Chasing Vermeer

I have just discovered Blue Balliett. Blue Balliett is the name of an author writing fascinating mystery books. They aren’t magic or fantasy and the kids involved don’t develop superpowers, belong to spy agencies or wrestle grizzlies with their bare hands. But, they do include the kind of kid who might live round the corner from you (or maybe even is you) solving complex mysteries about coincidence and looking for the extraordinary in everyday life.

Chasing Vermeer is a mystery story involving two quirky kids and a number of very strange occurrences. Petra and Calder are in the same class at school when their teacher, Miss Hussey sets them an art assignment: What makes a piece of art?

Petra and Calder’s quest leads them to a mysterious book about coincidences, and before long the two are finding connections in all sorts of seemingly unrelated events. When a famous Vermeer painting goes missing, Petra and Calder find themselves knowing a little too much about  an international  art scandal.

I enjoyed this story and it reminded me of an old favourite- The Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler, which is set in a museum –  you may come across this book in your modern classic unit – both books are well worth reading.

The Danger Box is on my list of Blue Balliett books to read next.