Smells Like Treasure

April 1, 2011

It has been three months since Homer Winslow Pudding (Smells Like Dog, 2010) discovered the meaning of the initials L.O.S.T. and learned the truth about his treasure-sniffing pooch Dog. Homer and Dog are off on another adventure when the boy receives a letter that says, "Your time has come." The vague message could only mean one thing: that finally the secret society of L.O.S.T. (Legends, Objects, Secrets, and Treasures) is offering Homer the chance to take the seat of his beloved treasure-hunting uncle, Drake Pudding, and become a professional treasure hunter. Familiar characters make an appearance, including the giant Zelda and pink-haired Lorelei, who challenges Homer for Drake's chair. Lorelei and Homer are given a challenge that, if Homer loses, will change the course of his life forever. The author weaves in enough details of the earlier book to refresh readers' memories in this droll, satisfying sequel. The suspense of the challenge—will Homer's knowledge of maps and treasure hunting enable him to best Lorelei?—will keep readers turning the pages. The truth about the great treasure hunter Rumpold Smeller, whose treasure Uncle Drake spent his life looking for, is revealed in alternating chapters. There is plenty of rip-roaring fun here; fans will applaud Homer and Dog's return. (Adventure. 8-12)

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Starred review from September 1, 2011
Gr 4–7—-Homer Winslow Pudding, nephew of the late, great treasure hunter Drake Pudding, received upon his uncle's untimely demise a basset hound named Dog and a gold membership coin for L.O.S.T. (the Society of Legends, Objects, Secrets, and Treasures). When a letter from this clandestine organization arrives, stating simply, "Your time has come," Homer can't wait to get started. He hopes that L.O.S.T. will help finance his search for the booty of legendary pirate Rumpold Smeller, and Dog will get to use his secret skill-sniffing out treasure (the only thing he can, in fact, smell). Unfortunately, attempting to take his place in L.O.S.T. turns out to be more difficult than Homer imagined. His one-time friend, Lorelei, stole the membership coin in "Smells Like Dog" (Little, Brown, 2010) and now she's back, claiming that Drake actually bequeathed it to her. The two must compete for the seat, and what follows is a funny, suspenseful adventure that stretches the borders of readers' imaginations. A heartwarming and quirky cast of characters adds to the fun. Rumpold Smeller's tale is woven throughout Homer's, a story-within-a-story with its own delightful surprise ending. Homer and Dog are a strange, silly, and lovable duo.—"Mandy Lawrence, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX"

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2011
Grades 4-7 After Homer Winslow Pudding receives an invitation from the secret society of Legends, Objects, Secrets, and Treasures (LOST) to occupy his recently deceased uncle Drakes vacant chair in this sequel to Smells like Dog (2010), the 12-year-old and his basset hound, Dog (who has a keen sense for sniffing out treasure but nothing else), skip the local county fair to meet with the worlds most elite treasure hunters. When Lorelei, Homers nemesis turned friend turned nemesis, reappears to challenge Homers stake in LOST, the young treasure hunters must compete to find Uncle Drakes membership coin, using clues from the greatest mapmaker ever. Periodically interrupting their search is background information on Rumpold Smeller, the once future Duke of Estonia who turned to piracy and whose lost treasure remains the holy grail for treasure hunters. As in the first novel, quirky side characters and over-the-top humor hold reader interest even during slow points. Unfulfilled discoveries leave the scent of another sequel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)