Abraham's Treasure - Softcover

Joanne Skerrett

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0953222489 ISBN 13: 9780953222483

Publisher: Papillote Press, 2011

Synopsis

"A moving coming of age story packed with tropical adventure." - Ros Asquith Teenage twins James and Jerome discover that treasure, buried during the days of slavery, is their rightful inheritance. As the boys de-code the clues that will lead to the treasure, they have some strange encounters: there's a helpful parrot, a ghostly figure from the past and a legless man who can walk; they escape from a falling tower and discover a boiling lake. And, of course, there's also an evil stranger who confronts them in an exciting climax. Abraham's Treasure mixes a classical hunt-the-treasure plot with a hint of magical realism to give a real page-turning quality. The twins are typical teenagers who have some very untypical experiences as they desperately strive to reach the treasure - whatever that may be - before their adversary. Great for boys but girls, too, will identify with the twins and also with Petra, an annoying neighbour who is just as smart as they are. And the wild landscape of Dominica makes it a perfect location for a spot of treasure-hunting. Joanne Skerrett was born and brought up in Dominica. She moved with her family to the United States during the 1980s. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a BA in English and later attended Northeastern University where she earned an MBA. She also holds a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She has been a journalist on newspapers including the Boston Globe and Chicago Tribune. Joanne lives in Washington DC where she works as a lawyer. Abraham's Treasure is her fifth novel and her first book for young people.

About this title

Review:

"A moving coming of age story packed with tropical adventure"
Ros Asquith

As in any good adventure story, there is in Abraham s Treasure intrigue, there are twists and turns, there is dramatic irony. There are lessons also of the nature of determination, of man s inhumanity to man, of greed, of justice, of being able to let go of one s dreams once daunting reality sets in. Though, we are told, in the words of Mr Brown, when in the final pages he is asked how the boys should get the treasure if it is indeed theirs: I don t know. We will have to see what they do next no doubt, leaving the gate wide open for a serial publication, as fans of Abraham s Treasure would be pleased to hear. The action and lessons of Abraham s Treasure should inspire the imagination of boys in particular and that is surely a very good thing for all of our Caribbean youth, their parents and teachers.
--Nahdjla Carasco-Bailey, Caribbean Book Blog

From the Publisher:

This is a tremendously exciting and very engaging book suitable for all ages, from 10 years up. It's set on a tropical island - the sort of place where most children from the colder parts of the world dream of. The teenage twin boys who set off on the treasure hunt live with Granny but have their dreams too - not just of finding the treasure but also of going to America where their father lives. As Ros Asquith, best-selling and award-winning children's author says: "A moving coming of age story packed with tropical adventure."

About this edition

• Publisher: Papillote Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0953222489
• ISBN 13: 9780953222483
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 184