Tools for this page
Print

Chasing Vermeer

(2004, Fiction - Mystery, Written by Blue Balliett, Illustrated by Brett Helquist)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    A mystery, fantasy, and imaginative launch pad.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Children sneak out of their homes and engage in dangerous behavior.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence :

    Calder is knocked off a slide and injured.
  • Sex :

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Chasing Vermeer

Parents need to know that there's so much here to stimulate a child's mind: the codes embedded in both the story and the illustrations, art history, pentominoes, the works of Charles Fort, mathematical patterns, and much more. Many kids will want more information on one or more of the subjects presented and, with help from an adult, should find profitable areas for pleasurable research.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about art. What makes an object a work of art? How do you determine its value? Families can also talk about coincidences. Do you believe coincidences have meaning, or are they just a matter of chance?
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Enter your email address
I am over 13 years old
Tell us your child's age
Why we ask
Why we ask
Providing your kids' age allows us to give you personalized recommendations for your family on our site and in our weekly newsletter (coming soon) - so you get better information, faster.Your privacy is our priority.

You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!

To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.

Our Members Say

Have You Read It? Review It!

  • What did you think about Chasing Vermeer?
  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 8 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    a mystery????????

    well to start off this book is about where these kids get these letters and they are on a mission trying to solve the vermeer painting and they cant show anyone or tell anyone about the letter. if they do they will face the consequences. try to solve the mystery!

  2. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Anonymous
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Suspenseful and Marvelous

    This was a good book, period.

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 2.0

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Not to be missed

    When I first saw Chasing Vermeer in the store the same week it was released nearly three years ago, I was instantly intrigued. I read it straightaway. Since then, I've read it an additional half a dozen times and it’s become one of my favorite childhood books. After all, what's not to like? Mature middle school readers will be delightful the two unconventional characters, tossed headfirst into an international art scandal, and left to solve it use patchy clues, intuition, and chance. Furthermore, they’ll undoubtedly be captivated by Blue Balliet’s introductions to Chicago, Johannes Vermeer, Lo!, pentominoes, etc.; so much so, as a matter of fact, that they may chose to do a bit of investigating of their own.

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A must read book for anyone...

    This book is real exciting. I really like mystery novels, so this was perfect for me.

Find books reviews by title

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Site of the Week

    KidZui

    KidZui

    Kids' browser features prescreened, safe sites.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Cheating Via Chat?

    Cheating Via Chat?

    Is it OK for kids to do homework on Facebook?

  • Tech Tip

    What parents need to know. All About Avatars

    What parents need to know.

  • Pick of the Week

    MTV for Young Teens

    MTV for Young Teens

    Good MTV shows? Yup -- check out our list.

  • Game of the Week

    EA Sports Active

    EA Sports Active

    Virtual personal trainers help families get fit on the Wii.