I might have enjoyed it more had I read the epilogue first, which explains the author’s inspiration for this book. But that’s the perspective of an adult reading a middle grade book! For this adult, I find the characters in all of her books seem the same. I like that she lives in Suffolk and I learned that there is a Young Archaeologists club in the UK.

When I was a little girl, I love to go and find treasures too like having fun with treasure hunt or scavenger hunt to see what we can find. And this story is about Ruth helping a boy name, Joe and his family to save his family's farm. Her mother volunteer in the museum and she is seeking out old treasures to put up in the museum for people to see and so Ruth picked up a call about treasures in the farm (which she was not supposed to and she even afraid to tell the person in charge of the museum) so her mum and her decided to go and investigate and it turns out as an adventure too because they was somebody trying to steal the treasures and they will have to find the culprit. It was a fun read and I can't spoil too much haha... read it if you want to know what happen.

I just love everything A.M. Howell writes, and this book was no exception. From the very first page I was hooked, and I was transported into this book. I can highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction!

I just love the way Howell writes.

It's so wholesome.

This story, much like her others, is fast paced and engaging.

The historical element is always welcome as I find this teaches children things that they perhaps wouldn't have been aware of about post war times.

And I particularly liked the use of archaeology - what a brilliant career to get into!

There are plenty of themes covered within this tale including The themes monetary problems, family issues, divorce and parental death. All of which are done with great care but I think if you are wanting your child to read this it is best to be aware of these things before proceeding.

Great settings that I could imagine in my head clearly and detailed character development really make this book what it is. I have a real soft spot for Ruth, a brave and determined protagonist, who would make a great idol for younger readers.

Over all The Secret of the Treasure Keepers is a real treasure of a book (see what I did there). An exciting adventure that is heart-warming and thoughtful,

4 Stars

One Liner: Heavy but heartwarming

Feb 1948

The world still hasn’t recovered from the Second World War. Ruth and her mom are doing their best to find a living despite the hard times. Being an archeologist with no degree means it’s even hard for Ruth’s mom to get the job she wants. When a chance incident at Mr. Knight’s office takes them to Rook Farm, the duo is excited and hopeful for a better future.

Joe works hard on the farm to help his sick mom, Mary, and their farm girl, Audrey. He doesn’t like Ruth and her mom poking their nose around the farm. So what if there might be some treasure that could help them? He has kept too many secrets and is dealing with the burden alone.

Joe and Ruth come to a truce as Ruth decides to help his family. However, things go wrong when the treasure is stolen, a snowstorm is brewing, and time is running out. Can Ruth and Joe save the day through sheer determination (and maybe some luck)? Will Joe’s farm be saved? Can Audrey and her fiancé Terry, have a happy life together? Can Ruth’s mom get the job of her dreams?

My Observations:

• The book is 336 pages long but is fast-paced. The writing is easy and suitable for middle-graders, making the flow even better for adults.
• The themes of war, post-war, monetary problems, family issues, PSTD, divorce, parental death, etc., should’ve been overwhelming in the same book. Yet, they blend together in the setting. The book is a heavy read though still suitable for the target audience.
• The moral lessons are seamlessly woven into the story. They also create a sense of safety for Joe and Ruth. It may seem like an easy route for adults. However, the developments felt right as the book was already dealing with painful topics.
• Ruth is a little sweetheart with a kind heart and a good brain. She is eager to help Joe’s family and find a way to solve everyone’s problems. She also has no trouble accepting when she makes a mistake.
• Joe starts out as a grumpy teen, but we soon see the reason for his behavior. The character arc of both kids seems realistic, though I like Ruth the best.
• The book naturally has a happy ending, but it doesn’t feel abrupt. The book’s purpose is to reach the end through a series of adventures.
• The story has a picturesque quality to it. I could imagine each scene easily and feel that the book would look better on screen. I’d love to watch the screen adaptation of this one.

To sum up, The Secret of the Treasure Keepers is a heartwarming story that deals with some heavy topics. It’s fast-paced, heartfelt, and hopeful.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Usborne Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.

#NetGalley #SecretoftheTreasureKeepers