6 Mysterious Art Capers for Young Readers

Under the Egg, by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
Laura Marx Fitzgerald’s first novel, Under the Egg, is a mystery with an admirable heroine. By chance, thirteen-year-old Theo finds a painting hidden beneath one her artist grandfather painted. The more she researches the canvas, the more she begins to suspect that it might be an actual Renaissance masterpiece. But if it’s the real thing, then why does her grandfather have it, and is it stolen? With the help of Bodhi, the new girl on the block, and a host of other entertaining characters, Theo discovers the truth about her grandfather’s past and the mysterious painting. For those parents worried about today’s technology-dependent kids, this teenaged sleuth is completely unplugged, relying solely on her own brain to solve problems rather than Googling it.

Chasing Vermeer, by Blue Balliett
Blue Balliett’s Chasing Vermeer is a mystery that will make your child think for him or herself, rather than telling them what to think. Present and accounted for are the traditional trimmings of an entertaining mystery—multiple suspects, plot twists, clues and even red herrings—but also secret codes that must be decoded in order to get to the end of the story. When a famous Vermeer painting, The Lady Writing, is stolen en route to a Chicago museum, Petra and Calder, classmates at the University of Chicago Lab School, are determined not only to locate the painting’s whereabouts, but the criminals behind the theft. Clues lead them down several different paths, from an old lady in the neighborhood, to their own teacher, to a well-known bookstore and a book of phenomena. Along the way, Petra and Calder also have to find out whom they can really trust. Good thing they are up to the task!

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsburg
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler tells the story of two runaway siblings who spend the night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art—and kids have been dreaming of museum adventures ever since its debut in 1977. Twelve-year-old Claudia Kinkaid feels unappreciated by her parents and decides to escape her seemingly boring life in suburban Connecticut. Her destination: New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her traveling companion: her nine-year-old brother Jamie who just happens to have money when she doesn’t. At the museum, Claudia and Jamie hide from guards, sleep on invaluable treasures and bath in the fountain. When a curious statue of an angel, possibly by Michelangelo, is donated to the museum, Claudia decides to unearth the statue’s origins. The search takes them to the home of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the original owner of the statue and also the narrator of the story. Not only does Claudia solve the mystery about the statue, but she learns a bit about herself in the process, too.

Wonderstruck, by Brian Selznick
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick features two stories: one in words and one in black-and-white illustrations. The words tell the story of 12-year-old Ben in 1977 Minnesota, who recently became an orphan after the death of his mother and whose sleep is disturbed by dreams of wolves. The pictorial story is that of 12-year-old Rose in 1927, who keeps a movie-star scrapbook and longs to go to New York. Both preteens are deaf, and both pack their bags and run away to New York City, where they take refuge in the American Museum of Natural History. This landmark museum is where they meet some of the most influential people in their lives. Both characters have lapses of judgment and courage, but also learn a great deal about themselves and others along the way. Although Rose and Ben live worlds and years apart, in the end we learn that they have a very special connection, which will leave the reader wonderstruck, too.

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, by Karen Foxlee
Karen Foxlee’s Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy introduces Ophelia, who along with her father and sister are mourning the loss of Ophelia’s beloved mother three months earlier. This modern-day version of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” takes place in a foreign snowy city ,where Ophelia’s father has taken a job as curator of a sword exhibit. This leaves Ophelia with plenty of time to explore the museum on her own. She soon discovers the Marvelous Boy, who is locked away and must be rescued in order to prevent the end of the world. As the book’s story unfolds, the boy’s own tale of how he was captured by the Snow Queen is revealed. Ophelia’s adventures help restore her faith in love and bring her close to her family again, and her tale is a great reminder for middle graders to believe in themselves. As readers, they will have no trouble believing in Ophelia, even when she doubts herself.

Masterpiece, by Elise Broach
The protagonist in Elise Broach’s Masterpiece is a quiet boy, James, who lives with his mother and stepfather. James is largely ignored by his family and in need of friendship. Along comes Marvin, a beetle living with his family behind the kitchen sink. After James receives a pen-and-ink set from his artist father, Marvin creates a tiny, detailed drawing for James, which everyone assumes James did. Soon those works of art bring James to the attention of a curator at the Met, who needs James’ help in catching an art thief. James, in turn, can only do it with Marvin’s help. Masterpiece beautifully captures how a friendship, even between a boy and an insect, can improve the lives of both. Marvin looks beyond his world behind the kitchen sink and becomes braver in the process; James soon develops more supportive relationships with both of his parents. This pint-sized mystery is a real delight.
What are your favorite art capers for young readers?