Chasing Vermeer -- Blue Balliett

Da Vinci Code for kids, minus the controversial religious stuff.

I read Chasing Vermeer quite a while ago, and I've kind of been putting off writing about it. It was good, sure, but I didn't love it--I certainly didn't think that it was mindblowingly great or anything. What it really made me want to do more than anything else was read Girl with a Pearl Earring. Or watch the movie again. (Mmmmmmm... Colin Firth...)

This is the letter that starts it all:

Dear Friend:

I would like your help in identifying a crime that is now centuries old. The crime has wronged one of the world's greatest painters. As those in positions of authority are not brave enough to correct this error, I have taken it upon myself to reveal the truth. I have chosen you because of your discriminating eye, your intelligence, and your ability to think outside of convention.

If you wish to help me, you will be amply rewarded for any risks you take.

You may not show this letter to anyone. Two other people in the world have received this document tonight. Although you may never meet, the three of you will work together in ways none of us can predict.

If you show this letter to the authorities, you will most certainly be placing your life in danger.

You will know how to respond. I congratulate you on your pursuit of justice.

The book is full of codes, puzzles, and I didn't figure out the answer before reading the solution. There is quite a bit of discussion of Picasso's quote, "Art is the lie that tells the truth," which was great. Even though it wasn't my favorite book ever, it would made a good book group or classroom choice because of all of the possibilities for discussion.

(The website is pretty fun--you can play pentominos, which figure into the story pretty heavily). I do think it's worth reading, but maybe not worth running out and buying the hardcover.

Comments

This Book was so bad!! It jumped from place to place and I couldn't keep up with the story. I would never reccomend this book to any of my friends I'm shure like me all my friends woul'd HATE it!!

THIS BOOK WAS HORRABLE!! EWWWW.... Never in my life would I reccomend this book to enyone. Plus the drawings were so bad. A 4 year old kid could do better than that. I also don't get this frog thing In every photo this frog shows up.We haven't even got half through the book and already I hate it. And after we read a chapter we have to do all these activies and i get so confused . this book is redickulus I would not reccomend this book to anyone. It also jumps from place to place wich makes it more confusing. and what kind of a name is Chassing Vermeer??
Also what are pentomanoes I don't get this whole shapes that look like letters. Then that brings us to that whole code thing... It is a wast of time doing these activitys and reading this book. Ya c We are reading this book in class togeter me and my friends are not even listening! But we still Know what the book is about.I could go on for hours telling u what is wrong with this book If anyone dissagrees with me they should post a comment on this website. I have been so sick of reading this book i am about ready to fall asleep ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...Why out of all these books It hade to be the most boringest book.The chartors are really ugly. That petra person is so ugly and weird and coldar is so weird looking. Who has the name coldar??If I hear anymore of this stupid book I would burst.If I was to rate this book out of 1-100000 I would choose 0. Remember If someone dissagrees with me i will check back in a week to see what you said. Chow chow**

Hi to all my friends Brooke and taylor from the one who hates Josh

[erui]

i loved this book