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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This book was fine but a bit disappointing. I think as a book for getting kids interested in 17th century art that is likely to have appeal to all genders, it's pretty good. But as a mystery, there was unfortunately not a ton of deduction and a whole lot of magical realism that gave the kids the clues they needed. Despite the lengthy "wrap-up" section at the end, there's a lot that wasn't explained, from how the painting was stolen initially to why there was a parody version carefully wrapped in paper in a storage closet . I also side-eyed a little bit the teacher becoming friends with two of her 12-year-old students plus one old lady after failing to make friends her own age. I'd still be open to reading the second book in the series.
This novel had promise early on, but the story plodded on and did not hold my interest consistently. I read it with my 5th grader, and he was not a fan.
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
Interest level: 3-6
Reading level: 4-5, F&P level T
Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Middle Grade, Fiction, Mystery
Brief description: Calder and Petra are 6th graders who become friends while investigating the theft of a priceless painting by Johannes Vermeer. Lots of clues and puzzles to solve throughout the book and a quick-moving plot.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book: Realistic fiction (of which mystery is a sub-genre according to Huck) portrays life as it could conceivably occur. This book, while possible, is wholly unlikely given the degree to which it relies on coincidence and a psychic connection with a painting. Perhaps it belongs in a category of fantastic mysteries? Another characteristic is that mysteries are often written in series, which is true about this book---Chasing Vermeer is the first in a series of three books by Blue Balliett featuring Calder and Petra.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?: This book would be a good choice for a reader who liked From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or Under the Egg. The fast paced plot keeps you reading and the characters are very real. Personally I was disappointed with the way the mystery was solved---rather than knowledge or skills, it is intuition and random chance that lead Calder and Petra to the solution. It would be a fun read aloud followed by a class research project similar to what Ms. Hussey does with her class in the book.
Links to published reviews from professional sources: Book Links 07/01/04, Booklist starred 04/01/04, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred 07/01/04, Horn Book Magazine 07/01/04, Kirkus Reviews starred 05/15/04, New York Times 06/06/04, Publishers Weekly starred 06/14/04, School Library Journal 07/01/04, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) 12/01/04, Wilson's Children 10/01/10, Wilson's Junior High School 01/09/10. Full text reviews available through Titlewave.
Interest level: 3-6
Reading level: 4-5, F&P level T
Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Middle Grade, Fiction, Mystery
Brief description: Calder and Petra are 6th graders who become friends while investigating the theft of a priceless painting by Johannes Vermeer. Lots of clues and puzzles to solve throughout the book and a quick-moving plot.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book: Realistic fiction (of which mystery is a sub-genre according to Huck) portrays life as it could conceivably occur. This book, while possible, is wholly unlikely given the degree to which it relies on coincidence and a psychic connection with a painting. Perhaps it belongs in a category of fantastic mysteries? Another characteristic is that mysteries are often written in series, which is true about this book---Chasing Vermeer is the first in a series of three books by Blue Balliett featuring Calder and Petra.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?: This book would be a good choice for a reader who liked From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or Under the Egg. The fast paced plot keeps you reading and the characters are very real. Personally I was disappointed with the way the mystery was solved---rather than knowledge or skills, it is intuition and random chance that lead Calder and Petra to the solution. It would be a fun read aloud followed by a class research project similar to what Ms. Hussey does with her class in the book.
Links to published reviews from professional sources: Book Links 07/01/04, Booklist starred 04/01/04, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred 07/01/04, Horn Book Magazine 07/01/04, Kirkus Reviews starred 05/15/04, New York Times 06/06/04, Publishers Weekly starred 06/14/04, School Library Journal 07/01/04, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) 12/01/04, Wilson's Children 10/01/10, Wilson's Junior High School 01/09/10. Full text reviews available through Titlewave.
I think I read this on a plane. I had good feelings about it at the time, though I don't remember it at all now.
I thought this was a fun light mystery for kids. Not perfect by any means, but a good adventure story. Loved the focus on art and Chicago especially.
(3.5 stars) I bought this book as a kid because it seemed smart and eccentric, and remember enjoying it but finding it unsatisfying. There’s something very reassuring about rereading it as an adult and coming to the same conclusion. Aesthetically, this book is so fun - mysterious old buildings, secrets, and a university - but it isn’t actually satisfying as a mystery. The over reliance on coincidences and the supernatural bothered me as a kid, and it bothered me now. Disappointing.
Read for Popsugar: A mystery or thriller
I think I would have eaten this up as a kid - it's giving Westing Game, it's giving Eleventh Hour - and I would have poured over the illustrations trying to figure out the secrets. As a grown-up, I still enjoyed it, but was less impressed that a lot of the mystery solving relied on coincidences, dreams, and intuition rather than true problem-solving.
I think I would have eaten this up as a kid - it's giving Westing Game, it's giving Eleventh Hour - and I would have poured over the illustrations trying to figure out the secrets. As a grown-up, I still enjoyed it, but was less impressed that a lot of the mystery solving relied on coincidences, dreams, and intuition rather than true problem-solving.
Just couldn’t get into it. I’d listen to entire chapters and read along, and still have no idea what was happening
I liked these rascally kids...taking on a mystery, treating outcasts with some kindness and finding out a little about art in the meantime. Nice read, good for a kid who is a voracious reader, and who likes a series.
This book has a great premise - someone has stolen a Vermeer painting and two fifth graders find themselves in the unlikely position of being the only people able to recognize some clues and coincidences to solve the mystery. It takes place in Hyde Park, Chicago, which was also fun. But ultimately, it was a 2.5 star book for me (rounded up to 3 stars because I didn't try to solve the pentominoes puzzles or look for the clues in the pictures and that was pretty cool). Like Cat, I really wanted to like this more! Oh well.