Description:
A family vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains turns into an unforgettable treasure hunt in this fast-paced middle-grade adventure.
Kevin Asbury has been part of the Ross family for less than twenty-four hours when he joins his new stepfather, stepsister, and mom on a post-wedding camping trip in the Great Smoky Mountains. For Kevin, who would rather stay indoors with a good book than sleep in a tent, the trip is already outside his comfort zone.
Everything changes after a visit to Gatlinburg leads Kevin and Anne to an old legend about a hidden treasure said to be protected by a mysterious curse. With help from new campground friends Brett and Brenda, the kids set out to uncover the truth while navigating unfamiliar wilderness, unexpected challenges, and the growing pains of becoming a new family.
Will they discover the legendary treasure before the curse catches up with them, or will Kevin's very first camping trip become one he'll never forget for all the wrong reasons?
Perfect for readers ages 8-12 who enjoy mystery, adventure, treasure hunts, national parks, camping, and stories about friendship and family.
Brief description: Marty Kay Jones writes middle grade fiction and nonfiction that inspires young readers to explore the outdoors, care for animals, and discover new adventures. Growing up in the Appalachian foothills nurtured her lifelong love of horses, hiking, camping, and nature, which continue to inspire her books today. Whether writing about life on a horse farm or adventures in America's national parks, Marty creates relatable stories filled with friendship, family, courage, and curiosity. She shares her home with her horses, Chip and Mango, and her Australian Shepherd, Petey, and enjoys exploring the many national parks and historic sites across the United States.
Review Quotes:
I love books for young readers that involve a good treasure hunt! The Curse of the Smoky Mountain Treasure follows Kevin and his new stepsister, Anne, as they embark on a family moon following the marriage of their parents. What is meant to be a hiking adventure in the Smoky Mountains with a pleasant cabin stay ends up introducing Kevin and his mom to tent camping and a hunt for treasure.
I enjoyed the fact that this book is very educational and informational. It gives definitions for words and explains how things are done. It seems that the writer understands that children need more explanation than adults. As a teacher, I often have students asking me what words mean when we read. This book did a great job of explaining many words that readers might have questions about. It also offered a lot of information on how to hike and camp that might be found in a how-to guide, but wove it effortlessly into the story. I also enjoyed the focus on preserving history. As an adult, there were some things that seemed to bother me. Kevin and his mom are not hikers, but are treated like they can barely walk when the descriptions of the hikes are given. At one point, they are being warned about the possible bumps in a paved hiking trail! I also thought it was odd that Kevin was so worried about going to the mountains. Although it might be a new experience, it seemed like an odd thing for him to be afraid of.
I listened to this book with my 11, 9, and 7-year-old boys. They enjoyed the story overall. They liked the adventure aspect. They did think it was a little slow to start, explaining the lead-up to the trip and giving a lot of explanations of how to hike and what each trail type is. They would have liked a little more adventure.
Overall, this is a fun book for a middle-grade reader and offers more educational value than many graphic novels. Emmaline02
I read this with my 9-year-old son. He enjoyed the adventure, humor, and scary, but not too scary, bits. He was a tad disappointed that the 'curse' was not a more exciting reveal. Kids! I found the writing style to be refreshing. It seems that many books for younger readers often simplify vocabulary, but that wasn't the case with this book. This is great for expanding young readers' knowledge. I also appreciated the look at navigating the relationship dynamics of a newly blended family. ToTheMoon