Synopsis:
Pablo Perez is a 12-year-old kid without much going for him. His classmates have dubbed him “Duct Tape” because his tattered discount-store sneakers are held together with…you guessed it, duct tape. He can’t escape the bullying.
Pablo’s luck begins to change after he finds a $20 gold coin while swimming with his sister in a river near their home. Pablo later buys a $1 treasure map at the county fair. The map shows the route to the “lost treasure” of the outlaw Jesse James. Pablo can’t help but wonder: Is there a link between the map and the gold coin?
He is determined to find out, and he, his 9-year-old sister, Pia, and 13-year-old cousin, Kiki, hire an ill-mannered cave guide, Monroe Huff, and begin a treacherous underground adventure in search of treasure. Their treasure hunt is made more perilous because they are being followed by the notorious Blood brothers, who want the treasure for themselves. The Blood brothers will stop at nothing to claim the treasure as their own.
Hott Review:
Don’t let the synopsis fool you — this is a terrific book!
When I first read the synopsis I thought I may like this but I just never could being myself to sit down and read, until yesterday. I DECIDED I was going to read this book if it killed me – within 10 minutes I wanted to be left alone with my book.
What I liked: Move over Goonies – Pia, Pablo & Kiki just knocked you out of the running!
What I didn’t like: The synopsis! I really didn’t give an adequate idea of the greatness of this book! I began it wondering if this could possibly be something I could get my pre-teen non-reader to pick up and ended wondering how best to read it to all of the kids without losing my voice.
More…
| Author: | Christopher Cloud | ||
| Source: | Christopher Cloud in exchange for an honest review many moons ago 😉 | ||
| Grade: | A+ | ||
| Ages: | It can be read and enjoyed by anyone 10+ but I think the younger ones would enjoy listening to it being read. | ||
Author Bio:
Christopher Cloud began writing fiction full time after a long career in journalism and public relations. Cloud graduated from the University of Missouri in 1967 with a degree in journalism. He has worked as a reporter, editor, and columnist at newspapers in Texas, California, and Missouri. He was employed by a major oil company as a public relations executive, and later operated his own public relations agency. Chris lives in Joplin, Missouri, and enjoys golf and hiking.
Website: Website
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Great review! Sounds like a great book. It really makes you realize the importance of a synopsis. After the cover (which I really like in this case) it is the most important thing to get readers interested in your book. I’m glad you liked it and it sounds like a book I would enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
Paul R. Hewlett
I know! I’m not really even big on the title. It makes sense but doesn’t really apply to the whole story.
I totally agree, and what really got me is when you said, “Move over goonies”. I have so got to read this book. Is it a big book? Hmmm Goonies, huh? Guess big or small it sounds really good! 🙂
That’s how it felt to me. It says it’s 190 pages but I read it in an afternoon — I couldn’t put it down. Goonies was/is one of my favorite movies & this has all of that fun and adventure with the foul or off-color language.
Grab it – I think the kindle version is less than $3!