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priyastoric's review against another edition
4.0
Great Read! I read this because it is used as an educational tool at Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House. I saw the author and the educator at a panel during the National Preservation Conference this year. The book is great because it provides options for educators to teach about architecture, math, art, and history all at the same time--while packaged in the form of a great mystery book.
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
5.0
Ooooh, I love this one! Just as good as the first one!
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
3.0
Complex mystery. Has lots to say about art. However there are long passages of facts that weigh it down and the kids get themselves into some impossible situations.
storycraft's review against another edition
4.0
Probably enjoyed this book because I'm living on the same block as the Robie House that figures prominently in the story. Neat to read as a new Hyde Park resident
wrdtrvlr's review against another edition
3.0
The author uses standard middle school character development, drops a lot of names and ideas and tries too hard to keep us interested.
shelbyl's review against another edition
4.0
Another great book in the series. I love that this is based on real people, with real significance in the art world, with real buildings. Excellent story with real information for my kids to learn. Great audiobook, enjoyable for me as an adult to listen to with my kids. I didn’t like some of actions of the kids (not a great example for my kids to hear), but not too bad I guess.
mkbaker526's review against another edition
4.0
Not as interesting, but very good. I like these books because I live in chicago and i was the same age as Tommy Petra and Calder when I read it!
erine's review against another edition
4.0
This builds on the story of Chasing Vermeer. Now Petra and Calder are joined by a new detective, Tommy. I was drawn into this story because the mystery revolves around one of Frank Lloyd Wright's houses, and talks about issues of preservation and what is worth preserving. Balliett also did a nice job with the group dynamics of the three kids. Petra and Tommy are each jealous of what the other has with Calder, and as the story moves along their relationship is continually changing. Hard choices are also addressed, for example, what do you do when you find something valuable that doesn't belong to you? The illustrations were fun and overall it was an enjoyable little mystery, and the ending was reasonably unpredictable.
Any reader who enjoyed Chasing Vermeer should enjoy this as well. Mystery-lovers or art-lovers should get into this. Readers who like when the kids take charge and solve the mystery should find this pretty satsifying. This seems a gender-neutral book.
Any reader who enjoyed Chasing Vermeer should enjoy this as well. Mystery-lovers or art-lovers should get into this. Readers who like when the kids take charge and solve the mystery should find this pretty satsifying. This seems a gender-neutral book.
_lisa_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5