Scan barcode
breakfastgrey's review against another edition
3.0
Hrmph. What a letdown. It all begins so promising with lots of insinuations of cool mysteries hidden in the text and art. I had pages of notes comparing ideas from the series of broken frames in each picture to what pentimino letters were referenced in the dialogue. Then the end being such a cop out. The various mysteries ended up feeling artificial. And the ultimate reveal was an instance of they solved the mystery... OR DID THEY? (eye roll). Still, I had a lot of fun leading up to that point, so I'll play nice with the rating.
finalgirlfall's review against another edition
5.0
this book left a profound impact on me when i read it as a child... it felt slightly lacking in plot in this reread, but it was still good.
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
This book reminded me why I hate mystery books. The entire time I had to go through and translate codes and search every picture for hidden images.... it just really took the joy of reading out of it for me. I recognize it was a good book; it's just not for me.
story_singer_101's review against another edition
2.0
Rating 2.5 stars
In a lot of ways, Chasing Vermeer reminds me of Midnight at the Piazza by Tiffany Parks. (You can read my review of that book by clicking here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2435428891 ) A strange series of coincidences work together to help two kids solve a mystery that none of the adults are able to crack. The coincidences are just that, coincidences. The shape of a letter, the presence of a frog, and even the way certain sequences of words sound are all clues that work together to unlock the larger mystery. It's as if the universe itself wants the kids to solve the mystery, and, if the universe wants the kids to solve the mystery, that takes a lot of the suspense out of the plot. Throughout the story, I found myself scratching my head at some of the conclusions that the kids drew, wondering how in the world a frog napkin had anything to do with the location of the missing Vermeer painting. Eventually, I gave up wondering.
Somehow, even with the bizarre and random coincidences that formed the majority the plot, I found myself sucked into the first half of the story. The codes interspersed throughout the book were fun and engaging, and the characters were entertaining. Middle school and elementary-aged readers will likely eat up the story rather than getting frustrated and confused by the illogical coincidence-clues like I did.
In a lot of ways, Chasing Vermeer reminds me of Midnight at the Piazza by Tiffany Parks. (You can read my review of that book by clicking here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2435428891 ) A strange series of coincidences work together to help two kids solve a mystery that none of the adults are able to crack. The coincidences are just that, coincidences. The shape of a letter, the presence of a frog, and even the way certain sequences of words sound are all clues that work together to unlock the larger mystery. It's as if the universe itself wants the kids to solve the mystery, and, if the universe wants the kids to solve the mystery, that takes a lot of the suspense out of the plot. Throughout the story, I found myself scratching my head at some of the conclusions that the kids drew, wondering how in the world a frog napkin had anything to do with the location of the missing Vermeer painting. Eventually, I gave up wondering.
Somehow, even with the bizarre and random coincidences that formed the majority the plot, I found myself sucked into the first half of the story. The codes interspersed throughout the book were fun and engaging, and the characters were entertaining. Middle school and elementary-aged readers will likely eat up the story rather than getting frustrated and confused by the illogical coincidence-clues like I did.
books_inthewild's review against another edition
3.0
A decent mystery, but found the “who done it” at the end to be quite disappointing and rushed.
I think kids would enjoy the code deciphering and hidden images in the illustrations interesting, but overall it might have too many characters & complex “clues” for its intended audience to follow.
Interesting read for critical thinking/creative students who enjoy mysteries and art history.
I think kids would enjoy the code deciphering and hidden images in the illustrations interesting, but overall it might have too many characters & complex “clues” for its intended audience to follow.
Interesting read for critical thinking/creative students who enjoy mysteries and art history.
libwinnie's review against another edition
2.0
I was reading this book to see if it would work for a book club, but I found some of the references to the characters' racial backgrounds problematic. Being 15+ years old I can understand and appreciate that writers back then were not as attuned to diversity, but now knowing better, we can do better.
maggies's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's nice to revisit books from your childhood to find that they hold up. Petra and Calder are precocious sixth-graders, and my inner child identified with them so much. Growing up is a lot of trying to make sense of a confusing world, seeking explanations and noticing patterns. They just happen to notice patterns that relate to the theft of a famous work of art! I would definitely recommend this to kids ~8-14 years old today.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Blood, Domestic abuse, and Death
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
5.0
Blue Balliet's now Award winning (Edgar and Agatha Awards, as well as a Booklist editor's choice and top pick of the New York Times and Chicago Tribune, among others) and super popular novel (there's already a sequel and plans for a possible movie) is sort of an updated The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler set in Chicago, and is exactly the sort of thing I would have devoured as a 10-year-old (and did as a 24-year-old).
This time around our young detectives are sixth grade classmates Petra and Calder, who become friends as they untangle a series of coincidences surrounding the theft of a priceless Vermeer painting. Both kids are a little nerdy (Petra's a daydreamer who usually doesn't care how nutty she sounds, while Calder is obsessed with numbers, patterns, and pentominoes), but mostly they're just not shy about their curiosity, which is what makes them equal to the task of catching an international art thief.
This book is just so smart. I wish I could put my finger on more of the details that make it such a stimulating read. All I can say is that I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued throughout, and while I had suspicions in the general ballpark of the mystery's real solution, I was surprised by how those suspicions actually played out. Chasing Vermeer really kept me guessing until the end.
Oh, and all the details about Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, and the University of Chicago in particular, added a nice flavor to the tale, as well as all the information about Vermeer, pentominoes, and Charles Fort.
This time around our young detectives are sixth grade classmates Petra and Calder, who become friends as they untangle a series of coincidences surrounding the theft of a priceless Vermeer painting. Both kids are a little nerdy (Petra's a daydreamer who usually doesn't care how nutty she sounds, while Calder is obsessed with numbers, patterns, and pentominoes), but mostly they're just not shy about their curiosity, which is what makes them equal to the task of catching an international art thief.
This book is just so smart. I wish I could put my finger on more of the details that make it such a stimulating read. All I can say is that I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued throughout, and while I had suspicions in the general ballpark of the mystery's real solution, I was surprised by how those suspicions actually played out. Chasing Vermeer really kept me guessing until the end.
Oh, and all the details about Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, and the University of Chicago in particular, added a nice flavor to the tale, as well as all the information about Vermeer, pentominoes, and Charles Fort.
beccadavies's review against another edition
2.0
I've read lots of reviews on this book and I have to say that I'm very surprised at how positive the reception is. Don't get me wrong, the book was fine but not 5 star quality.
First off, every single little thing in the book was all connected. Everything from the names of characters, to thier age, where they lived, EVERYTHING was somehow mystically connected. Gimme a break. Seeing patterns where none exist?! Have they even seen A BEAUTIFUL MIND?! People go crazy looking for patterns in things that are not there- should we really be encouraging children to start looking at patterns in absolutly everything?!
Anyhow, I suppose if you put this aside, it was cute. I did stick it till the end to see how it all ended out. It was a bit of a cresendo and then a huge drop in the end. I felt that the writer brushed past important things in the end (like the actual theif- the whole point to a mystery!) which made it far too rushed.
But I didn't give this one star as I enjoyed the teacher and her way of running the class. It was refreshing and I found myself wishing I was a student in her class.
Despite the fact I didn't enjoy the book, I'm still going to use it in my book group. I'm not one for mysteries but the girls in my group might be. Indeed, I think they will enjoy going through the letters done in code and trying to decode them with thier mothers. I just won't give my opinion.
First off, every single little thing in the book was all connected. Everything from the names of characters, to thier age, where they lived, EVERYTHING was somehow mystically connected. Gimme a break. Seeing patterns where none exist?! Have they even seen A BEAUTIFUL MIND?! People go crazy looking for patterns in things that are not there- should we really be encouraging children to start looking at patterns in absolutly everything?!
Anyhow, I suppose if you put this aside, it was cute. I did stick it till the end to see how it all ended out. It was a bit of a cresendo and then a huge drop in the end. I felt that the writer brushed past important things in the end (like the actual theif- the whole point to a mystery!) which made it far too rushed.
But I didn't give this one star as I enjoyed the teacher and her way of running the class. It was refreshing and I found myself wishing I was a student in her class.
Despite the fact I didn't enjoy the book, I'm still going to use it in my book group. I'm not one for mysteries but the girls in my group might be. Indeed, I think they will enjoy going through the letters done in code and trying to decode them with thier mothers. I just won't give my opinion.
jennahg123's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75