explore puzzles and codes and as an art connection. Plus, there's a plug for Progressive Education and inquiry-based learning through the character of the teacher Ms. Hussey. I also enjoyed that the two main characters didn't fit the norm of a white narrator. Both have mixed ethnicity, Petra identifies as Middle Eastern and Calder is Indian, but I like that the author points out that their parents are from different places and are different combinations, not really fitting into one defined standard.
Interest level: Grades 5-8 Intended reading level: Grade 5
Genre: mystery, fiction
First book of a series
Comparable titles: The Westing Game, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Book connections: Blue M&Ms, pentominoes, the color yellow, 12s of things, Vermeer reproductions
