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Treasure Hunters #1

Treasure Hunters

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life and I Funny comes a brilliantly original new adventure series, jam-packed with action, humor, and heart!

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 n 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.

452 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2013

981 people are currently reading
10523 people want to read

About the author

James Patterson

940 books354k followers
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

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5 stars
3,646 (46%)
4 stars
2,388 (30%)
3 stars
1,388 (17%)
2 stars
362 (4%)
1 star
112 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 888 reviews
Profile Image for Linda.
492 reviews55 followers
March 18, 2014
My 11 year old son loved this audio-book. I disliked it so much that I refused to listen to the rest of it. I told him that I would buy the book so that he can read it. I, initially, gave it one star, but to reflect my son's admiration for the book, I upped it to two.

To me, this book encapsulates everything I don't like about youth fiction. Patterson doesn't respect his audience. The characters are poorly written. The plot is ridiculous. The kids are sarcastic.

If you are a kid, judging by both my boy's reactions, you might like this book. If you are an adult, this might be like one of those really awful cartoon movies that you have to sit through.
Profile Image for Fleur Bradley.
Author 6 books219 followers
September 21, 2013
Treasure Hunters is a book written for kids, not adults--and that is something James Patterson is known for. The premise is a bit of a stretch, but only for us adults. I can see kids, especially those into all things pirate and treasure hunting, loving this book. The pacing is brisk, the writing tight, and there's plenty of character voice to make the story come to life.

A great book for your very reluctant middle-grade readers: it's fun, has illustrations, lots of dialogue--the pages turn quickly.
Profile Image for Liza Nahas.
503 reviews31 followers
September 24, 2013
Probably some 10 year old kid who hates reading might like this, but I couldn't wait for it to end. And why make fun of the overweight child? Ugh. My 1st & last Patterson. (Still love his website to get kids reading, just not this series!)
Profile Image for Angela.
80 reviews
February 18, 2015
This is a great book for kids and parents to read to each other. Written for a young audience, the book is still a fun read for grown-ups. And the chapter lengths are manageable for out loud reading sessions.

Thank you Mr. Patterson for books to keep young readers engaged so they can grow up to be adult readers!
Profile Image for Ieva.
1,289 reviews107 followers
October 27, 2021
Lieku vērtējumu pēc mērķauditorijas domām - man šo grāmatu burtiski uzspieda brāļameita, kura to esot pārlasījusi ļooooti daudz reizes. Pēdējā ciemošanās reizē viņa to izņēma no sava plaukta un ielika manās rokās. Tā kā uz jautājumu, ko tad, ja man nepatiks, man atbildēja, ka tad es būšot jocīga, tad saprotiet paši... Es taču nevaru atzīties, ka esmu veca tante, kura vairs neko nesaprot. Mērķauditorijai joki likās smieklīgi, nevis pārdozēti 100 reizes, nepaplašinātie teikumi mērķauditorijai tikai atvieglo un paātrina lasīšanas procesu un neprasījās nekāds dziļums (ar normālu pārdzīvošanu par pazudušiem vecākiem). Ar mērķauditoriju esmu vienisprātis, ka īpaša odziņa ir ilustrācijas. Saprotu, kāpēc tā tik ļoti patika mērķauditorijai un droši vien tas ir labi, ka bērnu grāmatas tiek rakstītas bērniem.
Profile Image for Chasty.
164 reviews14 followers
September 28, 2013
This was an awsome quick read for me. I bought it for my older son and just happened to start reading the book while I was waiting on his dad. Needless to say he now has his nose stuck in it. I love being able to share an author with my teenage son. I have yet to read a book by Mr. Patterson that I didn't love. Can't wait for book two :D
7 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2019
This is my second time reading it, and it was just as good, if not better. There were some key points that I understand more than the first time I read it. This is still a great book, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking adventure. The main idea was that sometimes you need to survive on your own. I know this because the book is about the children of a treasure hunter having to hunt treasure on their own.
Profile Image for Dawn Moore.
33 reviews
October 24, 2013
Whew, talk about a whirlwind story! I could not put this one down. James Patterson's characters were intriguing, funny and full of personality. I loved the twins Bick and Beck and their twin tirades. I can't wait to see if there is a second book in this series!!
Profile Image for Adam McGowan.
10 reviews2 followers
March 23, 2018
I liked how funny this book was almost every part of this book was funny. There were some parts what were slow but then right after it would be mad funny. The theme is to never give up
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mackenzie.
116 reviews
August 12, 2018
This book was a slow read for me. The storyline was quite choppy and the humour seemed a little forced at times, but I can see how a younger audience would find it entertaining.
Profile Image for SSS_10.
34 reviews
July 30, 2021
El principio es un poco aburrido, pero luego se vuelve muy emocionante y divertido.
36 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2022
It’s an amazing book, there’s adventures and other stuff. 4 kids 0 parents, what will they do?
Profile Image for Jackie .
207 reviews1 follower
October 23, 2013
What can I say about it. Kids losses their parents. They are not lost at sea. Recuse. Fight the bad guys. Get the treasure. Win Win Win. Read part of this book to my sixth grades. They are fighting to see who gets to read it first. I love when recommend a book to my students and fighting over it to read.
19 reviews
October 22, 2013
I really liked this book. It was fun to read. I can't wait until the next one comes out in this series.
Profile Image for Matt.
4,708 reviews13.1k followers
May 30, 2014
Choosing to dabble into a Patterson YA series, more to fill a little time than to compare it to some of his past works, I thought I would check out this new series. Opening the novel in an epic storm at sea, Patterson introduces the reader to four orphaned children whose father is presumed lost at sea in the aforementioned storm and whose mother is presumably being held captive in Cyprus. They must navigate their way to safety while they vow to discover the secrets left by their parents amongst various clues aboard the ship. Tapping into their treasure hunting abilities, they begin to unravel the mystery behind their mother's disappearance in hopes of saving her. Crossing paths with numerous obstacles, human and otherwise, Bick, Beck, Tommy, and Storm all come together to face adversity with their own special talents. Patterson uses his abilities to weave a story fit for teens that has potential to expand into a decent series aimed at this target audience.

I would be lying if I said the story was enthralling or deeply captivating. Hokey at times and plain silly at others, I have tried to peel back my preconceived notions as I am nowhere near the 10-12 year old target audience. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the Maximum Ride series and hoped this would parallel that experience. Still, the story moves well and is full of interesting facts perfect to pique the interest of a young reader.

Good work Mr. Patterson. I hope this series and some of your other YA ones do well for the younger fans and that you groom them for your powerful adult series.
3 reviews
April 11, 2014
It was AMAZING! It was not as action packed as Maximum Ride or some of the other series but still a great book. I love this book because, even though a little sad, it's cool that the family works together. Funny moments and funny characters and turns out a little differently than I expected.

*********SPOILER ALERT*************************************************
Just wanted to say that thier parents are CIA agents and there are lots and lots of surfer pirates.
***********************************************************************

It has cool mini adventures and has a good story line. If you can get ahold of this book it's a must read.
Profile Image for John Carron.
14 reviews1 follower
December 13, 2016
This book was really good but it was somewhat of a quick read. The book is about four kids and their mother is captured and there father disappeared. The only way they can get they Mother back is by locating a lost treasure. The four kids name's are Bick, Beck, Storm, and Tommy. Bick and Beck are twin and always get into fights called "twin tirade." Storm has a photographic memory so she remembers everything she sees or reads. Tommy is the oldest of the four and is the captain of the ship in their fathers absence, He likes to flirt with every girl he sees. My favorite part of the book is when the find the Grecian Urn from Ms. Macy-Hudson.
Profile Image for LenLen.
164 reviews
October 11, 2013
My ten year old couldn't put this book down, which makes me excited to see. Love it when children can relate to the characters and be excited for the adventures they can accomplish in life.

Just a little side story:

It was really cold one night in my home, so I went into my sons room to make sure he was warm under the covers. I adjusted him and covered him, and I know I heard him say Treasure Hunters. I thought it was funny that he was actually dreaming about the book.
Profile Image for Wendy.
367 reviews9 followers
September 13, 2013
A pleasant surprise from speed writer Patterson. Four siblings and their parents live on a boat searching the world for buried treasure. Things happen, including Ninja pirates and secret agents, but it held my interest to the end. Lots of illustrations for those reluctant readers and each sibling will appeal to a different type of child.
Author 1 book68 followers
November 11, 2020

What a great book. I loved it. I picked up this book because my grandson, Maddox, is reading these books for school. I can have something in common with him, and be able to talk about the book. Great adventures.
2 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2016
I like James Patterson as an author and these books make him more awesome in my oppinion so read all of his books.
26 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2017
This book is just great. It isn't bad . It isn't okay. But it isn't awesome. It's just great. I've read this a couple times. But this book was the only book in my house I could deal with reading
Profile Image for Sophia Ewing.
31 reviews
May 10, 2019
One of his best books besides Witch And Wizard. funny with a little bit of history perfect for a trip on a boat or car or ect...
Profile Image for Donna.
1,626 reviews32 followers
June 13, 2019
I thought this was a fun book. It was cheesy and full of adventure. Definitely a great book for middle school kids. There is so much action in the book that you can't help but just enjoy the ride.
Profile Image for Daryen S..
8 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2019
I think that a possible theme would be that I would of got a life jacket. the kids are just on the boat alone because their parents fell off the boat during a strong storm. Also the kids were stuck on the boat because the boat flooded and some of the kids were traped in a room full of water. one of the kids started to find them but he could not tell where the voice was coming from.
Profile Image for Chantal.
1,210 reviews179 followers
March 4, 2023
This is really a book for kids. I got bored really fast even though I wanted to like it. Easy to read and the drawings are nice.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,704 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2019
I wasn't necessarily the target audience for this book, but I could imagine that if I were a young kid, I'd be all over it, much like my young son with whom I read this in tandem. I look forward to reading the next one along with him. Mr Grabenstein and Mr Patterson have done it again. Thanks!

Some things I liked a lot:

The story shows the resiliency of children facing hard things; how they had to use team work and problem solving skills, and that each member was an important part of the solution.

It was an easy read, perfect for struggling readers who need a confidence boost by reading a thick book. It would also be good for younger advanced readers. The chapters were short, so kids with a short attention span have an easier time reading "just one more chapter." It becomes hard for them to put it down. It's a total kid-page-turner.

The illustrations were fun.

The story was a fast paced, unbelievable adventure. (We all have to suspend belief to some degree. This is also true with the distant way the four kids faced the deaths/disappearances of their parents. This story isn't meant to be realistic, and neither is their reaction to the loss of their father (and the allusions to the loss of their mother).) There is just enough action and excitement to keep a younger reader engaged and also entertained. Additionally, the authors do not keep readers in suspense too long. When a precarious situation occurs, it is resolved within a few pages (with the exception of the disappearance of the parents, which is essentially a plot device to put the children in a situation where they are on their own).

The story is told in a child's voice.

The illustrations reflect the younger sister's personality.
3 reviews
October 28, 2020


Treasure Hunters

Have you ever thought about living on a boat with just your siblings? Well this is a take on it by James Patterson, this book is about Bick and Beck two twins and they’re two older siblings who are on a mission to save their mom and dad from pirates. They travel across the Caribbean looking for their parent's money they saved for them, trying to find a missing piece for an artifact, and getting chased down by pirates overall there is a ton of action in this book. One thing I liked about this book is the fact that there is never a time when they thought about giving up on their parent's treasure hunting adventures, and one thing I disliked about it was the fact that it is a long book and it takes a while to finish it. I would recommend this book to someone who likes a lot of action and doesn't get bored reading a long book. I would rate this book 4.5 stars out of five because it keeps a steady theme and has a lot of detail.

Displaying 1 - 30 of 888 reviews

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