The Search for the Homestead Treasure

March 7, 2016
Less mystery than family saga, this novel is set on a Minnesota farm owned by Swedish immigrants. The homestead has a dark history: in 1865, Anna and Carl Gunnarsson and their daughter, Cora, died of diphtheria; neighbors raised their infant son, Jacob, who eventually moved away. Four decades later, an impoverished Jacob returns to the rundown farm with his family, determined to start anew after the death of their oldest son. Soon after, Jacob is severely injured in a work accident, his wife drowns her grief in “patent medicines,” and 14-year-old Martin, who sorely misses his brother and his former life, assumes responsibility for resuscitating the farm. A clue in Cora’s diary, discovered in the barn, gives Martin hope of saving the property from foreclosure. Martin’s forbidden friendship with a charismatic Roma boy named Sam, who helps with farm chores and rescues Martin’s family from a fire, highlights cultural prejudices against the Roma (who are referred to as “gypsies” throughout). A concluding note from Treacy (coauthor of A Book of Grace) reveals how her own family history inspired this tightly written novel. Ages 8–12.

July 1, 2016

Gr 5-8-In 1903, 14-year-old Martin Gunnarsson and his family relocate to Goodhue County, MN, where Martin's father plans to reestablish a farm from the family's past. Martin's unhappy about the move, but when his father is injured in a logging accident, Martin's attitude changes and he strives to turn the farm into a success. He takes on the responsibilities of preparing the land, planting seeds, and tending crops. Martin also discovers his deceased aunt's diary, which suggests that a fortune in the form of his grandmother's dowry might be hidden somewhere on the farm. If Martin can find the hidden fortune, it could save the family from defaulting on the mortgage and stop Mr. Meehan's aggressive attempts to buy the property. Written in short chapters, the steady plot moves along with suspenseful episodes and events appropriate to the time period. Treacy offers readers a realistic look at the period's farm, school, and family life. The text includes entries from 13-year-old Aunt Cora's diary, which nicely link the family's current situation with the past. Martin is the most well-developed character. He learns about differences in cultures and the meaning of friendship when he befriends Samson, a boy who helps with the farm chores. Martin's Swedish family and Samson's "Gypsy" family are cautious of interacting with each other until the Gunnarsson farm burns and Samson's family comes to assist Martin's family. VERDICT Small font size may unfortunately put off some readers, but librarians needing additional historical fiction should consider this believable novel as a worthy additional purchase.-Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2016
Fourteen-year-old Martin must run the family farm after his father is seriously injured in an accident. The management of the homestead is all the more complicated because his mother, grief-stricken over the death of Martin's brother, abuses patent medicines, rendering her more passive spectator than participant. Nevertheless, Martin takes on the challenge of getting a crop into the ground. He's aided by a Roma boy, Samson, whom he befriends. Rumors hint at a family treasure lost on the farm. Martin discovers his aunt Cora's diary, penned nearly 40 years before and ending with her childhood death. It contains clues to the treasure, if only he can step out of his self-focus to understand them. While he's believably limned, other characters are less well-developed, diminishing their impact. Set in rural Minnesota in 1903, this evocative effort neatly weaves in period details. It reflects the demands of farming and the significant prejudice that was harbored by the white farmers against the Roma, documented both in the story that depicts their culture and in an informative author's note. (Both story and author's note use "Roma" and "Gypsy," depending on context.) Although the story is focused on Martin's coming-of-age and his evolving friendship with Samson, the treasure hunt subplot adds additional drama. A good bet for fans of historical fiction. (Historical fiction. 10-14)

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