The publisher, Scholastic Press, has a charming webpage for Chasing Vermeer with little interactive areas where you can play puzzle challenges with the 12 pieces. We're just happy to see the concept of pentominoes given such an affectionate and respectful reception in the popular media. It needs to be said that Kadon and its products have no connection whatsoever with the books and their publisher, nor to Warner Bros. will find to play them in the planned motion picture. This unlikely pair of shy heroes are thoroughly endearing, and I wonder which child actors Warner Bros. Petra is a multi-cultural girl with a quick and logical mind, with occasional flashes of almost scary insight. Calder's prize possession is a set of pentominoes that he keeps in his pocket and which provide clues. The story itself concerns an art theft, a priceless painting by Vermeer, and how two sixth-graders, Calder and Petra, team up to solve the mystery against all odds. Many times I found myself rereading a passage, savoring the language, the turn of phrase, the exact right choice of words.

The descriptions, the dialogues, the thoughts and observations of the characters are done with an admirable sparseness of words, a flawless sense of atmosphere. The biggest surprise in reading this book is discovering how really well this lady writes. It conceals a message the reader can try to solve, buried in the wonderful illustrations by Brett Helquist. The book hides a secondary puzzle within itself, beyond the unfolding events of the story. Many a reader will be inspired to read up on Vermeer and to ponder the connection between art and truth, between science and the surreal. are all instilled with a light touch and an understanding heart. Blue Balliett was a teacher herself, and in one sense this book is an anthem to great teaching. It could hold its own against the masters of intrigue such as Doyle and Christie.Īnd woven throughout are subtle, almost incidental remarks that carry profound ideas of how people should regard each other, and how schools and teachers should nurture children's minds. Its plot structure is superbly crafted to integrate the diverse elements and characters, like a puzzle with many pieces to be fitted together. Clarke introduced pentominoes to the world through his science fiction novel, Imperial Earth, have these 12 entrancing shapes featured in fictional literature, though they've had plenty of coverage in recreational mathematics writings.Ĭhasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett is allegedly a children's mystery novel, but I think it will intrigue all readers.

I was amazed and delighted to hear of this book, which features our favorite plaything, pentominoes, as a major part of the plot line. Published by Scholastic Press, New York, 2004 Kadon Enterprises, Inc., Review of 'Chasing Vermeer,' by Blue Balliett

Finding vermeer book