  | Ollie and the science of treasure hunting : a 14-day mystery Author: Dionne, Erin | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
While spending two weeks at Wilderness Camp on the Boston Harbor Islands, thirteen-year-old Ollie, short, half Vietnamese, asthmatic, and overweight, must find and protect hidden pirate treasure from those who would steal it for themselves.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.70 Points: 9.0 Quiz: 169249 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (05/15/14)
School Library Journal (06/01/14)
Booklist (05/01/14)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 05/01/2014 Ollie is hoping for some anonymity at wilderness camp after his hectic art recovery mission with his best friend in Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking (2013). Unfortunately for him, his sleuthing skills precede him, and he unwittingly finds himself lured into a hunt for lost pirate treasure. Nothing could be worse for asthmatic Ollie than the island environment, replete with humidity, heat, sand, and speedboat chases. But Ollie stoically turns challenges into opportunities that he cannot resist. Bolstered by the knowledge that his FBI-agent friend is just a phone call away, Ollie and a selection of allies shrug off the potential danger, determined to find the treasure. A cast of likable campers, each with his or her own quirks—midnight swimmer, sensitive to sun, cartography genius—drive this fast-paced adventure led by a camp ranger with a gambling problem. Nothing should surprise readers in this thoroughly satisfying tale of friendship, intrigue, and Boston Harbor Island topography. - Copyright 2014 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 06/01/2014 Gr 4–6—Meet Ollie, a chubby asthmatic who is anything but athletic yet holds a talent for geocaching and getting into trouble. After helping his friend uncover valuable art, Ollie is strongly advised by the FBI to keep a low profile. Yet secrets, diamonds, and a shifty Park Ranger all play a role in Ollie's two-week "quiet" escape at Wilderness Scout camp. Initially, Ollie's outing is filled with merit badge activities and befriending his fellow scouts. The trouble really begins when Ranger Johnson asks Ollie to help him uncover pirate Long Ben Avery's long lost treasure. Dionne's novel pushes the classic adventure story into the 21st-century. While the plot initially develops slowly, the short chapters alternate between activities in Ollie's days, focusing on clues and people of interest. Environmental description paired with traditional scouting events keep readers immersed in the Boston Harbor Islands with Troop Seven. At times, the many secondary characters are difficult to keep track of, yet Ollie's quirky tent mates are authentic and memorable. Tween readers will cheer on the atypical protagonist as he outwits bullies, uncovers pirate booty, and ultimately grows into a leader among his peers. A solid scouting adventure for fans of realistic fiction.—Mary-Brook J. Townsend, The McGillis School, Salt Lake City, UT - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
