SPOILERS

Great book, I particularly enjoyed the artwork by Brett Helquist. The man has got serious talent. I loved the fish, and while I regret to say I still haven't figured out the hidden code, they were still awesome. (And was that a dragon at the end?!) As to the actual story, great writing as always. The mystery had many twists and turns and was nowhere near predictable. However, I do have complaints about the characterization. I was glad that we got to see Tommy in the story, but it really seemed like Balliett took one or two of each character's prominent traits, and that's all they got, no further development. Petra had her books & The Invisible Man, Calder had his pentominos, and Tommy had his collecting. That's all. Just a little 2D, IMO. The "red herrings" were the cleverest thing EVER. I really do think Petra, Calder, and Tommy are the new Ron, Harry, and Hermione ;) Great balance, as always, between the art, history, and mystery. I thought this one was much better than Chasing Vermeer, and I really hope I get the sequel soon!

Book 2 in the continuing story of Petra, Calder and Tommy doesn't disappoint. Great references to art and literature to keep your child thinking.

Twelve-year-old Tommy Segovia has returned to Chicago after a year away, and everything is different. His old house is completely different, and he doesn't live there anymore. His best friend, Calder, seems to have a new best friend, and it's a girl! And, the city wants to tear down Robie House, the historic Frank Lloyd Wright home that has always been a fixture in their neighborhood.

Calder Pillay is torn between his two close friends. He and Tommy have been best friends forever, but he and Petra solved a major mystery and crime together (Chasing Vermeer). They both have great and different talents, and Calder knows that if they could just all work together they could make an amazing team. Maybe even good enough to save Robie House. But it looks like he's going to be stuck in the middle for awhile. If only people could be more like his pentominoes. (Pentominoes are a mathematical tool, a set of twelve shapes of five connected squares. Calder keeps a set in his pocket; they help him think.)

Petra Andalee is a quiet girl who likes her books and writing, and she can't figure out why Tommy dislikes her so much. She and Calder make a good team, and Tommy and Calder make a good team, so where's the problem? She's torn between wanting to prove herself and feeling like she shouldn't have to. Either way, she intends to find a way to save one of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces.

Between Tommy's finding skills, Calder's logic, and Petra's unique analysis, they aren't about to let the house go quietly. Provided they trust each other enough. And the house might have a few things to say about it, too.

There is A LOT going on in this stand alone sequel to Chasing Vermeer.

Obviously there is the relationship between the three main characters, and the attempt to save Robie House. There is some Frank Lloyd Wright history, as well as Robie House-specific history. There is also mathematical figuring, and architectural oddities. There are even hidden pictures inside the illustrations. It also brings up some interesting ideas about the science of art and the art of science. There's so much happening that I almost feel like I need to go through the book a few separate times, looking at it from different angles.

There aren't many young fiction books geared toward a math/science type mind. If you're that type, I think you will really appreciate and enjoy this book. And even if you're not, it's still a good adventure!

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

Twelve-year-old Tommy Segovia has returned to Chicago after a year away, and everything is different. His old house is completely different, and he doesn't live there anymore. His best friend, Calder, seems to have a new best friend, and it's a girl! And, the city wants to tear down Robie House, the historic Frank Lloyd Wright home that has always been a fixture in their neighborhood.

Calder Pillay is torn between his two close friends. He and Tommy have been best friends forever, but he and Petra solved a major mystery and crime together (Chasing Vermeer). They both have great and different talents, and Calder knows that if they could just all work together they could make an amazing team. Maybe even good enough to save Robie House. But it looks like he's going to be stuck in the middle for awhile. If only people could be more like his pentominoes. (Pentominoes are a mathematical tool, a set of twelve shapes of five connected squares. Calder keeps a set in his pocket; they help him think.)

Petra Andalee is a quiet girl who likes her books and writing, and she can't figure out why Tommy dislikes her so much. She and Calder make a good team, and Tommy and Calder make a good team, so where's the problem? She's torn between wanting to prove herself and feeling like she shouldn't have to. Either way, she intends to find a way to save one of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces.

Between Tommy's finding skills, Calder's logic, and Petra's unique analysis, they aren't about to let the house go quietly. Provided they trust each other enough. And the house might have a few things to say about it, too.

There is A LOT going on in this stand alone sequel to Chasing Vermeer.

Obviously there is the relationship between the three main characters, and the attempt to save Robie House. There is some Frank Lloyd Wright history, as well as Robie House-specific history. There is also mathematical figuring, and architectural oddities. There are even hidden pictures inside the illustrations. It also brings up some interesting ideas about the science of art and the art of science. There's so much happening that I almost feel like I need to go through the book a few separate times, looking at it from different angles.

There aren't many young fiction books geared toward a math/science type mind. If you're that type, I think you will really appreciate and enjoy this book. And even if you're not, it's still a good adventure!

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

Twelve-year-old Tommy Segovia has had a rough year. First, he was yanked away from his beloved home in Chicago's Hyde Park, and forced to move away with his mother and her new husband. Then, after a year away from his Harper Avenue home, his stepfather was arrested for conspiring to steal a priceless Vermeer painting, and he and his mother ended up back where they started. Unfortunately, this time things aren't the same. Instead of moving back to his old Harper Avenue home, Tommy and his mother have been forced to rent an apartment located next-door to the Robie House. A beautiful place created by world-famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, that is scheduled to be torn down in a matter of days. While his new class is getting all riled up over the murder of the historical home, all Tommy can do is sulk. During his time away from Hyde Park, his best friend, Calder Pillay, took up company with a frizzy-haired girl named Petra Andalee. Calder wants nothing more than to be friends with both Petra and Tommy, but Tommy isn't having it. In his mind, "two's company, three's a crowd," and he wants Calder all to himself. Unfortunately, Calder is reluctant to leave Petra in the dust. After all, just last year he and Petra solved a huge crime involving a Vermeer painting, and Tommy's ex-stepfather that landed them in various newspapers, clinching their friendship for life. There was no way Tommy could compete with that. So, instead of fighting for friendship, he turns to the companionship of his pet goldfish, Goldman. However, when Tommy notices strange things occurring next-door at the Robie House in the middle of the night, and hears the urgent prodding of his sixth-grade teacher, Ms. Hussey, to save the house, he begins to contemplate joining forces with both Petra and Calder in an attempt to solve yet another art mystery. While he can't stand the constant scritch-scratch sounds that emerge from Petra as she scribbles in her notebook non-stop, and he dislikes Calder's frequent out-of-body experiences as he enters a world of his own thoughts, accompanied only by his pentominoes; however, the creepy voices that float out of the windows of the Robie House, the way the roof moves at unexpected moments, and the fact that there are strange shadows that slip in and out of the light through the windows peak Tommy's interest, and give him the ability to emerge from his own anger, and team up with the two. Through a series of coded messages, dual copies and readings of H.G. Wells's "The Invisible Man," ghosts, hidden treasures, and quite a bit more, the trio begins researching the history of the Robie House, determined to please Ms. Hussey with their discoveries. But as danger begins to follow the three everywhere they turn, they begin to wonder whether saving the Robie House, and solving the mystery is truly in their future; or whether it would be safer to simply turn their back on the project.

After reading Blue Balliett's outstanding CHASING VERMEER a little over a year ago, I found myself salivating over what new mystery she would be able to create for Calder and Petra to embark on. Replacing the trademark blue M&M's of CHASING VERMEER with the red Swedish Fish - aptly titled red herrings - of THE WRIGHT 3, Balliett has penned, once more, and amazing tale that is thrilling from start to finish. As with CHASING VERMEER, I found myself quickly drawn into the world of Petra and Calder once more. Petra's quick-thinking brain, and penchant for keeping notes on everything around her is reminiscent of Louise Fitzhugh's HARRIET THE SPY; while Calder's non-stop movement of his trusted pentominoes, and ability to put together various bizarre pieces to the puzzle throughout the story are irresistible. The fact that Petra is so literary, while Calder is a miniature math-whiz is a nice contrast, and provides a little something for everyone. Perhaps it was because I was so used to the Petra/Calder team from CHASING VERMEER, but I found it hard to accept Tommy into the group at first. He's quite stubborn, and his bad attitude can certainly get on your nerves over time, as he makes rude comments to not only Petra, but also to Calder. He seems like a spoiled toddler who isn't getting his way, and can really come off as an obnoxious individual. However, as the story progresses, he grows on you, and it's quite easy to see how he will make a wonderful addition to the next book in the series, as the "finder" of the group. I only hope that Balliett will keep Tommy's goldfish, Goldman, as a character for the future, as he really added a nice "fishy" side to the story; as well as helped to make Tommy more likable in the readers eyes. I absolutely adored Balliett's inclusion of various Frank Lloyd Wright and Robie House facts; and her tidbits of H.G. Wells's THE INVISIBLE MAN - which are scattered throughout the story - really lend an interesting addition to the mystery as a whole. A haunting mystery adventure that is utterly irresistible!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

This is a great sequel to the hit "Chasing Vermeer." Our 9 year old and 12 year old sons enjoyed both books. Our older son read both books and younger son listened to both on Audio CDs. I loved listening along as well.

This was a really good book,and i thought it was as good as Chasing Vermeer.