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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
A good book for younger readers. It has some puzzles that need ferreting out, and a plucky, precocious pair of sleuths. It is briskly-paced, and a good, quick read.
The story doesn't make a lot of sense when you think about the teacher and other adults confiding in these kids, but if I were in 5th grade reading this, I'd want to be those kids.
The story doesn't make a lot of sense when you think about the teacher and other adults confiding in these kids, but if I were in 5th grade reading this, I'd want to be those kids.
Great young adult mystery. Can't wait to read it to my class.
this has been referred to as "the davinci code for tweens." i can't tell if they meant to bring the bad with the good with that review, but it seems awfully accurate. it's not very well-written but it's fun and easy to read and exciting.
Looking for a good book for younger children with high reading levels? This might be a winner! No zombies, death, vampires or blood! Follow Petra and Calder as they try and unravel mysterious clues about a book, a letter and the lady in Vermeer's painting, "A Lady Writing". Fun and full of interesting twists-and-turns, this book keeps kids guessing (and reading!) to discover the ending. A definite read for the art lovers, too!
A quick book for middle-grade kids, based around two sixth-graders who find themselves in the middle of a puzzle.
The book was extremely fast paced, much faster than it should have been for the mystery of it all. The characters were introduced so quickly that you really didn't get a whole lot of feel for Petra and Calder.
I'm going to let that go though, as I'm sure many sixth graders don't have the patience for 400-page novels. I loved to read at that age and I know personally that it was a lot easier for me to get through the 150-250 page books than to try to concentrate for 400-pages. So I believe it is a good size for the target audience.
The mystery itself was well thought out, the way everything connected at the end was interesting, but the thought processes that lead them to the clues was ridiculous at times. Calder coming up with a whole clue because he saw a single letter; mixing up words until they sound like a sentence they overheard someone say and thinking it is significant.
Although not the greatest book ever written, it did have a fun story and I feel like it would be inspiring for children around the sixth grade age to learn about art and puzzles.
The book was extremely fast paced, much faster than it should have been for the mystery of it all. The characters were introduced so quickly that you really didn't get a whole lot of feel for Petra and Calder.
I'm going to let that go though, as I'm sure many sixth graders don't have the patience for 400-page novels. I loved to read at that age and I know personally that it was a lot easier for me to get through the 150-250 page books than to try to concentrate for 400-pages. So I believe it is a good size for the target audience.
The mystery itself was well thought out, the way everything connected at the end was interesting, but the thought processes that lead them to the clues was ridiculous at times. Calder coming up with a whole clue because he saw a single letter; mixing up words until they sound like a sentence they overheard someone say and thinking it is significant.
Although not the greatest book ever written, it did have a fun story and I feel like it would be inspiring for children around the sixth grade age to learn about art and puzzles.
Cute mystery about a stolen Vermeer painting. What's nice about this book is the theme of understanding, interconnectedness, and coincidence that is prevalent throughout.
A most excellent and bizarre young adult book. I have the other two in the series and am anxious to get started. I utterly failed the picture clues though.
This did not take long to read. It's a well written mystery full of excitement and clues that could lead a reader to figure some things out on their own. The illustrations were fantastic and held some of their own clues, too. I think a lot of middle school kids would like this book. It has both a male and female slueth making it easy for boys and girls to relate. I love the tie to art history. Very fun book.
Found the beginning a bit slow but picked up part way through