Book Review: The Calder Game

What are the things you can count on in a book by Blue Balliett? Mystery, art, literature, math, history and puzzles. In The Calder Game, she delivers once again. Following in the same vein, and with the same characters, as her two previous hits, Chasing Vermeer, and
The Wright 3, this third book is a bit lengthier, but every bit as provocative.

Calder Pillay gets the chance of a lifetime when he is allowed to join his father on a trip to a small town in England (especially since his new teacher, Ms. Button, doesn't inspire, or even accept, the passion for individual exploration which Ms. Hussey had always nurtured). Just prior to his departure, we get a chance to see Ms. Button in action on a field trip to the art museum to view an Alexander Calder exhibit.

Both Calder and his father are surprised to discover an actual Alexander Calder sculpture, newly established in the small town they are visiting, near Blenheim Palace. Even more surprising, is the adverse reaction of the townspeople. Calder is enjoying his time, exploring mazes and playing his own Calder game, until the night he and the sculpture vanish.

When Calder's mother is laid up and can't come help her husband search for the boy, Calder's father decides to enlist the aid of Calder's friends, Petra and Tommy. Though each child has a particular gift (Petra - words, Tommy - discovery), they team up and try to think in the mathematical way Calder would, in order to solve the mystery. They find that, like the garden mazes they explore, there are lots of twists and turns and dead ends.

Balliett will certainly get young readers thinking about patterns, symbols, history, and ideas (i.e., the purpose of art and the evocative nature of words, among many other ideas). She does a fantastic job of creating an enticing story which propels kids into exposure to art, literature, history and mathematics.

Moreover, Brett Helquist's illustrations add to the mystery of the novel. I have never taken the time to focus on his illustrations and unlock hidden messages or codes (I know the first book offered this further activity), but do love his style. I'm sure young readers enjoy searching for clues in the illustrations.

I made a point of suggesting Blue Balliett's books to my son, in case he needs a new book to read for his English class. ES is more interested in math than literature, so perhaps these books would hold his interest. However, with the length of this one, I'm guessing he'll turn it down (still, I'm all for starting with the first book in a series!). Maybe my copy of Chasing Vermeer, will mysteriously appear on his desk in his room. Too bad Vermeer wasn't one of the artists included in that Artists card game he enjoys playing. I'm all for incorporating games with literature. Perhaps that is why I thoroughly enjoyed The Calder Game.