Treasure Hunters

Dog - There four main Kidds in James Patterson's book, Treasure Hunters. Their names are Bick Kidd (12 years old), Beck Kidd (12 years old), Storm Kidd(14 years old), and Tommy Kidd(17 years old). Bick and Beck are twins and Bick does all the writing in the book, while Beck does all the drawing. Bick's real name is Bickford and his skills include writing, treasure hunting and martial arts. He's never seen without his pen and paper or (obviously) his winning smile. Bick likes Writing, Journaling, a good hamburger (his favorite food), living on the Kidd ship, The Lost, and arguing with Beck. He hates arguing with Beck, when The Lost sinks and having to draw anything! He carries around a notebook for treasure info and story ideas and often wears his favorite hat and hoodie and crusty high top sneakers. His backpack contains two emergency flares and ancient artifacts. Beck's real name is Rebecca and her skills include drawing and high stakes negotiation. She's never seen without her artist's eye and a quick insult for Bick. She loves Impressionist art, yelling at Bick and the fresh paint smell. She absolutely hates losing. Ever. She carries around a sketch book to draw in and often wears 3-D glasses and steel toe boots (in case pirates need a good kick in the shins). She also carries around a bartering currency change purse and a knapsack the contents of which include aquamarine nail polish, an assortment of pens and pencils and sea shells. Storm's real name is Stephanie (but don't EVER call her that) and she has a photographic memory and is good at research and planning. She’s never seen without an internet connection and a good owner’s manual to memorize. Storm like’s any book ever written (ask her about the 23rd page of the Iliad) She also likes pulling one over on fully grown-ups. She dislikes scuba diving and fleeing. She usually wears a jacket with her signature storm patch and glasses. Her IQ is off the charts and she often carries around a calculator and a handy magnifying glass. Tommy’s real name is Thomas (his nick name is Tailspin Tommy) and his skills include navigation, deep sea exploration and sleeping. He’s never seen without his little black book and a sleeveless shirt to show off his toned guns. He likes Suzie, Gina, Rachel, Jennifer, Cassandra, Nancy, Brittney, Raquel, Monica, Piper, Mary, Victoria, Sunflower, Tracy, Tracey, Traci, Yvette, Alicia and pretty much every other girl he’s ever met. He dislikes losing his hair care supplies. He often carries around his tiger shark tooth necklace and antique spy glass and his stinky gym bag the contents of which include socks, a spy cam a mask, and a snorkel. Many of the Kidds also carry around navigational charts or maps of some kindbick or bickford is the main writer of the story he is great at writing ,martial arts, and is never seen without a pen and paper and a winning smile (obviously) he likes writing, journaling, arguing with beck, hamburgers, and living on the lost.he has maps, his favorite hat and hoodie, a cool head under pressure, notepad, and crusty hightop sneakers. him and beck also specialize in treasure hunting. beck or rebecca is the illustrator of the story and is great at drawing and high stakes negotiation. she always has her artists eye and a quick insult for bick. she likes yelling at bick, impressionist art, and the smell of fresh paint.she dislikes losing (very much i might add). She has her steel toed boots, her knapsack, and currency purse (do not forget the 3-d glasses she wears all the time since her moms disapearance)storm or stephanie (do Not i repeat Not call her that like... EVER) she is great at research, planning, and is working on her photographic...

Starred review from November 25, 2013
The Kidds aren’t alright, in this rousing new adventure series from the ever-popular Patterson. When the Kidd siblings discover their sea-faring, treasure-seeking parents are missing, they must take to the high seas to track them down—and dodge a few pirates along the way. All in the name of fun, narrator Bryan Kennedy digs deep and lets loose to create a wildly entertaining listening experience that will appeal to adventure fans both young and old. Kennedy’s character interpretations are layered and colorful from start to finish; each new addition to the plot is as captivating and engaging as the last. And Kennedy’s youthful tone adds a degree of innocence to the story, making it all the more fun and lighthearted. Ages 8–12. A Little, Brown hardcover.

August 12, 2013
Patterson and Grabenstein (I Funny) launch another middle-grade series with a tongue-in-cheek tale about four siblings who follow in their treasure-hunting father’s footsteps after he goes missing at sea. Told from the viewpoint of 12-year-old Bick and augmented by drawings by his twin sister, Beck, the story follows the Kidd children, which also include super-smart Storm and girl-crazy Tommy, as they set out to fulfill their father’s final mission: to hunt down a missing artifact and find the treasure that might help them rescue their kidnapped mother. They also contend with pirates, killer surfers, unsavory middlemen, and a rival treasure hunter, adventures that Neufeld masterfully captures with humor and energy in b&w illustrations that have something of a Robert Neubecker vibe. Though generally lighthearted, a frenetic sense of excitement and adventure permeates this nautical escapade, which features over-the-top situations and characters, and plenty of intrigue. There’s little time to breathe as the Kidds pinball from one spot of trouble to the next, making for a fun and fast-paced ride. Ages 8–12. Agent: Robert Barnett, Williams & Connolly. Illustrator’s agent: Shannon Associates.

August 1, 2013
The disappearance of their parents inspires four children to take over the family business: treasure hunting. Raised on board a ship and schooled in sailing, navigation, scuba and karate, Tommy, Storm, Bick and Beck are no strangers to adventure. When their father, professor Tom Kidd, is washed overboard in a storm, it is up to the four young fortune hunters to follow the clues and try to rescue their missing mother. But it is hard to know whom to trust when your allies are shady black-market dealers and spies and your enemies are ruthless pirates and dangerous surfer dudes. Luckily, the Kidd kids' assets include Storm's photographic memory, Tommy's calm disposition, Beck's hard-nosed negotiation skills and narrator Bick's optimism. But even the most sea-hearty adventurers might flounder when facing the Pirate King. Wacky hijinks, a can't-miss setting and quirky characters keep this breezy story afloat. A fast-moving plot, copious illustrations and short chapters will encourage even reluctant readers to test the waters. This new series promises it all: ruthless pirates, CIA spies, terrorists, stolen works of art and priceless treasure. More important, it delivers. A high-seas adventure that will entice even the most confirmed of landlubbers. (Adventure. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2013
Grades 4-6 Homeschooling takes on a whole new meaning when home is a sailing ship and you have the world's coolest parents. Not that it matters after your mom goes missing in Cyprus, and, a few months later, your dad (a renowned treasure hunter and oceanographer) disappears from your ship's deck during a fierce storm in the Caribbean. Along with their older brother and sister, twins Bick and Beck vow to carry on the family treasure-hunting business despite the dangers posed by a vicious rival and his minions, including modern-day pirates in sometimes ludicrous disguises. When not dealing with threats or searching for treasure, the kids wonder which seemingly helpful adults they can trust. Bick narrates the story, while Beck illustrates it. From kidnapping to underwater speargun fights, action is the name of the game here, bolstered by bits of comedy. Although the premise and plot are wholly unconvincing, the fast-paced, first-person narrative is entertaining. With 10 treasures (not to mention two parents) waiting to be discovered, it looks like a new series is on the horizon. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: It's a new series co-authored by the #1 New York Times best-selling Patterson. Get ready for demand-ho!(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)