In Blue Balliett's second mystery, Chicago schoolmates Petra, Calder & Tommy learn that Frank Lloyd Wright's deteriorating masterpiece, the Robie House, is designated for an unusual math feat of *L O N G DIVISION*! The Wright gem is to be severed so that sections can be given to four major world museums. With fellow 6th graders, the seasoned sleuths are fired up to save that treasure. Their adventures >>PLUS<< scaline triangles, Fibonacci numbers and pentaminoes . . . are all added to a broth kept simmering with a valuable fish 'find' as well as some unexplained & extraneous happenings. Blue Balliett once again leans heavily on the stylish illustrations of Brett Helquist to add complications so loved by young readers brought up with large doses of fantasy. His many illustrations of the main characters (including "Goldman" the fish) suggest that while all kids don't have "A.D.D's" the chapters do tend to be quick reads. Some criticisms of "Chasing Vermeer" cited "too many coincidences." In "The Wright 3" author Balliett makes coincidences a necessary part of the book's framework, a legacy from her last book. The average "tween" reader also seems to revel in "codes" whether they make sense or not . . . but they will be enthusiastic about this tale regardless. There are also ghostly figures >>AND<< red herrings netted at every turn. Are the clues mostly imagined? Will Petra & Tommy rub each other out? Have you wondered if author Balliett has teamed up with the NEA to raise the consciousness of "tween" readers regarding the world of Math & its impact? These questions are offered in case you feel a need for more actual mystery! THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: In "The Wright Three" readers will encounter more than their *Minimum Daily Requirements* of Quotations. Perhaps it isn't wise to encourage adults to review books for Young Adults - or "TWEENs." My own book choices at ages 10-13 came from the *MYSTERY* shelf . . . "C" featuring AGATHA CHRISTIE . . . in libraries that didn't have separate YA sections. I grew up longing to 'own' Hercule Poirot's "little grey cells" instead of Calder's pentaminoes. ON BALANCE, adults will probably stick to their long-standing preferences, whether some other Chicago mystery writer, or Christie, P.D. James or Laurie King, and middle-schoolers will be happy to read only reviews by their peers. If summer brings you to the mid-west Reviewer mcHAIKU suggests you schedule a walk in Chicago's Hyde Park at twilight . . . Be sure to break your leisurely pace long enough to check the shadows behind those puzzling windows . . . AND be grateful along with the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) that the Preservation Trust continues to make progress with the restoration of Robie House.