Treasure Hunter's Handbook

June 15, 2014
There is treasure all around, and Walsh gives pointers on how to find it.However it's defined-pirates' gold; buried metal discovered with a metal detector; geocaches or letterboxes; rocks, minerals and gems; or sea glass, fossils or meteorites-this book has solid advice on how to find it. Six chapters address each of these treasures in turn, discussing how to find them, equipment needed, methodologies, and some safety guidelines and codes of conduct. Some history is thrown in throughout, and a scattering of personal stories and interviews adds a personal touch. While Walsh states that the "best treasure hunters work from feelings of intuition, which means that you just know something without really knowing why," she also points kids to local resources for finding treasures that don't rely on intuition, and a bibliography at the end provides other informational sources to consult. While the text often highlights the state of Maine, the ideas and advice presented could apply in almost any area. Vocabulary is well-defined within the text, and full-color photos throughout show kids actively engaged in treasure hunting, their tools and many of the finds that are possible.Let the treasure hunting begin! (Nonfiction. 7-12)

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July 1, 2014

Gr 3-6-This fun book details some unique activities that will offer a sense of adventure, exploration, and perceived independence, though the author is clear on the necessity of safety precautions and adult involvement. A theme of discovering treasures runs through the book, including pirate booty, gold, metals, rocks, minerals, gemstones, sea glass, fossils, and meteorites. A chapter is devoted to each kind of treasure hunt, with straightforward instructions on how to proceed and necessary equipment. Though family-friendly vacations might be planned around the pursuit of a specific treasure, Walsh suggests that hunting can easily take place in the woods, beaches, or streams close to home and even in one's own backyard. One section of the book is devoted to geocaching and letterboxing, two challenging activities that require unraveling clues or codes to locate a hiding spot with treasures contained within; once the spot is discovered, the hunter adds to the treasures, thus participating in a community of like-minded people. This book is a treasure trove itself when it comes to noting nonfiction text features. A wonderful introduction to some fun-filled, unique forms of recreation, the book uses exposition, photos, bullet lists, and text boxes. While instructions are provided for making an old-fashioned treasure map, more sample maps might have been a useful addition to this otherwise excellent book. One other minor drawback is the absence of an index.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

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