Chasing Vermeer

When a book of unexplainable occurrences brings Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay together, strange things start to happen: seemingly unrelated events connect, an eccentric old woman seeks their company, and an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal, where no one — neighbors, parents, teachers — is spared from suspicion. As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth, they must draw on their powers of intuition, their problem-solving skills, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has left even the FBI baffled?

Book Reviews
Kirkus Review: "Art, intrigue, and plenty of twists and turns make this art mystery a great read. Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay set out to find the connection between their teacher (a freewheeling constructivist teacher), the eccentric woman in their neighborhood, the bookstore owner, and an international art thief. Balliett intersperses fascinating information about Johannes Vermeer and his paintings throughout the two friends’ quest to solve the mystery—a mystery layered with pentominoes (a mathematical tool consisting of 12 pieces), puzzling clues, and suspicious strangers. Helquist’s detailed black-and-white chapter illustrations hold hidden messages, clues related to the pentominoes, and more puzzles. Fans of E.L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game will find equal pleasure in this debut by a talented writer."

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/blue-balliett/chasing-vermeer/

Kadon Enterprises: "I was amazed and delighted to hear of this book, which features our favorite plaything, pentominoes, as a major part of the plot line. Not since Arthur C. 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.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett is allegedly a children's mystery novel, but I think it will intrigue all readers. Its plot structure is superbly crafted to integrate the diverse elements and characters, like a puzzle with many pieces to be fitted together. It could hold its own against the masters of intrigue such as Doyle and Christie." - Kate Jones

http://www.gamepuzzles.com/chasing.htm

Activities
What are pentominoes and how do they work? Find out here: http://www.scholastic.com/blueballiett/games/pentominoes_game.htm

Other Links:
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMq7zFLV7d4

Meet the Illustrator: http://www.scholastic.com/blueballiett/bretthelquist_bio.htm