Treasure Hunters



Last updated Monday, January 10, 2022

Author: James Patterson
Date of Publication: 2013
ISBN: 031620756X
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2022

Synopsis: The Kidd siblings have grown up diving down to shipwrecks and traveling the world, helping their famous parents recover everything from swords to gold doubloons from the bottom of the ocean. But after their parents disappear on the job, the kids are suddenly thrust into the biggest treasure hunt of their lives. They'll have to work together to defeat dangerous pirates and dodge the hot pursuit of an evil treasure hunting rival, all while following cryptic clues to unravel the mystery of what really happened to their parents - and find out if they're still alive.

Note to readers:
•  This is the first book in a series by author James Patterson. He is also the author the Middle School Series, some volumes you have had in the Reading Club. This series centers on Kidd siblings, ages 12 to 17, who live aboard the sailing ship, The Lost. Their family business is treasure hunting. After a bad storm at sea, during which their father is swept overboard, they vote to “carry on the family business”.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Read the above paragraph.
•  These kids have lived their whole lives aboard the ship. Their parents are professional treasure hunters and have trained their children to do the same. They not only know how to sail the ship, they can also scuba dive, read charts, make repairs and know what is treasure and what is not. They are home schooled on the ship by their parents. (Reader: Show drawing of interior of The Lost on pages 52-53.)
•  Do you think this is something you would like to do … live aboard a ship most of the time and hunt for treasure? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages?
•  The name of their ship is The Lost. Why do you think their father named her that? Do you think it was a good idea or to you agree with Bick’s comment on page 19?

Vocabulary:

•  artifact: an object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historic interest.
•  “batten down the hatches”: in ship talk it means to secure all openings like portholes, cargo holds and other hatches and tie down or lock up anything that can move in preparation of bad weather or rough seas. Also used to as a reference when difficult times may be ahead.
•  Caribbean Sea: a body of water you will find it west of the Atlantic Ocean, south of Cuba and Haiti, east of Central America and north of the South American coast of Venezuela. In the past it was haven for pirates who would prey on sailing ships from Central America to Europe laden with trade goods and treasure.
•  crewing: to serve as a member of the workers on a ship or aircraft.
•  Cypress: island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea; off the coast of Lebanon and Israel.
•  orphan: a child who has lost both parents through death.
•  oceanographer: a person who has trained to study all aspects of the oceans and seas including terrain and all life forms.
•  navigating: to direct a ship or aircraft on its course.
•  Cayman Islands: a group of islands in the western Caribbean Sea; a territory of Great Britain.
•  GPS (Global Positioning System): an accurate worldwide navigational and surveying facility based on the reception of signals from an array of orbiting satellites. If you smart phone has GPS, it can give you map directions, point out places of interest near you, and locate you if you get lost with your phone.
•  tirade: a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken speech
•  triangulate: a method of establishing location by two or more points, usually on a triangle. Use to navigate a ship or plane or locate a specific point on land.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Now that you have heard some of the story, who do you feel about living aboard a ship and hunting for treasure? Does it change your mind or make you want to do it more?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a “Treasure Map”. Be as detailed as possible. Give specific landmarks, distances from place to place. Include clues to places to look for. Does not have to be on an island. Think of other stories or books where some “treasure” is being sought as in the Indian Jones movies or the Harry Potter series. Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/january-2022-mysteries-new-adventures/

Special activities:
•  Play the Word Search at https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/3160845/word-search-treasure-hunters/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!