Module 9 Book - Mystery / Middle School - Chasing Vermeer

Chasing Vermeer

written by Blue Balliett

illustrated by Brett Helquist



Bibliography

Balliett, B., & Helquist, B. (2004). Chasing Vermeer. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN-10: 0-439-37294-1

Brief Summary

The storyline for Chasing Vermeer describes two 6^th graders Petra and Calder who attempt to solve a mystery involving a missing painting by Johannes Vermeer, the Dutch artist. The story takes place in a university setting in Chicago. Although Petra and Calder do not figure out who the thief is, they do deduce where the painting is stored, and therefore, cross paths with the thief.

My Impressions

I enjoyed Chasing Vermeer because I found the characters to be quite delightful. The two middle schoolers actually looked for patterns and utilized problem solving techniques to make inferences (OMGosh!--If only my 6^th grade science students would do the same!). I also liked the fact that Calder uses pentominoes, a twelve piece mathematical tool, to help solve the mystery (After science, my second love is math). I learned more about Vermeer and his artwork as well.

Reviews

“The Westing Game, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler--how exciting to find a book that conjures up these innovative, well-loved titles. That's exactly what Balliett does in her debut novel, which mixes mystery, puzzles, possibilities, and art. The story is set in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood at the University of Chicago's Lab School, where Balliett was a teacher. There, outsiders Petra and Calder become friends as they try to find out what happened to a missing Vermeer painting. That's really all the plot one needs to know. More important are Balliett's purpose in writing and the way she has structured her story. The former seems to be to get to children to think--about relationships, connections, coincidences, and the subtle language of artwork. To accomplish this, she peppers her story with seemingly random events that eventually come together in a startling, delightful pattern. The novel isn't perfect. It glides over a few nitty-gritty details (how did the thief nab the picture), and occasionally the coincidences seem more silly than serendipitous. However, these are quibbles for a book that offers children something new upon each reading. Adults who understand the links between children's reading and their developing minds and imaginations will see this as special, too. Helquist, who has illustrated the Lemony Snickett books, outdoes himself here, providing an interactive mystery in his pictures… Gr. 5-8.”

-- Booklist (April 1, 2004)
Ilene Cooper Copyright 2004 Booklist

“Puzzles nest within puzzles in this ingeniously plotted and lightly delivered first novel that, revolving around the heist of a Vermeer painting, also touches on the nature of coincidence, truth, art and similarly meaty topics. Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay become friends in sixth grade at a school operated by the University of Chicago (Balliett taught at the University's Lab Schools), both of them independent thinkers excited by their maverick teacher, Ms. Hussey…Readers have the edge on the characters, being privy to an enigmatic letter sent to three unidentified persons outlining a centuries-old "crime" against a painter's artistic legacy…The art mystery and the crisp intelligence of the prose immediately recall E.L. Konigsburg, but Balliett is an original: her protagonists also receive clues through dreams, pentominoes (math tools with alphabetic correspondences), secret codes (including some left to readers to decipher) and other deliberately non-rational devices. Helquist (the Lemony Snicket books) compounds the fun with drawings that incorporate the pentomino idea to supply visual clues as well. Thick with devilish red herrings, this smart, playful story never stops challenging (and exhilarating) the audience. Ages 8-12.”

-- Publisher’s Weekly (June 14, 2004)
Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information

“Fans of Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game (Dutton, 1978) and E. L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Turtleback, 1967) will welcome this novel about two classmates determined to solve the mystery of a missing painting…Balliett also provides lots of plot twists and red herrings along the way. Helquist's atmospheric black-and-white illustrations add to the fun, incorporating clues to a secret message, the answer to which can be found on the publisher's Web site. Puzzles, codes, letters, number and wordplay, a bit of danger, a vivid sense of place, and a wealth of quirky characters enrich the exciting, fast-paced story that's sure to be relished by mystery lovers…Gr 5-8”

-- School Library Journal (July 1, 2004)
Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport
NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information

Suggestions for Library Use

Although Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, and School Library Journal list this book as appropriate for grades 5-7/8, I don’t think 7^th/8^th graders at our school would read this book. According to Tunnell and Jacobs, “the rule of thumb” for deciding the age appropriateness for children’s realistic fiction books “is that children will read about characters who are slightly older than they are, but are hesitant about reading books with characters who are younger” (2008, p. 129). I think the same rule of thumb applies to mystery novels for this age group. I would suggest this title for kiddos in grades 4-6 in our school district. I’m certain, however, that fellow librarians and LA teachers will like Chasing Vermeer as well!