35 books
—
13 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Calder Game (Chasing Vermeer, #3)” as Want to Read:
The Calder Game
(Chasing Vermeer #3)
by
Petra, Calder, and Tommy, the sleuths at the center of the amazing CHASING VERMEER and THE WRIGHT 3, are back with a labyrinthine new mystery to solve.
When Calder Pillay travels with his father to a remote village in England, he finds a mix of mazes and mystery . . . including an unexpected Alexander Calder sculpture in the town square. Calder is strangely drawn to the scu ...more
When Calder Pillay travels with his father to a remote village in England, he finds a mix of mazes and mystery . . . including an unexpected Alexander Calder sculpture in the town square. Calder is strangely drawn to the scu ...more
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Calder Game (Chasing Vermeer, #3)
Having worked at an arts magnet school for the past three years, I struggled to find ways to incorporate art into my student's day while still meeting all of my core content responsibilities. This and the other two Balliett books solved my problem. Every time I put the bookmark in and said, "I think we'll stop there for today." They would groan and say "one more chapter!" We made Calder mobiles the last week of school and it was amazing to me how well my little 4th graders incorporated Calder st
...more
randomly felt like reading this book from my childhood yesterday lolol
Third in Balliett's series involving three smart kids, an artist, and a mystery. This one features the artist Alexander Calder and takes place largely in Oxford, England.
Calder is an artist made for kids to appreciate and Balliett does a super job intriguing her intended audience. As with her previous books she engagingly provides puzzles and such to entice them to go off and find out even more about this marvelous artist. Her love of art and artists is clear yet, as in her earlier books, she c ...more
Calder is an artist made for kids to appreciate and Balliett does a super job intriguing her intended audience. As with her previous books she engagingly provides puzzles and such to entice them to go off and find out even more about this marvelous artist. Her love of art and artists is clear yet, as in her earlier books, she c ...more
I liked the intent of this book: to get kids excited about art and ideas. It inspired me to make a mobile - a piece of art in motion, never exactly the same thing twice -- like people do in this book. I like the idea that art can be for anyone, not just those rich enough to collect it.
However, the characters and plot seemed a bit lame to me. I never really cared about the characters very much; they were too two-dimensional. Granted, if I had read the previous two books of the series, I might ca ...more
However, the characters and plot seemed a bit lame to me. I never really cared about the characters very much; they were too two-dimensional. Granted, if I had read the previous two books of the series, I might ca ...more
Actual Rating 3.5
I believe this is the first time in a couple of years that I read a middle grade book. The only reason I even picked it up was because I had read the first two books in the series in middle school and adored them. So I set out to complete the series.
It was such an interesting experience because middle grade is so different from YA and Adult and it was just so refreshing.
But with that said it’s pretty hard to say anything about this book because I have no idea how I feel about it ...more
I believe this is the first time in a couple of years that I read a middle grade book. The only reason I even picked it up was because I had read the first two books in the series in middle school and adored them. So I set out to complete the series.
It was such an interesting experience because middle grade is so different from YA and Adult and it was just so refreshing.
But with that said it’s pretty hard to say anything about this book because I have no idea how I feel about it ...more
I vaguely remember not being all that thrilled with Balliett's second book, The Wright 3, but The Calder Game is delightfully full of mystery and suspense, incorporating her familiar themes of art, language, and numbers. I love how Balliett introduces artists and thier work to young readers. I get excited about whomever she's writing about, so hopefully the kids will too.
Balliett takes the action to England, where Calder and his dad are traveling on a business trip. With Calder out of the threes ...more
Balliett takes the action to England, where Calder and his dad are traveling on a business trip. With Calder out of the threes ...more
An OK mystery. The text was a little too repetitive and the "clues" fell too neatly into place. Having said that, I think lots of kids would like this third whodunnit from Balliett.
...more
I personally think it is the best book in the series.
A good book and interesting. I think the theme just keeps going.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Mystery chapter book
For ages 9 and up
When Calder goes missing on a trip to England, his friends Petra and Tommy become involved in the search for what happened to him - and a missing Alexander Calder sculpture.
This is the third installment in Balliett's series of art-related mysteries. Illustrations by Brett Helquist not only compliment the story but also contain a mystery of their own. The story has a great sense of atmosphere and does a wonderful job of describing real and imaginary art, which ...more
For ages 9 and up
When Calder goes missing on a trip to England, his friends Petra and Tommy become involved in the search for what happened to him - and a missing Alexander Calder sculpture.
This is the third installment in Balliett's series of art-related mysteries. Illustrations by Brett Helquist not only compliment the story but also contain a mystery of their own. The story has a great sense of atmosphere and does a wonderful job of describing real and imaginary art, which ...more
this book suffered from all of the short-comings of her first two. all three books are ridiculously heavy-handed with the symbolism and "coincidences," and the "codes" and patterns she devises are kind of lame, especially in this book. also, all three books parrot her own personal opinions about the state of "art." oh, you like vermeer, calder, and bansky (and we learn late in this book--baaaaarf--o'keefe)? that's nice. also, she thinks all art should be free all the time (admirable enough, sure
...more
The Calder Game is a good mystery book for any person age 10 or up, if you are under 10, you will probably not know what the book or settings are about. Blue Balliett does a good job at placing historical facts in a suspense.Some great parts are learning who some famous artists and learning about math tools. There is only one bad part, and that is the boring parts that lead up t the suspense. I think any kid above 10 who has a taste for suspense will enjoy this book. this book reminds me when I
...more
May 31, 2009
Genevieve Trainor
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Anyone with a fondness for YA Lit
Shelves:
favorites
I am a big enough dork that I picked this up partly because of Brett Helquist's illustrations, but mainly because of my own obsession with Alexander Calder. What I discovered was an homage to his work, crafted intricately, with humor, poise, and a wee bit of art education thrown in. I need to find more books by Balliett - it would seem that this is part of a series? References are made to other adventures (generic, not specific) had by the main characters, so I assume said adventures have been c
...more
These books are a lot of fun ... mystery, puzzles, and kids having fun ... all while learning about art. This one also gave us a glimpse into life in England, and was fun, especially since I was there last year. I enjoyed this story, this puzzle very much ...
I think this book is a great finale to this series. It is suspenseful and very exciting. The characters and plot are all very easy to follow and understand as well. I definitely recommend this book!
A nice enough read. It wouldn't shake the world or anything.
...more
The Calder Game by Blue Balliett is an exciting mystery about three 6th graders, Calder, Tommy, and Petra, from Hyde Park, Chicago. When an exhibit from Alexander Calder, an artist and sculptor famous for his amazing mobiles, comes to the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art the children are enthralled by the mobiles. Calder feels particularly drawn to the mobiles because he is named after Alexander Calder and his parents are big fans of the artist. Soon, Calder and his friends start seeing Calder
...more
I remember really enjoying the first two books (well, Chasing Vermeer at least, I don't remember much about Wright 3) when I was a kid, but I don't know if maybe the series just doesn't age well for adults. I did enjoy some aspects:
- the sense of suspense and mystery
- some of the mobile stuff
- the overall plot direction
- the tie-in with art (once again)
- Mrs. Sharpe
but a lot of other things took away from my enjoyment as well:
- the "England is just so weird and different and insular" thing was ...more
- the sense of suspense and mystery
- some of the mobile stuff
- the overall plot direction
- the tie-in with art (once again)
- Mrs. Sharpe
but a lot of other things took away from my enjoyment as well:
- the "England is just so weird and different and insular" thing was ...more
Normally if I'm binge-reading a series I wait until I've read them all to write a review, but I have to say something before the end!
The first book was incredibly quirky and clever and intelligent. I really enjoyed it! But my main complaint was that the pattern of coincidences they put together to solve the mystery absolutely would not hold up in the real world - it was unrealistic.
Well, by now in the third book, there's some vague muttering about patterns, a lot of chatter about 'art', and mo ...more
The first book was incredibly quirky and clever and intelligent. I really enjoyed it! But my main complaint was that the pattern of coincidences they put together to solve the mystery absolutely would not hold up in the real world - it was unrealistic.
Well, by now in the third book, there's some vague muttering about patterns, a lot of chatter about 'art', and mo ...more
In The Calder Game, Calder Pillay travels with his father to a Woodstock in England. He then becomes fascinated with a sculpture which coincidently had the last name Calder. On the same night Calder and the Statue are taken and suddenly disappear, leaving only his friends Petra and Tommy to find their best friend. This book is one in a sequel to The Wright 3, which was also mostly focused on mystery and preserving art. However, some of the clues in The Wright 3 seemed to appear out of nowhere. T
...more
I maybe liked this more than 3 stars.
I loved the trope of mobiles and shifting/unexpected combinations and perspectives, especially the dynamic relationship between the three friends, but also the question of how long it takes to belong.
The characters are always fun. I wish I had such a trio of self-directed weirdos in my life.
The plot felt a little odd, too reliant on the happenstance of mobile movements. I had a hard time imagining a whole host of grown-ups thought the best solution to a miss ...more
I loved the trope of mobiles and shifting/unexpected combinations and perspectives, especially the dynamic relationship between the three friends, but also the question of how long it takes to belong.
The characters are always fun. I wish I had such a trio of self-directed weirdos in my life.
The plot felt a little odd, too reliant on the happenstance of mobile movements. I had a hard time imagining a whole host of grown-ups thought the best solution to a miss ...more
This book is very good at making you want to read it, I would know. I’m usually very picky and need a good catcher to help bring me in and enjoy the book and this book did just that. I caught myself reading page after page day after day until I was met with the satisfaction of when I finally finished.
This book is about 3 children ,Calder, Tommy, and Petra, who all love a normal life , but when Calder take a trip to England he suddenly goes missing along with a famous sculpture, forcing Tommy an ...more
This book is about 3 children ,Calder, Tommy, and Petra, who all love a normal life , but when Calder take a trip to England he suddenly goes missing along with a famous sculpture, forcing Tommy an ...more
I listened to this as an audiobook with my youngest son. We both loved the narrator. The plot and the narration kept my 11-year-old engaged and wanting to listen to more all the way through the book. We also referenced the physical book to look at the pictures and other things in the book. I really enjoyed the author's style of writing, the same as with the previous two books by the same author that we've read.
Basic plot hints without spoilers: this is a book about art, about a stolen sculpture, ...more
Basic plot hints without spoilers: this is a book about art, about a stolen sculpture, ...more
This is the 3rd installment in the adventures of a group of very smart, but quirky middle school students. They solve art crimes through adventures and a mindset that can only be seen through the eyes of a young one. The plot here is a little more sinister and ties the story of art together in a thoughtful and engaging style. When I finish one of Blue Balliett's books not only do I want to rush them into hands of students I encounter but I rush to google and see the images of the art on which he
...more
Authors can't hit it out of the ballpark each time, but this is a swing and a miss. Or maybe I should say a mess. Too much of the story/back-story is told to us- it felt like I was being lectured to. Balliett always had a tendency to do this, but it has become excessive in this book. Maybe she is so popular that editors can't point out the flaws. Only recommended for those that loved the earlier books and want to follow the characters, irrespective of the opacity of the writing. Didn't really li
...more
Nov 19, 2019
Katelin
added it
A young boy named Calder is named after a famous artist. His best friends do not like each other that much. He went to England with his father to see a rare piece of art by Alexander Calder, whilst he was admiring this art Calder met a young man and did not realize what would happen to him later. After only a few days in England he had gone missing. His problematic best friends had to work together to find him. The question is,did they find him?
I would recommend this book to someone who loves my ...more
I would recommend this book to someone who loves my ...more
actually 3+
Honestly, I don't remember much of the second installment; but, I remember not liking it as much as the first. I think this, the third, is slightly better again, though I wondered most of the way through when I would have liked to read this—maybe at age 6? So, it mightn't appeal to precocious readers. Given that it's targeted to middle-graders, there's nothing exceedingly sinister in the content.
As another reviewer has noted, the series probably appeals more to Hyde Parkers more than ...more
Honestly, I don't remember much of the second installment; but, I remember not liking it as much as the first. I think this, the third, is slightly better again, though I wondered most of the way through when I would have liked to read this—maybe at age 6? So, it mightn't appeal to precocious readers. Given that it's targeted to middle-graders, there's nothing exceedingly sinister in the content.
As another reviewer has noted, the series probably appeals more to Hyde Parkers more than ...more
Jan 18, 2020
Katie Kaste
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2020-challenge-book
This was a thrilling conclusion to the "Chasing Vermeer" series. Petra, Tommy, and Calder are back for one more adventure. This time Calder is on his own in England. When he goes missing it is up to Petra and Tommy to set aside their differences and work together. This group of kids finds a way to work together and save the day. I love the writing style of these books. This one was a little slower.than the other two, however I still enjoyed the book. I loved the character growth and adventure of
...more
I originally read this with my children's book club 7 or 8 years ago. I remembered enjoying the focus on artists Banksy and Alexander Calder, thus the title. The story also incorporated information about the English West country including the Cotswold's and Blenheim Palace landmarks not far from my in-laws. I pulled it off the shelf, because during the COVID shelter-at-home order it seemed a perfect mystery, light yet well written novel. Even though the target audience is teens, I was not disapp
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Middle Grade Realistic (?) Fiction, boy obsessed with Calder nearly freezes to death on trip. [s] | 4 | 10 | Feb 20, 2020 04:52PM |
Readers also enjoyed
I was born in New York City and grew up playing in Central Park, getting my share of scraped knees, and riding many public buses and subways. By the time I was a teenager, I sometimes stopped at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Frick Museum after school, just to wander and look and think. The Met has five Vermeer paintings and the Frick three, so Vermeer and I have been friends for many years
...more
Other books in the series
Chasing Vermeer
(4 books)
Related Articles
Of Women and Salt, the debut novel by Gabriela Garcia, has the feel of a sweeping family saga that’s hard to reconcile with the fact that it’s...
0 likes · 0 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“What was a foreigner, anyway? Is the place you're born the only place you really belong? At what point do you stop being from "away" and start being from "here"?”
—
39 likes
“Passing time isn't a steady thing. People try to measure it, but some days seem to have years packed into them, and others pass in the blink of an eye. Some days matter, and others don't.”
—
26 likes
More quotes…
