P.J. Hogan has signed on to direct "Chasing Vermeer," Warner Bros. Pictures' adaptation of Blue Balliett's best-selling children's book. Plan B is producing.

Described as a "Da Vinci Code" for tweens, "Vermeer" is a mystery adventure that revolves around a boy and girl who attend the University of Chicago's Laboratory Schools, a school for the gifted. The two sixth graders team to solve the theft of a painting by 17th century painter Johannes Vermeer. The book, published by Scholastic, features codes and clues in the illustrations by Brett Helquist, artist of "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events."

Matt Nix wrote the adaptation.

Jessica Goodman and Matt Reilly oversee for the studio.

Hogan, repped by CAA, last directed 2003's "Peter Pan," which he also wrote. The filmmaker directed the Julia Roberts-Cameron Diaz romantic comedy "My Best Friend's Wedding" and wrote and directed the Australian hit "Muriel's Wedding."