Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett; illustrated by Brett Helquist

Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay are two rather unusual children who become involved in an art theft and find themselves working together to solve the case and save the priceless painting from destruction. The painting is A Lady Writing by Johannes Vermeer and is stolen from a museum by someone who claims to want the world to know about Vermeer and that many paintings attributed to him are actually forgeries. Calder and Petra find themselves drawn deep into the conspiracy when it seems that the thief will destroy the painting if his demands are not met. If you like puzzles and mysteries, you will love this book!