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14 Day Mysteries #2
Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting
This companion to the Edgar Award nominee MOXIE AND THE ART OF RULE BREAKING, which SLJ called “a breathless thrill ride,” features hidden pirate treasure and a high-stakes game of tag – just what you’d expect from summer camp!
While at Wilderness camp on the Boston Harbor Islands, Ollie must navigate new friends, new enemies, and a high-stakes game of tag, so the last thing he needs is a mystery. But then Ollie meets Grey, an elusive girl with knowledge of the island’s secrets, including the legend of a lost pirate treasure, which may not be a legend after all.
The sidekick steps into the spotlight as Ollie uses his wits and geocaching skills to keep long-lost treasure out of the wrong hands in this exciting adventure-mystery from fan-favorite middle grade author Erin Dionne.
While at Wilderness camp on the Boston Harbor Islands, Ollie must navigate new friends, new enemies, and a high-stakes game of tag, so the last thing he needs is a mystery. But then Ollie meets Grey, an elusive girl with knowledge of the island’s secrets, including the legend of a lost pirate treasure, which may not be a legend after all.
The sidekick steps into the spotlight as Ollie uses his wits and geocaching skills to keep long-lost treasure out of the wrong hands in this exciting adventure-mystery from fan-favorite middle grade author Erin Dionne.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2014
4 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Erin Dionne
22 books338 followersI write books for tweens, teens, and anyone who survived junior high.
Please note: I have changed my review policy. I'll no longer be using the star rating system--I'm an author, not a reviewer or editor, and I'd rather support other authors by not ranking their books. I write honest (brief) reviews for each book I read, so please look to those to find out what I loved.
Please note: I have changed my review policy. I'll no longer be using the star rating system--I'm an author, not a reviewer or editor, and I'd rather support other authors by not ranking their books. I write honest (brief) reviews for each book I read, so please look to those to find out what I loved.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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June 1, 2021Loved it! By far one of my favorite treasure hunting books 10/10
July 3, 2021
<33333
January 27, 2015
{originally posted on my blog: Ciao Bella}
I have liked, and more often than not, LOVED, Erin Dionne’s middle grade novels. From relatable characters to entertaining and well-paced story lines, her books are ones I can always count on to make me smile. And so, I was super-duper excited to get an early look at Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting, the companion novel to another outstanding mystery, Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking. Ollie was one of my favorite parts in Moxie’s adventures, and I found reading about his own experiences just as enjoyable. Erin Dionne’s great novel streak continues!
After Ollie and his best friend, Moxie, solved the mystery of the great Isabella Stewart Gardner heist, their lives turned upside down. To escape the media frenzy, the FBI and his parents thought it would be best to send Ollie off to camp, and that’s when the adventure begins. Despite the craziness he had just endured, you would think that Ollie would lie low, right!? However, when one park ranger requests his help in looking for pirate treasure, he finds the offer tough to turn down. Mysteries being some of my favorite books to read, I tend to be tougher on the story development. Thankfully, the author had near all of it down. The only point where I was a bit puzzled at the flow of the story was at the very end. While I understood the motives of the characters present, I had a hard time believing that the actions would unfold in such a way – and at such quick of a pace!
Erin Dionne’s past books have all featured girls as the protagonists, so I was bit curious {and a tad concerned} to see how her ability would translate with Ollie as the main character. On top of that, there were very few girls involved in this mystery; Grey was the only one with a semi-prominent role. Thankfully, my initial worries quickly went away. Ollie was developed and demonstrated growth from beginning to end. I personally thought he gained more confidence, and as a reader who appreciates unlikely heroes, I liked that he had his quirks! Even better? You can add this story to your list of examples of diversity in middle grade. I was happy to see that this aspect didn’t make Ollie who he was – in other words, it was never overwhelming, just a supplementing detail!
Dionne also nailed developing an atmosphere of an all-boys camp. I won’t lie and say that I liked all of the campers {I rolled my eyes more than once at some of their antics}, but I can’t deny their perfect development as supporting characters. My favorite was Chris, with his note-worthy dialogue and sidekick qualities. Could he get a companion novel too? :)
Overall, I have no problems recommending both stories involving Moxie and Ollie. Mystery lovers, males and females will adore this one, as will any Erin Dionne fan!
I have liked, and more often than not, LOVED, Erin Dionne’s middle grade novels. From relatable characters to entertaining and well-paced story lines, her books are ones I can always count on to make me smile. And so, I was super-duper excited to get an early look at Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting, the companion novel to another outstanding mystery, Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking. Ollie was one of my favorite parts in Moxie’s adventures, and I found reading about his own experiences just as enjoyable. Erin Dionne’s great novel streak continues!
After Ollie and his best friend, Moxie, solved the mystery of the great Isabella Stewart Gardner heist, their lives turned upside down. To escape the media frenzy, the FBI and his parents thought it would be best to send Ollie off to camp, and that’s when the adventure begins. Despite the craziness he had just endured, you would think that Ollie would lie low, right!? However, when one park ranger requests his help in looking for pirate treasure, he finds the offer tough to turn down. Mysteries being some of my favorite books to read, I tend to be tougher on the story development. Thankfully, the author had near all of it down. The only point where I was a bit puzzled at the flow of the story was at the very end. While I understood the motives of the characters present, I had a hard time believing that the actions would unfold in such a way – and at such quick of a pace!
Erin Dionne’s past books have all featured girls as the protagonists, so I was bit curious {and a tad concerned} to see how her ability would translate with Ollie as the main character. On top of that, there were very few girls involved in this mystery; Grey was the only one with a semi-prominent role. Thankfully, my initial worries quickly went away. Ollie was developed and demonstrated growth from beginning to end. I personally thought he gained more confidence, and as a reader who appreciates unlikely heroes, I liked that he had his quirks! Even better? You can add this story to your list of examples of diversity in middle grade. I was happy to see that this aspect didn’t make Ollie who he was – in other words, it was never overwhelming, just a supplementing detail!
Dionne also nailed developing an atmosphere of an all-boys camp. I won’t lie and say that I liked all of the campers {I rolled my eyes more than once at some of their antics}, but I can’t deny their perfect development as supporting characters. My favorite was Chris, with his note-worthy dialogue and sidekick qualities. Could he get a companion novel too? :)
Overall, I have no problems recommending both stories involving Moxie and Ollie. Mystery lovers, males and females will adore this one, as will any Erin Dionne fan!
September 2, 2014
Ollie still wasn’t adapted to his new-found fame in the last adventure he was in (Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking – Dial 2013). The reporters that watched his front door still bothered his family (well, who wouldn’t be bothered by that?). Ollie understood why they were there – they wanted to learn all about the mystery that he and his best friend Moxie had solved earlier (he and his friend Moxie found 500 million dollars worth of stolen art) – but Ollie thought that they were too insistent. Ollie, being a Boy Scout, was going to go to the Boston Harbor Islands. But, instead of going with Troop 5 – like normal – Ollie was going to be with Troop 7 as a provo member, to get away from the paparazzi, and to let the FBI agents finish doing their “jobs”. Ollie thought it’d just be another scout camping trip, but Ollie soon found himself in the middle of a treasure hunt for a pirate’s treasure and all is not what it seems.
Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting is the second book in the “A 14-Day Mystery” series (I did not read the first book). This was a fun book. I really like the character of Ollie. He seems like a real kid, which makes him believable. I found it hilarious that Ollie describes himself as looking suspiciously like “the kid in that animated movie about the old guy who floats his house away with a zillion balloons”. I really liked the geocaching and orienteering brought into the story (they are both really fun activities that you should try if you haven’t). It went along with the treasure hunting plot in the story well. The mystery and plot were a little predictable at times, but it was still an enjoyable story. The publisher has the book for ages 10+ but I think it is appropriate for younger kids too. I think boys and girls will enjoy this fun read.
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting is the second book in the “A 14-Day Mystery” series (I did not read the first book). This was a fun book. I really like the character of Ollie. He seems like a real kid, which makes him believable. I found it hilarious that Ollie describes himself as looking suspiciously like “the kid in that animated movie about the old guy who floats his house away with a zillion balloons”. I really liked the geocaching and orienteering brought into the story (they are both really fun activities that you should try if you haven’t). It went along with the treasure hunting plot in the story well. The mystery and plot were a little predictable at times, but it was still an enjoyable story. The publisher has the book for ages 10+ but I think it is appropriate for younger kids too. I think boys and girls will enjoy this fun read.
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
November 17, 2014
This is the follow up to Moxie and Art of Rule Breaking. Ollie's family is swamped by all the media attention and decides to send him away to camp until things die down. Ollie becomes a probationary member of a scout troop and heads to Wilderness Camp on one of the Harbor Islands outside Boston. He doesn't know any of the guys in his new troop but quickly becomes friends with Chris, a talkative but likeable guy. He also makes an enemy of troop leader Derek. On the island they meet Ranger Johnson who is obsessed with the possibility of pirate treasure on the island. He enlists Ollie's help in finding it, but Ollie is not sure he can trust Ranger Johnson. Johnson's daughter Gray is also looking for the treasure and Ollie isn't sure he can trust her either.
Ollie was the side-kick in Moxie's story, but the star of this one. I like that he got to branch out on his own and come into his strength. He is smart and pretty creative. I thought the scout troup was pretty realistic. They play together and work together but there are also rivalries involved. I thought Ranger Johnson was a pretty creepy villain of the story. You knew all along there was something shady about him, but just weren't sure what it was. I kind of wish there had been more development in the Ranger Johnson and Gray characters. It would have made it a little easier to care about them and their situation. This was a fun mystery that was again based on real historical events and places.
Ollie was the side-kick in Moxie's story, but the star of this one. I like that he got to branch out on his own and come into his strength. He is smart and pretty creative. I thought the scout troup was pretty realistic. They play together and work together but there are also rivalries involved. I thought Ranger Johnson was a pretty creepy villain of the story. You knew all along there was something shady about him, but just weren't sure what it was. I kind of wish there had been more development in the Ranger Johnson and Gray characters. It would have made it a little easier to care about them and their situation. This was a fun mystery that was again based on real historical events and places.
July 10, 2014
I really thoroughly enjoyed Moxie and the Art of Rulebreaking, in part because it took place in the Boston area, in part because it was about one of my favorite art heists, the Isabella Gardner Museum heist. Moxie's sidekick, Ollie, got his own book in what's billed as a companion but is actually a sequel.
The good news is that there's a lot of fun to be had here. It takes place on the Boston outer islands on a scouting getaway, and involves pirate treasure rumored to be buried on the islands. The story is about both of those things, so it balances pretty well. Unfortunately, Ollie isn't as great a character, and the bad guys are a little more stereotypical than your standard read. It means the book isn't bad, it's just not nearly as good as what it's following up.
Still pretty recommended, but definitely read Moxie first.
The good news is that there's a lot of fun to be had here. It takes place on the Boston outer islands on a scouting getaway, and involves pirate treasure rumored to be buried on the islands. The story is about both of those things, so it balances pretty well. Unfortunately, Ollie isn't as great a character, and the bad guys are a little more stereotypical than your standard read. It means the book isn't bad, it's just not nearly as good as what it's following up.
Still pretty recommended, but definitely read Moxie first.
October 8, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It's been on my radar for a while as a book that deals with one of my hobbies: geocaching. it's also intended for the right age group for this year' I'm teaching 6th grade.
I like Ollie. His asthma occurs with stress so being in an adventure is even more risky than usual for him. He's not perfect but he is spunky and I like spunky.
I also like that the mysteries in this series are intended to be solved (by the characters) in two weeks. It allows for lots of action without too much introspection.
This was a fun read. I look forward to putting it on my classroom shelves.
I like Ollie. His asthma occurs with stress so being in an adventure is even more risky than usual for him. He's not perfect but he is spunky and I like spunky.
I also like that the mysteries in this series are intended to be solved (by the characters) in two weeks. It allows for lots of action without too much introspection.
This was a fun read. I look forward to putting it on my classroom shelves.
October 26, 2014
A fun, modern-day mystery with a geocaching hook. A kid goes to a wilderness camp for two weeks. Camp legend says there is a pirate's treasure buried in the vicinity. The campers (ages 13-17) romp through camp pranks, nighttime sneaking, treasure hunting and a real life-and-death mystery, all of which intertwine brilliantly. I didn't read the first in the series (Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking) but the author included enough back story that it wasn't a problem. Perfect balance of fun, suspense and puzzle-solving.
January 26, 2015
Another fun romp as Ollie uses his geocaching skills at a wilderness camp in the Boston Harbor Islands. Male and female readers will identify with a smart kid who has to lay low after solving a huge mystery, and must navigate the complications of new friends, possible enemies, and buried treasure. As usual, Dionne brings Ollie and his adventures to life with great humor and heart.
October 11, 2014
The ending wouldn't have been so bad if my house wasn't currently freezing just like the book... I wished it was totally appropriate/clean, though there wasn't anyoutright curse words, etc. Just descriptions that surprised me a little. 3 and 1/2 Stars
August 25, 2014
A fun adventure for all to enjoy.
September 10, 2014
Loved the ending!
February 14, 2015
Great mystery and adventure. Authentic "kid" voice.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews