Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Chasing Vermeer (2004) involves an art theft investigated by two 11-year-old students, Calder and Petra. There are clues and codes and correspondences and visits to the Art Institute in Chicago. 

A real book Lo! by Charles Fort published in 1931 also plays a part. This book, which comes into the possession of Calder and Petra, looks at mysterious happenings - such as frogs falling from the sky - and propels them into a new way of thinking about the mystery of the theft of Vermeer's A Lady Writing.

You will need your Secret Decoder Ring as a couple of the letters in the book are written in a language devised by Calder. (But don't worry, the key is supplied and I had fun deciphering the messages.)

I learned from Calder about pentominoes. The twelve pieces in a set are made up five squares that share at least one side and, based on their shape, are named after letters. Apparently, mathematicians use them to explore geometry and numbers. Calder, who carries a set in his pocket, uses them to help lead him to his next step in solving the crime.

There are wonderful illustrations by Brett Helquist which capture the characters and the action perfectly. They also provide clues to the puzzle although I am not sure if I 'got' them.

I appreciated the way information about Vermeer and his art was presented and, thanks to the Internet, I was able to view images of the paintings as I went along. 

The plot and the dénouement are all quite complicated - but in a good way - and even the author Blue Balliett writes about the story:

This book begins with separate pieces. Eventually they will all come together. Don't be fooled by ideas that seem, at first, to fit easily. Don't be fooled by ideas that don't seem to fit at all.

Chasing Vermeer is for you if you like art; a bit of mystery; smart, independent, amateur detectives; and, don't mind giving your brain a bit of a cosmic stretch.

In Which I Begin to Investigate a Missing Vermeer

Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window
Circa 1659
Could this be the missing Vermeer?

I refused to let my spirits be dampened by the somewhat disappointing read, The Westing Game (here). Therefore, I checked out another book that I thought sounded intriguing  and was mentioned in the recent article about great kid detectives - Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett.

Just a few chapters in and I am already smitten. The action takes place in Chicago. So far there are three mysterious letters; two young students - Petra who loves words and writing, and Calder who prefers patterns and numbers; their exciting and eccentric teacher Ms. Hussey; the puzzling pentominoes; a missing valuable painting; and, a bookstore.

There are also illustrations by Brett Helquist that contain hidden messages to help solve the mystery.

So, what's not to like?

Here is a brief description of the bookstore:

Powell's was one of Petra's favorite places; it was peaceful, and you never knew what you might find. It looked more like a warehouse than a store -- books were piled everywhere, and the rooms were jumbled together in a mismatched way. Although Petra had been inside many times, it always felt like a labyrinth. One dimly lit area led to the next, and suddenly you were back where you started without knowing how you got there. No one asked if you needed help. No one frowned if you read but didn't buy.

Sounds like my kind of place.