Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, illustrated by Brett Helquist (0-439-37294-1)
Three mysterious letters are sent to three different people and the art mystery begins. How are these people connected? Why have they been contacted? And how will almost-twelve-year-olds, Petra and Calder figure into the entire thing?
This book is filled with coincidence, mystery, wonder, and codes. It would be the perfect classroom read-aloud for 2nd through 4th grades and should inspire kids to look beyong the surface and find the coincidences and patterns in their own lives.

Katie Davis, Author/Illustrator
Official site for this author/illustrator of Who Hops?, which is one of my favorite read-alouds for toddlers. It works every time! Her site is filled with information on her art, reader’s theater scripts for her books, special sections for teachers and librarians filled with activities, and much more.