Rating: - Wonderfully Intriguing
I first checked out this book from the library thinking, "Eh. Just something for reading points." Well, let me tell you something. I WAS WRONG!!! This book is about to 6th graders who try to find the missing Vermeer painting, A Lady Writing. The story takes you through twists and turns and has a deep plot. I finished it in two days. Some people may say that this is not the best story, but I am living proof that THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE NO RESPECT FOR GREAT STORIES WHATSOEVER!!!! Take my advice and READ THIS BOOK. I am near positive that you will be sucked into it by the first page.

---

Rating: - Chasing Excellence...And not Quite Reaching it
On paper (which I guess is a phrase that doesn't work quite as well in regard to books), the concept of this book thrills me! Geometric puzzles, art history clues, and natural phenomenons? I love it all! And even when I first read this book, I was totally gripped by the story and all the layers of mystery and curiosity. It was in my second reading that this house of cards flattened out on me.

This book frustrated me much in the same way that Harry Potter has. The author just takes too many liberties to allow the reader to feel part of the story. It feels unfair when an author gets to have a surprise hidden panel in the wall at the end of the story. I don't know if this is so much true for all genres. A mystery, however, should be tight. It needs to feel like a completed puzzle at the end - either leaving you feeling satisfied that you called it right, or amazed at how well it all came together. When it feels like a jumble that nobody could have pieced together except the author (and even appears that the author took pains to make it more complicated than necessary) it just doesn't work. In some cases of literature (and art!), when you think "I could have made that," it is a compliment on how easy the creator made it look. In the case of Chasing Vermeer, and knowing full well my limitations as a writer, thinking "I could have written that" is not a good thing.

For a book club book, I think this will still be a delight to young readers. If the club is given all the extra ingredients to completely lose themselves in a world of mathematical and artistic mystery, fall in love with Chasing Vermeer. I have only read this book aloud with students. To independently read it as a book club, students would probably need to be older and have strategies for figuring out the references the book makes.

---

Rating: - Clever premise, disappointing execution
My main problem with this book is the lack of realism in regards to the young protagonists. Children don't think, act, or speak the way Calder and Petra do in this novel. Their thoughts and actions reflect how an adult might like a child to think and behave. There is little or no authenticity in these characters.

Another issue is with the plot and the way in which the story progresses and ultimately resolves itself. Events are random and there is little causality. This might not have bothered me so much, though, if the characters had been engaging and realistic.

---

Rating: - Cure for the DaVince Code
I have never tried so hard to not like a book. I'm not sure exactly what I had against the book, but I fully intended to read it and then pick it apart. I originally bought a copy for my little sister with the full intention of stealing it from her and finding out why it was so darn popular.But only after a few chapters I was sucked into the enchanting mystery. Balliett has made a fine puzzle with all the intricacies of "The Westing Game" and "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E.Frankweiler" and just as much human passion. It is a clever, pop-corn entertaining mystery that explains why this book is so darn popular. Even after the fluffiness, the book has plenty of its own emotional meant--the author cared for his characters and he cared for his story, even the itty-bitty minor things that in the end ironically proved to be of vast importance. I imagine Balliet originally writing this story simply to entertaing himself, which just so happens to be the origin of so many great stories.This is not just a story--this is about art and what makes various things art. It is about looking for beauty in unusual places and the emotional and mental journey it takes to discover that beauty. And it is all done without the hullaballo of snobby adult writers. The writing is simple, quick, with just a tinge of the right emotions, and I found myself getting very attached to the very real characters. Great plot, great characters, and simply a great idea. Excellent book.

---

Rating: - Chasing Vermeer
Chasing Vermeer
By Blue Ballitot
Genre: Mystery
Review by Joseph

The book Chasing Vermeer is a great story about two Friends, Petra Andalle and Calder Pillay. In the beginning the book is very confusing; it opens with a letter - a very misleading letter, which three people from Hyde Park Chicago receive. Then later a painting is stolen. When Calder and Petra hear about this, they set out to find the Lost Vermeer.

One thing I liked about this book was the challenge. It is confusing in parts and doesn't make sense but the more you read it the story will start to unfold. This book seems never ending; it seems like you can never put it down.

Petra and Calder may succeed or fail; read to find out. When you read this book, you will have many questions. Keep track of them and write down the page because when you finish this book you may need to read back to make sense of it all. I recommend this book to 3rd graders and up, as it is confusing and a challenge. However a challenge is no reason not to read it.

Chasing Vermeer is definitely in my top 5 favorite books.