Reviews

Codul Wright by Blue Balliett

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_lisa_'s review against another edition

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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

e_tully4's review against another edition

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4.0

This book is a good mystery for middle grade readers, and a plus for this Chicago teacher is that it is set in Chicago! I think it would be even more powerful if the students lived in Hyde Park, but this would be a great book to pair with learning about Frank Lloyd Wright. This book did take a little bit to get into, so it’s a slow burn mystery, but it’s also about friendship. Also a great way to introduce students/young readers to magical realism. Don’t mind having it in my classroom library, I don’t think.

kkaste's review against another edition

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4.0

The second book in the "Chasing Vermeer" series sees all three characters trying to find a friendship balance. Tommy has returned from moving to New York with his mother, in a bit of a mess. His mother's latest man, turned out to be a criminal and had a heart attack before he was arrested. Tommy wants to be friends with Calder with no changes. Calder and Petra want to keep investigating. It is hard for new and old friends to mix. Once all the characters start working together they are able to start piecing together the latest mystery. The Wright house has something strange going on... and our three adventurers are finding out what Frank Lloyd Wright hid in the house. This is a nice addition. I like the math weaved into the story. Finding all the hidden fishes was also very adventurous. It is a neat series I am glad I am finally reading.

jo2's review against another edition

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4.0

When I saw "middle-grade novel" on one of the reading challenges I'm doing this year, this book immediately came to mind. I had seen it many years ago at the Robie House gift shop, but felt like I'm too old to read it. This was a cute mystery that's great for Chicagoans and architecture nerds (both of which I am). I'd highly recommend this series to any of my friends with kids.