Captive Treasure

by Milly Howard

The long days on the trail were filled with excitement for adventurous Carrie Talbot. And at the end of the trail waited more adventure—she was going to start a brand new life at the Indian mission established by her uncle.

Then a sudden encounter with an Indian raiding party left Carrie with more excitement than she wanted. As she rode off helplessly with her captors, frantic thoughts raced through Carrie's mind.

Why was one of the Indians so interested in the family Bible she had managed to save? How could she escape? Even if she did, how could she ever find the wagon train again?

The raiding party took Carrie deep into the wilderness to a Cheyenne camp on the banks of a distant river. There Carrie met the Indian called the Keeper and began a life far different from any she had ever imagined.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Childrens, Middle Grade, Christian Fiction, Westerns

167 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1988

Reviews

[Bo]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Written for early elementary kids to read on their own, but would be an enjoyable read-aloud too. Lots of adventure for Carrie, with being on a wagon train and getting captured by Indians. I appreciated the spiritual lessons in the book - woven into the book naturally and without being "preachy." Even good reminders for an adult.

Some of my favorite quotes -

"Don't mind him......Mom says he is growing too fast. It addles his mind." :-D

"I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies ....Ashamed, she realized that she had not once prayed."

"Make the most of the time and place God gives you.............for His hand is in it."

I won't give away the story, but it is a worthwhile book, with a wholesome, interesting plot.

[Amanda Stevens]

A young girl is lost from her wagon train and captured by the Cheyenne. For a year she lives out bravery and faith in the midst of a culture she fears at first but learns to love. One of my favorite books when I was in about third grade. Reread it over and over for several years, loved the characters so much; and the "storing up treasure in heaven" message stuck with me, lived out in these pages by a girl who has lost everything in her life except her Bible. A great discussion book for kids on how one person can impact many lives.

[Maggie]

Though this was a very positive book, it also seemed unrealistic. For one thing, I think it would take longer to adjust to the language and cultural differences. Plus the main character, Carrie, had absolutely no terror at being taken captive by a band of Plains Indians. I loved all the scripture she could call up to help her in various situations. It just seemed a bit much that except for one individual, everyone was pretty nice.

[Amanda]

December was supposed the month to read from my own shelves, and I haven't done very well so far. To jumpstart it, I grabbed a couple children's books that I owned but had (that I remember) never read. I definitely won't be keeping this one. The writing, themes, and messages were all below par. Children's books can be so much more than poorly written, misguided morality tales.

[Cheryl]

Read out loud at bedtime to my 8 and 11 year olds. It was not too scary but very encouraging story.

[Jacob]

I like this book because how Carrie was nice the Indians and she read her bible to them and helping them.

[Ruth]

I just finished reading this with Podling 4. My biggest complaints are that the little girl doesn't act her age and that the barriers of language and culture are overcome much too quickly. The book is quite didactic, but I expect that from this publisher, so that didn't bother me. It should be said that Podling 4 liked the read and only had to have a few of the intuitive leaps explained to her, so that should count in the book's favor.

[Jenna]

GOOD BOOK REALLY GOOD.

[Leia-Catherine]

Jill read this to us while camping on South Manitou Island!

[Christian]

Jill read this to us while camping on South Manitou Island!

[Kim Friant]

A wonderful book from my childhood! I read it over and over again!!

[Bethany Baldwin]

Loved this book when I was younger. Need to re-read.

[Andrew Dyer]

Best kids chapter book EVER! Seriously. Read it aloud to them or just read it for yourself. Excellent!