A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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Educational Value
some
Treasure Hunters is the first book in a series. Because it mixes big text, lots of adventure, and illustrations, it might be a good pick for reluctant readers. The author also introduces readers to history, art, literature, and defines words along the way.
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Positive Messages
some
There's a strong message in Treasure Hunters about the importance of families.
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Positive Role Models
some
Each of the Kidd siblings has a particular strength, but they value one another (and even cheer one another up when they make mistakes).
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Violence & Scariness
some
The Kidds' mother was kidnapped and their father disappeared during a storm. Many guns are drawn, including spearguns and AK-47s. One of the Kidd siblings is kidnapped and another one has two guns pointed right on her. Villains are encircled by sharks after one of them is wounded. The Kidd siblings are also trained in karate and try to take out a group of security officers with their martial arts moves.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
The 17-year-old brother, described as a heartthrob, flirts with girls in bikinis throughout the story. He also gets obsessed with a picture of a naked woman when visiting an art collection.
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Language
very little
Several uses of the word "butt." Also, overweight sister Storm gets called names by several mean people (one group makes "walrus and blubber jokes.")
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Products & Purchases
a little
Mentions of Kmart, Slurpee, Nike, Pop-Tarts, Papa John's Pizza, Twinkie, Ben & Jerry's, iPod, iPad, Google.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
The Kidds' nemesis smokes cigars. When Beck is kidnapped, she notices her kidnappers have some soggy cigarettes in an ashtray. The siblings shoot their guardian full of a truth serum, hoping to find out more about their parents.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Treasure Hunters is the first book in a series by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein (co-authors of I Funny: A Middle School Story) about treasure hunting siblings whose mother has been kidnapped, and whose father just disappeared during a storm. Many guns are drawn, including spearguns and AK-47s. (Due to the gun content, we recommend this for kids 9-12, rather than the publisher's recommendation of 8-12.) One of the Kidd siblings is kidnapped and another one has two guns pointed right on her. Sharks encircle some villains after one of them is wounded and bleeding in the water. Besides all the adventure, there's an important message about families: The Kidd siblings each have their own strengths, but they value one another (and even cheer one another up when they make mistakes). Cartoon-like black-and white illustrations by Juliana Neufeld add to the fun and make for smooth sailing, even for reluctant readers.
What's the Story?
Professor Kidd and his wife have raised their four children on the boat from which they travel around the world seeking treasure. But after their mom goes missing in Cyprus and their father disappears -- and possibly drowns -- during a storm, the kids decide to stay on the boat and continue their work. Along the way, they face constant peril from both the authorities and a band of scuba ninjas led by their father's nemesis, a fellow treasure hunter named Nathan Collier. But as they work together using their unique talents (Tommy is good at sailing, Storm is a genius and good with computers, and brother-sister twins Bick and Beck are tough and hardworking), they continue to discover real treasure. They also discover some big family secrets -- and even a way to get their mother back.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about treasure hunting. Why is it such a popular theme in literature? What other books have you read that involve pirates or other kinds of treasure hunters?
What do you think's fun about writing a series? Why do publishers like publishing them? Why do you think they're so popular with kids?
Do you plan to read the next book in the Treasure Hunters series? Do you plan to read all the books?
