Painting Pictures…

We all know that an artist uses clay, or paints, or other media to make lovely works of art. Some artists use words to paint pictures in the mind where they will dwell forever. The Mysterious Treasure of Jerry Lee Thorton is such a lovely work of art. Mike Thomas paints beautiful pictures of the south that evoke memories of childhood - regardless of where you grew up. Each paragraph tells a little story of its own as you read through this delightful tale of adventure and discovery. You can almost taste the southern cooking, smell the wisteria, and see the muddy river rolling by as you embark on a wonderful adventure of true friends.

The characterizations of the three friends also paint a nostalgic picture of someone we remember from our own past. Luke McAllister, RaeNell Stephens, and Farley Midkiff use “the summer to end all summers” to search for a Civil War treasure that no one else can seem to find. They look with the determination, and excitement, that only twelve-year-olds can bring to such an undertaking.

The lifelong buddies also stumble up on something they had not realized before. They manage to find each other, and in the process, they find the extreme importance of friends in this world.

Each chapter is a little tableau of the things that are important in life. The little plot twist at the end shows us that it’s not always the destination we enjoy, but it’s the trip to get there that is the story.

This book is an exciting adventure, a study of all things southern, but it’s also a piece of art. If you skip this book this year it will surely be your loss.

Laura L- Oakland, CA
Mike Thomas