The Last Treasure [Hardcover]

Janet Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

From the author of Going Through the Gate, here is an extraordinary work of the imagination, a puzzle mystery book in which the prize is the redemption of a family.

Thirteen-year-old Ellsworth Smith belongs to a family of two-it's just him and his dad, always on the move. This is okay with Ellsworth until the dreams come, the dreams of houses surrounding a beautiful green square. Then a letter arrives, inviting Ellsworth to a home he doesn't remember. He is needed there because the square is real, and hidden within it is a treasure that only a child can uncover-the last treasure of John Matthew Smith, the family's eccentric patriarch. But there are other things hidden in the square, too-old sorrows and pain. Ellsworth's return stirs up these "ghosts," and finding the treasure may be the only way to give them rest.

With the "power and poetry, mystery and magic" that Kirkus Reviews found in her first novel, Janet S. Anderson takes us on a memorable treasure hunt of the mind and heart.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-Since his death in 1881, the spirit of John Matthew Smith, once a wealthy patriarch, has been taking an annual walk around the Square of homes he built for his large family. He has whipped up whirlwinds, even downing an oak, in an effort to get his many descendants to patch up quarrels, reunite, and introduce the youngest branches of the family tree to one another. He had hidden three treasures, two of which were found by the family when desperately needed. Now it is time for the youngest relatives to find the third. Sending dreams to two Smith teens who have never met, he ensures their return to Smiths Mills. Facing a counterpane of mystery, mechanically minded Ellsworth and angry Jess must join forces to figure out the family dynamics and the meaning of the treasure clues. Anderson excels in her realization of the detailed setting, which is absolutely necessary for the success of the plot. In Ellsworth, she has created a fully rounded and appealing character who has never been told why his father cut off all ties with his relatives years earlier. With a touch of the family eccentricity of The Monkey Tree (Dutton, 1998) and a bit of the fantasy of Going through the Gate (Puffin, 2000), Anderson has conjured up a fascinating read for puzzle lovers while sandwiching in an important message about intergenerational relationships.
Cindy Darling Codell, Clark Middle School, Winchester, KY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-7. Although this perceptive tale of two teenagers helping to reunite a family lacks the brilliant fantasy elements of Anderson's Going through the Gate (1997), it serves up full measures of atmosphere, mystery, and sensitive characterization. Following a pleading letter from a Quaker aunt he's never met, Ellsworth Smith braves his father's displeasure to visit the rest of his clan and see the 10 houses that a wealthy nineteenth-century ancestor, John Matthew Smith, built for his children. Only seven of the houses were ever occupied; in the other three, John Matthew hid "treasures" intended to help future generations in hard times. Two of the treasures have been found, and now, in the face of old tragedies and longstanding family disputes, it's time to find the third. Stirring in a dash of the supernatural and sometimes eerie parallels between present and past, Anderson sends Ellsworth and a troubled cousin in search of the treasure's location, then expertly uses setting details (including weather) to draw the quest to a suspenseful climax. In the end, the entire family joins the hunt, and in working together they discover not only a hoard of silver but also precious treasure in one another. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (April 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525469192
• ISBN-13: 978-0525469193
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,804,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Treasure, March 4, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Last Treasure (Paperback)

The Last Treasure, by Janet S. Anderson, is a mystery about the Smith family. The Smith family has been in Smith Mills, New York for 150 years. This exciting adventure is Janet S. Anderson's third book for kids, and was a good candidate for the 2004 Newbery Award.

Ellsworth Smith is thirteen and lives with his father. On Ellsworth's birthday, he gets a letter from a distant cousin inviting him to stay with her for the summer. He really wants to go, but he isn't sure why. When he goes to the square with ten houses built by his great, great, great, great grandfather, Ellsworth learns a lot about the Smith family members, both living and dead. He and Jess, his cousin, have to solve the puzzle of the last treasure house on the square in order to keep the family together.

The author uses journal entries to tell the story of the Smith family from long ago. She also uses flashbacks in time. It is a little confusing to follow, but still really exciting. And the ending makes you feel good about the Smith family and your own. I think you will like this book and the message it has about families.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At Last the Third is Fond, February 9, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Last Treasure (Hardcover)

The ghost of John Smith, was a wealthy patriarch, has been taking a yearly walk around the Square of homes he built for his large family. He had hidden three treasures, two of which were found by the family when desperately needed. Now it is time for the youngest relatives to find the third. Sending dreams to two Smith teens who have never met, he promises their return to Smiths Mills. Facing a counterpane of mystery, mechanically minded Ellsworth and angry Jess must join forces to figure out the family dynamics and the meaning of the treasure clues. In Ellsworth, she has created a fully rounded and appealing character that has never been told why his father cut off all ties with his relatives years earlier. With a touch of the family's happiness of The Monkey Tree and a bit of the fake Going through the Gate Anderson has made up an awesome book for puzzle lovers.
This book was great, it took ½ the book to get intrusting but well worth it! Ellsworth is the brains behind the adventure and was just waiting for a opportunity like this, Jess on the other hand was my favorite character, because Jess was a tough kid who was just pushy and a never say never type of person.
For all the mystery lovers out there, this is the book for you. I ratted it 5 out of 5 stars and I'm not much of a reader. I mean, I read only for and when I HAVE TO for school. Now, if you're like me this for shore won't make you read but it is a good book and if you're willing enjoy its twists and turns! What are you still doing here go get this book, come on get out of here! :)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A third home run for Janet Anderson, June 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Treasure (Hardcover)

This is Janet Anderson's third children's novel, and it contains the same sort of thought-provoking depth as her first two (GOING THROUGH THE GATE and THE MONKEY TREE). On the surface, this is a fast-paced, suspenseful read about the Smith family and the "treasure" that is hidden inside an old brick house. Intriguing flashbacks serve to hold our interest as we venture into this house and try to find the treasure.

However, this book is more than just a treasure hunt, and buried along with the treasure is the story of one boy and his outlook on the world. Ellsworth Smith is one of the most convincing characters I have read in a long time, but he's not the only one - all of Anderson's characters are brought to life with a unique and interesting style of dialogue. In the end, this story delivers a message about family, especially through the relationship between Ellsworth, his father, and his grandfather - the message, however, is never heavy-handed. Anderson's prose is amazingly vivid and poetic, and the story is one of her best yet. The book itself is a hidden treasure waiting to be found.