The Wright 3

by Blue Balliett
Illustrations by Brett Helquist
318 pages, CMSW hardcover

Rene (a student) kept pestering me to read this, so I finally took it home. I had heard people rave about "Chasing Vermeer" and hadn't loved it as much as my students, so I wasn't super excited to read this one.

I really enjoyed it! I liked the mystery elements better than in the Vermeer book. I liked the clues about the house and the Frank Lloyd Wright history that was woven throughout it. The relationship between the three kids was believable and developed nicely.

The sandwich code took me a little while to figure out. At first, I was making it harder than it needed to be. The "sandwich" was just junk letters framing the actual message letters. Once I caught on, it was much quicker to read than the pentiminoes code in the first book.

All in all, a delightful story. And a very quick read.

Chasing Vermeer

by Blue Balliett, illustrated by Brett Helquist

254 pages, paperback, CMSW

I've heard kids raving about this book for two years, so I had to read it! It's a mystery story with lots of clues - in the text and in pictures. I need to get this copy to a student, so I'll have to look at the pictures and check the website - I think there's a lot I missed!

Spoiler alert!

It took me a while to translate the secret messages using the code, so here they are for anyone too lazy to figure it out themselves (below the code):

Chapter 6

Calder - Name of kid next door is Frog. Vanished last week. I think kidnapped. have to stay inside. Mom afraid. New York stinks. - Tommy

Tommy, so sorry about Frog. Maybe you can solve mystery and be hero. Be careful. - Calder

Chapter 12

Calder - Fred caught me looking for clues on Frog. Got mean. Took my bike. Mom and Fred fighting. - Tommy

Chapter 14

Calder - Fred moved out. We want to come home but no money. - Tommy

There's so much more in this book than just a mystery story! Lots of extras at the end, too. My favorite part was when Petra found Calder in the tree house with the painting. The kids' names are cool, too!

Not sure if / when I'll read the sequel. I also really liked the pentiminoes and how Calder used them.