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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I enjoy reading mysteries so this book really interested me. The first thing that came to my mind when I started reading was that it reminded me of my Nancy Drew and Agatha Cristie novels that I used to obsess over. I used to pretend that I was the detective and solved my own mysteries. This is very similar to how the two main characters Calder Pillay and Petra Andalee take on the mystery of the stolen Vermeer painting from the Art Institute of Chicago. The chapters follow their adventures in solving this mystery. The author along with Brett Helquist the illustrator use codes and puzzles to give the reader and characters clues about the theft. Balliett's art mystery is certainly a page-turner and I think it will appeal to students who enjoy problem-solving.
As a teacher, I could do many activities with this novel. It would be a good resource to use in order to talk about problem-solving in real-world situations and having them research in order to find information about solving the problem. It would be a fun activity to create a mystery and have the students try and solve it using clues and puzzles given to them by the teacher.
As a teacher, I could do many activities with this novel. It would be a good resource to use in order to talk about problem-solving in real-world situations and having them research in order to find information about solving the problem. It would be a fun activity to create a mystery and have the students try and solve it using clues and puzzles given to them by the teacher.
lighthearted
mysterious
A fun light read, would've blown my mind and become formative if I had read it as a preteen but I don't have time for the secret codes now 😂 overall a rare find in children's lit that actually challenges one's thinking
slow-paced
I wouldn't recommend the audiobook, since I got the impression there were a lot of visual elements I was missing out on. But it was a cute mystery for kids.
I read this years ago and remembered enjoying it. Still hold up even as an adult
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I remember really enjoying this book when it came out, but rereading it as an adult doesn’t have the same appeal. It’s very corny. Twelve year olds are written with the personalities of retirees. However, I still think it would be good for 3rd or 4th graders. I’m not sure I have the interest to keep going in the series, but this was a quick read.
I love Vermeer. Therefore, it didn't take much prodding to get me to pick up this book at a local book sale. It's a fun read for anyone maybe age 10 and up (depends on reading level) and I learned a lot - about Vermeer, about pentominoes, and even about the University of Chicago! The clues embedded in the illustrations were an added bit of fun.
As a teenager I had a fair share of books of "teenager detective stories", and I love them. Reading this one (quite a time after I've no teenager no more) brought me back to those books and it was an interesting read. Good to be reminded how does it feel when there are much fewer limits of your curiosity, when you want to discover more, things should really be done "right" instead of the way they "supposed to".
This would be a great book for any teenagers to get into, and that was the aim of the writer, no doubt. Too bad that it is the exact reason why the book feels a bit forced, feels exactly as it is: "a book written by a grown up talking to a kid". I really would like to hear the feedback of some of the "target audience" what was on the mark and what felt maybe out of touch with how do they really think?
This would be a great book for any teenagers to get into, and that was the aim of the writer, no doubt. Too bad that it is the exact reason why the book feels a bit forced, feels exactly as it is: "a book written by a grown up talking to a kid". I really would like to hear the feedback of some of the "target audience" what was on the mark and what felt maybe out of touch with how do they really think?
The first book in a series (I started with the second book), is an interesting mystery. Taking place in Hyde Park Chicago with a side trip to the Art Institute, for me feels like going back home. A fun code to try and solve, repeating patterns, and famous art all factor into this fun adventure!
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
The characters are good the mystery solving and culprit catching… not so much. There was a lot of potential but it wasn’t well executed, the last 1-2 chapters are explanations.