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The Treasure Hunters
When lonely Vincent is forced to go on an outdoor activity weekend with three other kids from his class, he's counting the seconds until he can escape home. But one of his classmates is hiding a she's convinced there's pirate treasure buried deep within a nearby mountain. Suddenly, this boring trip becomes an exciting adventure! But a thief is hot on the trail, intent on stealing the loot for themselves... can the Treasure Hunters work together to stop them?
330 pages, Paperback
Published April 13, 2023
4 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 24, 2025
And when not sure what to listen to, let’s resort to middle grade!
Vincent has struggled to make friends at secondary school, and at home he spends most of his time gaming. So when his school announces an opportunity for a team of students to take part in a wilderness adventure, Vincent is certain he won’t be going. But he’s wrong. Alongside him are three other misfits, ready (or not) for an unexpected adventure.
A tale of unlikely friendships and how extreme situations can bring the best out of us.
Vincent has struggled to make friends at secondary school, and at home he spends most of his time gaming. So when his school announces an opportunity for a team of students to take part in a wilderness adventure, Vincent is certain he won’t be going. But he’s wrong. Alongside him are three other misfits, ready (or not) for an unexpected adventure.
A tale of unlikely friendships and how extreme situations can bring the best out of us.
September 28, 2023
This is one of those books where the blurb takes you way too far into the story. It’s 200 pages before they even decide to look for treasure.
It’s mostly about a group of misfit school kids being sent on an orienteering camp. Anyone who’s done scouts will follow along easily: you have to carry all your equipment and meals between your team, follow some map coordinates and get through checkpoints. As someone who has sent their kid on one of these type of adventures and been there for the prep and practice runs, there were so many things I could relate to. The too heavy bag before you’ve even tried to put your stuff in (these guys didn’t just use Amazon to buy a last minute light weight bag). The struggle to get the tent attached once you’re already at bursting. The debate over which food with me the lightest and what’s just way too much effort to carry. (Tins of soup are definitely out). And there’s always blisters. The story really pulls you in and just has many of these little details that really build the atmosphere and paint the story with so many extra layers. The plot itself it fairly predictable, but the storytelling involved keeps you engaged regardless.
It's gets very Indiana Jones at the end there, but there is a sense of unity and comradery that brings it all together.
It’s mostly about a group of misfit school kids being sent on an orienteering camp. Anyone who’s done scouts will follow along easily: you have to carry all your equipment and meals between your team, follow some map coordinates and get through checkpoints. As someone who has sent their kid on one of these type of adventures and been there for the prep and practice runs, there were so many things I could relate to. The too heavy bag before you’ve even tried to put your stuff in (these guys didn’t just use Amazon to buy a last minute light weight bag). The struggle to get the tent attached once you’re already at bursting. The debate over which food with me the lightest and what’s just way too much effort to carry. (Tins of soup are definitely out). And there’s always blisters. The story really pulls you in and just has many of these little details that really build the atmosphere and paint the story with so many extra layers. The plot itself it fairly predictable, but the storytelling involved keeps you engaged regardless.
It's gets very Indiana Jones at the end there, but there is a sense of unity and comradery that brings it all together.
April 14, 2023
A fun, empathetic book which is totally up to Lisa’s high standard! Each main character was well developed and portrayed in a way which invokes sympathy, and they represent real children well. I really like the way the author puts creative spins on real life situations, making them a bit more exciting for kids to read about- I got flashbacks to my own school trips reading this. Can’t wait for the next one!
November 22, 2023
After reading Goldfish Boy, I was keen to dive into another of Lisa Thompson’s books. The Treasure Hunters was available on BorrowBox as an audiobook and I thoroughly enjoyed the story and he narration.
It follows a group of 4 kids on a weekend camping trip, each brings their own problems and issues with them, but they find along the way that their differences and perceived weaknesses are actually strengths and they bond over the course of the trip, finding friendship and support.
It follows a group of 4 kids on a weekend camping trip, each brings their own problems and issues with them, but they find along the way that their differences and perceived weaknesses are actually strengths and they bond over the course of the trip, finding friendship and support.
May 8, 2023
If you've enjoyed any of Lisa Thompson's other books I guarantee you'll like this one. Part adventure quest, part mystery, and with the usual great themes of personal growth and friendship. Thompson always includes a really deep issue for the readers to learn about and discuss, which in this novel is dyspraxia and its link to family expectations. A fab read for Upper KS2 +
May 14, 2023
This was lush. Unlikely friends, hidden passions, a big wilderness walk and treasure! I loved the characters and Lisa’s signature charm and warmth shines through this. Gorgeous messages about being yourself, friendship and teamwork. Proper made me smile!
June 11, 2023
If you're looking for a summer adventure treasure hunt this is a book for you. Vincent is friendless & lives in a computer game world, & now he has a chance to experience real nature, real bonding & real Indiana Jones style treasure hunt with booby traps. Heartwarming & fun!
April 15, 2023
I love Lisa's books and this one was no exception. A fabulous adventure story but with a positive message throughout. My class will love it!
January 12, 2024
The Treasure Hunters by Lisa Thompson, illustrated by Gemma Correll, is a fantastic adventure story for children 8+.
Vincent is a boy who keeps himself to himself. He hasn't made many friends at his secondary school as he worries that his dyspraxia will make him stand out and cause unnecessary attention. His real love is his video games which he admits he is quite good at. Vincent lives in the shadow of his big brother, who is good at sports and goes out regularly with his dad on big adventures. When the opportunity arises at school to take part in The Wilderness Warrior Challenge, Vincent has no intention of signing up. Unfortunately, for Vincent, the pupils will be selected by the teachers and his name has been put forward.
So Vincent finds himself trekking through the wilderness with only three other camp mates. The aim to reach the finish line and return home, trying to ignore the taunts of the other school groups who are taking part. With their lack of experience and enthusiasm, the four find themselves in the deep end and longing to finish the race. However, one teammate has another agenda. She has no intention of aiming for the finish line but takes them off course as she has heard there is buried treasure somewhere on Fortune Mountain. Risking their safety, the four find themselves caught up in a treasure hunt.
This was such an enjoyable read. It took me back to my own childhood watching The Goonies for the first time. Booby traps, danger, baddies; this book had it all. Complete with a host of characters that transformed along the way. The book touches on family dynamics, dyspraxia, friendship, survival, self-belief and kindness. I adored it and couldn't put it down. Highly recommend.
Vincent is a boy who keeps himself to himself. He hasn't made many friends at his secondary school as he worries that his dyspraxia will make him stand out and cause unnecessary attention. His real love is his video games which he admits he is quite good at. Vincent lives in the shadow of his big brother, who is good at sports and goes out regularly with his dad on big adventures. When the opportunity arises at school to take part in The Wilderness Warrior Challenge, Vincent has no intention of signing up. Unfortunately, for Vincent, the pupils will be selected by the teachers and his name has been put forward.
So Vincent finds himself trekking through the wilderness with only three other camp mates. The aim to reach the finish line and return home, trying to ignore the taunts of the other school groups who are taking part. With their lack of experience and enthusiasm, the four find themselves in the deep end and longing to finish the race. However, one teammate has another agenda. She has no intention of aiming for the finish line but takes them off course as she has heard there is buried treasure somewhere on Fortune Mountain. Risking their safety, the four find themselves caught up in a treasure hunt.
This was such an enjoyable read. It took me back to my own childhood watching The Goonies for the first time. Booby traps, danger, baddies; this book had it all. Complete with a host of characters that transformed along the way. The book touches on family dynamics, dyspraxia, friendship, survival, self-belief and kindness. I adored it and couldn't put it down. Highly recommend.
June 9, 2023
What would you do if you heard that there was some secret treasure to be found when you were on an activity weekend? Of course, you would want to hunt for it! This is what The Treasure Hunters is all about, but it is equally about so much more for its main character, Vincent has dyspraxia and finds team activities hard. Lisa Thompson uses wit alongside sensitivity to showcase what is probably lesser-known learning difficulty. The story has been illustrated throughout by Gemma Correll whose work is described as being warm, sensitive and relatable, this perfectly complements the story and the two are a perfect complement, certain to lure readers into a brilliant book.
Vincent finds it difficult to join in with team sports such as football because of his dyspraxia so he tends to be quiet and invisible when he is at school and finds solace playing computer games in his room when he is at home. When he is chosen to take part in an outdoor activity weekend with three other children from his class who are also outcasts chaos is about to be unleashed. One of them is hiding a secret…her grandfather, who recently dies, was convinced there was buried treasure in the local area. She is determined to find it, in his memory. The trouble is there is an unscrupulous thief on the trail too. Who will get to the treasure first and what will they do when they find it? An exciting twisty mystery that will keep readers on their toes!
Vincent finds it difficult to join in with team sports such as football because of his dyspraxia so he tends to be quiet and invisible when he is at school and finds solace playing computer games in his room when he is at home. When he is chosen to take part in an outdoor activity weekend with three other children from his class who are also outcasts chaos is about to be unleashed. One of them is hiding a secret…her grandfather, who recently dies, was convinced there was buried treasure in the local area. She is determined to find it, in his memory. The trouble is there is an unscrupulous thief on the trail too. Who will get to the treasure first and what will they do when they find it? An exciting twisty mystery that will keep readers on their toes!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews