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The Wright 3
 | The Wright 3 Blue Balliett Date: April 2006 — $11.04 — Book Rating: |
Balliet returns to the scene of the crime in this follow up to her 2004 bestseller, Chasing Vermeer. Only a few short months have passed since sixth-grade sleuths Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay teamed up for their first adventure to recover a priceless piece of stolen art. Their lives in the bustling community of Hyde Park, which again plays a pivotal role in the complex and multi-layered plot, have been unremarkable, but events conspire to change both their neighborhood and friendship forever. When local authorities condemn the Robie House, a Frank Lloyd Wright showplace, Ms. Hussey urges her class to take action against “plunder in the name of salvation.” Sounds like a case for the dynamic duo, except the previously inseparable pair finds themselves unexpectedly at odds when Calder’s other best friend, Tommy Segovia, moves back to town. Balliet skillfully incorporates kid-familiar scenarios, “If they couldn’t all three be friends, then maybe none of them should be friends,” into an elaborate mystery-and-caper plot guaranteed to challenge devoted fans.
The intricate storytelling may demand more than one review by readers wishing to unravel the interconnected plots and make sense of the myriad of coincidences that propel the fast-paced action. While each subplot offers a primer on a particular discipline (art, architecture, literature), each also supports the character development of the protagonists: Petra’s love of literature and burgeoning career as a writer, Calder’s fascination with design and architecture, and Tommy’s penchant for exploration and discovery are alternately featured. Brett Helquist’s black and white illustrations and map of the neighborhood cultivate a sense of place already rooted in the text and heighten the intrigue and suspense factors. This one’s a top-notch sequel that’s definitely worth checking out.
Ages 9 and up.
