Island of Thieves

Little did Tom Trelawney know that after accidentally burning down his family’s shed he would embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Tom’s parents are about to leave on a long-awaited vacation and send Tom to stay with Uncle Harvey. When Tom arrives, he discovers that Harvey is planning to leave him alone for the week while he journeys to Peru in search of a buried treasure, the clue to which was discovered on an old piece of paper in junk shop. Determined not to miss out on the adventure, Tom convinces his uncle to take him along. As soon as they land, they are confronted by an evil foe of Harvey’s and forced to flee for their lives. This action-packed, danger-filled, Indiana Jones-like tale continues across the Peru, from the high Andes to the coastal islands, as Tom and his uncle try to find the treasure and keep one step ahead of the bad guys. Josh Lacey’s story (Houghton Mifflin, 2012) is a bit disjointed at times, and the danger element is not for the faint of heart. However, Toby Longworth’s excellent narration, especially the accents he employs for the various characters, is enough to make up for the deficits of the story and keep even the most reluctant listeners on the edge of their seats.–Michaela Schied, Indian River Middle School, Philadelphia, NY