I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Disclosure here.
Reading age
10+
Genre
Realistic fiction
Publisher
Quill Tree Books
Publication date
October 3, 2023
A boy was entrusted with a map that could lead to a treasure beyond his wildest dreams.
Zane, a teenage boy, had a most unusual day. One of the tenants, Captain Maddie (a pirate), had assigned him to a treasure hunt and soon died of a stroke. Upon hearing this, Zane sets out on an adventure to find the treasure with his two best friends, Kiko and Jack, and his beloved dog, Hip-Hop. But their adventure is not without its challenges; a gang of so-called pirates races against them for the treasure, and a mysterious ally named John helps them, but his help sparks a bit of mistrust. Will they succeed?
This is my second book from the same author. I read Paradise on Fire, which was very good, but this one is even better: A creative, fast-paced treasure hunt in the City of New York with History! I was thrilled!
This book discusses Black American history in Manhattan, the legendary New York oyster king, Thomas Downing, the historical Wall Street, the slave trade, the Underground Railroad, etc.
Did you know how Wall Street got its name?
There were also references to skateboarding (You have a Zane’s Skateboarding Trick Glossary at the end; how cool is that?) and pirates throughout the book. It also mentioned child abuse (Jack is often hit by his dad).
Zane is a curious and determined character. He cares a lot about his friends and Hip-Hop. Kiko is a spunky girl, and she was my favorite. Jack is a bit of a tragic character. Hip-Hop is the best dog you can ask for (I love its name). John is sneaky but a history buff.
Give this book to people who are fearless about going on adventures and delving more into New York history.
My rating
