The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck

Tuckernuck #1

by Emily Fairlie

Two sixth graders solve the eighty-year-old mystery of their school, Tuckernuck Hall, in a clue-filled scavenger hunt that leads them to unexpected treasure. A classic mystery filled with humor and heart.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Adventure, Fiction, Juvenile, Childrens, Young Adult

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2012

About the author

Emily Fairlie grew up in Virginia and went to Tuckahoe Middle School, which unlike Tuckernuck Hall was sadly lacking in hidden clues and treasure. She was also the proud owner of a family of gerbil escape artists with a taste for blood (and sunflower seeds). She now lives in Charlottesville with her dog Binky.

Pseudonym for author Emily Ecton

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this 1 1/2 stars; I liked the plot, but I didn't like ANY of the characters! I mean it, NONE of the characters was remotely believable, likeable, or even relate-able in any fashion (except for the ex-best friend, but as she only appears for about 3 seconds in the book, I don't think she really counts and even she was just shallow). All the people are stereotypes, or on the flip side they don't behave in a realistic fashion. They act very bizarrely--act being the strong word; it's like a bad, bad movie.

I wanted to like this book--a hidden treasure, mysterious clues to figure out, a school to save--but it was sunk for me by the abysmal characters plodding around, whining and ruining everything. The lost treasure here was the plot of this book.

[JeanBookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Fairlie’s clever and imaginative, The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck, tells the story of sixth grader Laurie Madison. She is one of the students at Tuckernuck and desperately wants to join her best friend Kimmy at another middle school. However, it will have to wait as she is assigned for gerbil duty with the annoying Bud Wallace. Trying to keep a close eye on the rodents, one mischievous gerbil escapes and Laurie and Bud must track it down where she staggers upon the first clue of the famous Tuckernuck treasure. Hidden away for eighty years, the two might have a chance uncovering it if they work together.

The story that author Emily has created is truly original and refreshing. The aged school’s setting made for great scenes and the clue-chasing mystery laid out opportunities for clever twists, turns, and surprises. The writing style of Emily allows readers to get a full grasp of all the fun adventure Laurie and Bud goes through and the included illustrations gave a fun look. The added notes and memos was a nice addition to the story and provided overall depth. This is a book that will surely become a favorite for young readers. Memorable characters in an epic treasure hunting adventure makes for great storytelling. Young readers will surely enjoy this book and can only hope that there are more fun adventures lying in wait for Laurie.

[Jayce Senter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminded me strongly of Andrew Clements Keepers of the School series. Unfortunately Clements books are much better. The main characters in this book bicker & fight so much & aren't all that likable. The clues were a stretch & most of the time even the sleuths in the story weren't sure they actually solved the clue before moving on to the next one. All in all, I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. My recommendation is to skip this book & read Keepers of the School.

AR level: 4.2
Grade appropriate: 4th and up

RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 2/5
Creativity: 2/5-- very similar to other childrens books out right now but sadly not as good
Characters: 2/5-- bickering & petty
Engrossing: 2/5-- I put it down and read other things until I made myself finish it
Writing: 3/5-- eh
Appeal to kids: 4/5-- honestly the kids will probably like it more than I did.
Appropriate length to tell the story: 3/5

CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence:none
Drugs/Alcohol: none, some cigarette smoking by a creepy janitor

[Karissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all, we read this book as a class, which adds to the stupidity.

I hate reading a book and not even having to turn the page to find out what's gonna happen next, our how it's gonna end.

These characters are supposed to be haha hehe funny, but majority of the time I was extremely annoyed at them and wanted to hurl the book at the wall.

100% would NOT recommend.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

2014-15 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee.
Always good advice from the jacket flap: make friends with the ancient school librarian, or any age librarian! Wonder if kids will recognize the nod to CHiPs officers Ponch & Jon in the class gerbils names, teachers of a certain age will. The little notes were a bit annoying to me but they do break up and move story along, which will be interesting for kids. I changed my mind towards the end when I found them a really effective way to wrap up the story.

[kendall₊ ⊹ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this with my English class and the combination of my teacher's weird character voices and the fact that she read so slow just added to the horribleness (Is that a word?). It took us forever to finish it and the story was just stupid.

First of all, the characters were very stupid. Also Laurie was supposed to be really funny but her jokes fell flat. Bud was super annoying and I got kind of sick of him.

This book was so predictable, cringy, and just all around stupid. You could pretty much guess what was going to happen next.

I would not recommend this book.

[Lydia (on hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish this book and put it down at about 30% of the way through. Why? Here's why:

1) Characters? Flat. I wasn't rooting for them. I didn't even want them to find the treasure! The plot was just dragging them along.

2) It was just plain silly. I wanted it to be some epic adventure story (the cover and the blurb tricked me!!!!!). but no. It's just two kids who are petsitting the teacher-principle-whatever's nightmarish hamsters (or were they gerbils?...I don't know. Same thing).

3) The writing wasn't enough. I think if I absolutely loved the writing, I might've kept going. But the writing style was not interesting. You would think that if this Tuckernuck school was so...interesting and, um, unique, then the writing would be, too. Right???

4) The plot did not exceed my expectations. Like I said, I wanted some more adventure and suspense rather than two petsitting kids. I also wish that the stakes were higher! The only motivation (so far at 30% through) was that Tuckernuck school *might* shut down. Not only that, but I really couldn't see any chance of the plot changing the characters for good. The plot did not help the characters and the characters didn't help the plot.

You might say, 'well, you didn't read it all through', but at this point, if I'm going to continue this book, I need to know why I should want to read it and why the characters matter.
Those are my thoughts on this book. Like I said, I only read 30%, so *maybe* the whole story turned amazing miraculously??? But it just wasn't worth continuing for me.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laurie is not happy to be spending her sixth grade year at Tuckernuck Hall, alma mater of her mother, father and older brother, rather than going to school with her best friend Kimmy. To make matters worse, her new assigned task is class gerbil monitor which she performs with her assigned partner, Bud Wallace, one of the least popular kids at school. However, Bud and Laurie stumble upon clues to solve the decades old puzzle left by the school's founder and in their humorous adventures around the school and over the internet to track down the "treasure," they develop a friendship. And they just might find a way to save their school. Funny, fast paced and suitable for a wide age range. A great family read aloud.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminds me of Benjamin Pratt (Clements) books because of the mystery and historic school similarities. Kids who love Balliett, Keene and Dixon will eat this one up.

[Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was probably the funniest book I've ever read!

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was awesome when they found the treasure which was a painting

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. There is nothing special about this book except the author's unerring ability to capture children as they don't actually speak and adults as they don't actually act.

[guilowaifu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puzzle/scavenger hunt

[annieee]

It's amazing. I can not even imagine of Emily Fairlie making those brilliant Puzzles and riddles!

[Alyssa]

Cheesy but fun kids mystery about the school they go to.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Matt DIcke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope

It sucks it was boring no matter it so badhzjjx. Dhvdbbd shd fbr rjd r rje rbbd. Dh dj dbdbndnbd

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was assigned to review The Magician's Bird: A Tuckernuck Mystery, the sequel to The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck, so I thought that I had better read the first book, because otherwise how can you really write a review?

The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck was... ok. I would recommend it to fans of mystery books, but it's very light on suspense and danger. There really isn't any danger, other than a historic school closing, and what kid is really going to be torn up about that? It's the story of sixth grader Laurie Madison, who really wants to go to public school with her best friend Kimmy, but instead is forced to go to Tuckernuck Hall, where the mascot is a Clucker. She is assigned to gerbil duty with Bud Wallace, the kid who everyone hates because of his school project that led to the banning of sweets at Tuckernuck. The class pets, Ponch and Jon, are menacing, violent gerbils, and Laurie hates everything about gerbil duty, and looks forward to the day that she can just go to public school. That day may come pretty quickly, though, because Tuckernuck Hall is in danger of closing. Laurie sure doesn't mind, until she discovers a clue to the long-lost treasure of Tuckernuck, and sets off with Bud to find the treasure before it's too late.

I definitely didn't see most of the "twists" coming, but they also weren't very exciting. It's a light or mild adventure, kind of the kiddie-ride version of a mystery. Recommended for kids who are fans of mysteries but don't want anything too scary or suspenseful.

Gr. 4-6

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck is a very creative and original story. Laurie Madison has just begun middle school at Tuckernuck Hall and is desperate to get out. The halls of Tuckernuck are packed with odd art, old librarians, and Tuckernuck Clucker spirit. Laurie's best friend, Kimmy, attends another middle school, and Laurie is determined to join her there. Unfortunately, before anything can begin, she is assigned gerbil duty with Bud Wallace, the most unappreciated sixth-grader (after Bud's elementary school science project that focused on the dangers of sweets, the school board banned them district-wide).
Reluctant to deal with the rodents, or Bud, Laurie is not expecting to have any fun, but when one of the gerbils escapes and she must chase it down with Bud, Laurie stumbles on the first clue to the famed Tucernuck treasure. Hidden eighty years before by Principal Tutweiler, a somewhat legendary eccentric, neither of the sixth-graders thought that they had a chance at finding the treasure, but working together, this unlikely team is able to uncover clue after clue, each working with different motives to solve the puzzle.
Meanwhile, the school board is planning to destroy Tuckernuck Hall and sell the land to a developer, and Bud is battling his dad who believes that academics are all-important. When Laurie and Bud see the bulldozers rushing in, they must race against the clock (and rival, Calliope Judkin who is hot on their trail) in order to try to find the treasure and save the school.
This book is clever and unique. There are pictures of memos, journal entries, and notes throughout the chapters which may be a bit harder for developing readers to understand. The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck is worth a read, though!
From shelfishness.blog.com

[carrietracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laurie is completely miserable to be starting at a private middle school. She would give anything to be at Hamilton with her BFF, Kimmy. But her family has always gone to Tuckernuck, with its dopey chicken mascot.

Bud’s presentation to the school board was so convincing it got all sweets banned from Tuckernuck. Consequently it also made him a social pariah. Bud can live without friends, but since his mother passed away, he can’t live with becoming a disappointment to his father. This means constantly working on school work, studying extra, taking mini quizzes of his father’s invention and it means no time for extracurricular activities.

It’s not long after they’re paired together on the worst possible job in the grade, gerbil duty, that they find themselves in the middle of a treasure hunt. Laurie hopes finding the treasure will convince her parents that she should be allowed to go to any school she wants. Bud hopes finding the treasure will convince the school that he should give the eighth grade graduation speech (in two years). They unite to try to find the treasure, but soon discover there’s more on the line then their own agendas. Without the mysterious Tutweiler treasure the school might have to close forever!

Bud is a very sympathetic character and the mystery aspect is bound to be fun for children. There are lots of fun clues and the text is broken up by memos, notes, letters and other communications. Laurie is an obnoxious, whiny, snot. I’m not entirely sure if being of an age when you might be an obnoxious, whiny, snot yourself makes her more likable, but from an adult perspective, it was really difficult to care about her which made reading a bit more difficult.

This book is on level for grades 3 and 4.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes life just doesn't go your way. Arlie does not, does not, want to go to Tuckernuck Hall for middle school. After all, her best friend is attending the local public school. But Arlie doesn't have a choice. Her parents, both Tuckernuck alumni, insist that she become a clucker (called because the school mascot is a chicken). Things only get worse when she's paired with Bud Wallace and assigned hamster duty. Bud has his own issues, one of which was his science fair project a couple of years earlier when he presented information on the evils of sweets. Unfortunately that lead to the school banning all sweets from the campus and thus turning Bud into a pariah to his classmates. In the meantime, a developer wants to buy the school property and turn it into condos.

It turns out Tuckernuck Hall has may have a lost treasure. No one has ever found it. No one has ever found the clues until Arlie and Bud quite literally stumble into the first one. Slowly they work out the puzzle but while they're busy detecting, a girl who aspires to be a newspaper reporter follows them around, sure she can figure out their secret. It doesn't help that at the same time over enthusiastic teachers sign the kids up for chorus, for a club to study romantic poets, for the school play. What are a couple of middle schoolers to do?

Funny and lighthearted but written around a unusual plot. Lessons learned include perseverance in working out clues, in working together, and in working out the psychology of hamsters. Late elementary or middle school readers, boys and girls. Book 1 of an expected trilogy.

[Charlotte Hood odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Students in upper second grade, third, fourth, and fifth would enjoy this book. I highly recommend it, especially if you like mysteries.

Here is my review:
The founder of Tuckernuck Middle School was Maria Tutweiler who left a puzzle for the students to solve. The prize is "a treasure beyond bounds." This was 80 years ago and no one has been able to solve the puzzle much less find the first clue. (Everyone thought she was crazy and they still think that.)

Laurie is forced to attend Tuckernuck because both her parents had attended. The school is ancient and everyone knows that the school will probably close soon. Laurie is trying to convince her parents to let her attend Hamilton Junior High with her friend Kimmy.

Laurie is forced to gerbil duties with the very unpopular Bud Wallace. Bud did a science project that was presented to the school board members. - A project to show the effects of sugar in school lunches. - All sugar has been banned from cafeteria lunches. We find out that this was not Bud's original goal, but none the less all students dislike him due to this sugar ban.

During gerbil duties, a gerbil escapes and the two are forced to catch this critter. During this event, Laurie and Bud accidentally knock a picture of a chicken off the wall. Hidden in the corner of the frame is a secret message and the letter D. These two are the only ones to find a clue to the puzzle that could save the school. Clues include music, Shakespeare, and a cat. Can you solve the puzzle with Laurie and Bud without getting caught and before the school is demolished?

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

he Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck is one of those obscure, random books you pick off the shelf at the library because it sounds kind of interesting, while inwardly you prepare yourself for it to be really cheesy, but then you’re kind of pleasantly surprised by the end.

The book is about two students of Tuckernuck, a school with an interesting background and a looming shut-down date, who start looking for the treasure that the founder of the school hid eighty years ago. Laurie and Bud aren’t really friends when they team up, but, of course, along the way they learn a thing or two about friendship, as well as school spirit and loyalty.

It’s a fast read, and the treasure hunt is fairly interesting. One of the more interesting aspects of the book is the inclusion of memos and post-it notes from various side characters that make things more interesting and fun. It also helps these side characters to stand out more and make the reader actually interested in them. The illustrations were another plus, adding good visual charm.

The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck is a pretty straightforward treasure hunt book, but it was surprisingly more interesting and less cheesy than I thought it would be. The treasure hunt was pretty intricate, the lessons the characters learned were woven into the story well, and there was a great deal of charm throughout with some good writing decisions and format. Overall, it was much more enjoyable than I originally thought it would be!

[Wrighty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable middle grade read that includes humor and mystery. With a chicken for the school mascot (the Tuckernuck Cluckers!) you know there are going to be some funny moments. Laurie and Bud are new 6th graders at this unusual school and not off to a very good start. In fact, Laurie is planning to transfer to another school as soon as possible but coming from a family of Clucker alumni makes that tough. When she and Bud as forced into an unlikely partnership they discover the first clue to the school's hidden treasure. As an exciting adventure unfolds, Laurie develops a new outlook on the school and their quest is off at a frantic pace with a deadline looming for demolition day.

The details of the treasure hunt are quite interesting and the characters begin to adapt and grow. The more they learn about the history of Tuckernuck Academy the more their priorities change and the less selfish their motives become. The references to famous authors and artists, as well as the illustrations and copies of notes and emails, were a fun addition. The quirky humor was my favorite element. This is an enjoyable story for adults as well as young readers!

Thank you to HarperCollins for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Ms. Yockey]

Harper
Sept 2012
Ask Jenny

Excerpt:

Tips for Solving the Treasure Challenge Created by Your Crazy School Founder over Eighty Years Ago

By Laurie Madison and Bud Wallace, Grade 6:

1. Be suspicious of student journalists. And maybe janitors, too.
2. Make friends with your ancient school librarian. If her blue hair freaks you out, get over it.
3. Be prepared to sing like an angel, or at the very least, like a pirate.
4. Never underestimate the usefulness of furry rodents (especially flesh-eating ones).
5. Avoid the English wing. Seriously. You don't want to go there.

Using a unique blend of notes, lists, and classic prose, The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck tells the story of Bud and Laurie's quest to find the infamous Tutweiler Treasure. They're hot (or at least lukewarm) on the trail of clues, but time is running out-the school board wants to tear down Tuckernuck Hall. Can Bud and Laurie find the treasure before it's lost forever?

Emily Fairlie's memorable caper combines timeless mystery with humor in a treasure trove of wry wit, thrilling adventure, and undeniable heart.

[Cinnapatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I loved it! Perfect, light hearted reading. The main characters are 6th graders and since I currently have a 6th grader, I can tell you that the author really has their dialogue and attitudes down pat! Made me chuckle even more.

The school of Tuckernuck (their mascot is a chicken so they are the Cluckers!) is going to be razed. The school board wants to sell the property as it's worth a lot of money. Just not with the school on it. For 80 years Tuckernuck has boasted a treasure that thus far none of the students have found. Laurie (who would rather be a Hamilton Hornet) hopes to find the treasure and finally get to transfer from the school! Circumstance throws her with Bud and together (willingly, because they have to) they try and figure things out.

Lots of laugh out loud moments. Lots of action scenes from the flesh eating, must be feared gerbils Ponch and Jon. HA HA! Remember CHIPS? Yes, Ponch and Jon. I like this author's sense of humor. Super fun, easy, read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, fun mystery for 3rd - 5th grade.

Laurie and Bud are stuck at Tuckernuck School, which is about to be closed due to a lack of funding.

When they stumble upon the answer to the first clue in a treasure hunt set-up by the school's founder ages ago, they attempt to figure out the answers to all of the clues and find the treasure.

Of course, hijinks ensue.

The book is silly fun (Bud and Laurie and gerbil monitors, and the gerbils are named Ponch and Jon, which made me smile.), and it ends! You don't have to wait for another book to find out what happens. With the glut of series recently, I love that this is a stand-alone.

One slight oddity is Bud's relationship with his dad. His mom died a couple years ago and the strain on he and his dad's relationship seems a bit dark (not terribly dark - still appropriate for 8 year-olds) compared to the frivolity of the rest of the story.

Overall, a fun middle-grade read.

[Laudys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I won this book in a giveaway.
This book was actually funny and endearing. I laughed out loud in a few places because of things I didn't see coming. The illustrations were really nice to look at and the notes and memos gave a nice touch.

By the way, Tuckernuck Hall seems like an awesome school to go to. If you don't care about looking "cool" that is. I mean, yes, the school mascot is a chicken and the students are called cluckers, but 'common, chicken paraphernalia? It has a bell tower? Subject related halls? Crazy art and sculptures?

It should be a series, like Black Hole High or Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. It would star Laurie and Bud surviving their wacky school brimming with zany teachers. I would watch it.

[Teresa Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laurie is attending the private school: Tuckernuck and is not happy about it. To make matters worse she is assigned to be class gerbil monitor with Bud the school outcast. She wants to attend the public school her best friend attends but her parents will have none of it. She believes if she solves the mystery of a treasure hidden by the school's founder she might be able to finally transfer. Her gerbil partner, Bud, begins helping and little by little they discover clues that no one has been able to solve for several decades. The school is in financial trouble and may be demolished unless she and Bud find the treasure in time to save the school. Characters write notes to themselves throughout the book interesting peek into their thoughts.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I certainly liked it. I thought the clues were great fun and I loved how the final clue brought the kids back to the original foyer and the chicken portrait. I thought the use of lists, student note passing and administrative emailing would be fun for kids to read. For me, an obvious comparison is The Westing Game - one of my favorites. I don't feel like the character development is as good in The Lost Treasure. Every player in TWG develops over time and is 'improved' as a result of playing the game - win or lose. I don't get that feeling in TLToT. The changes in Bud and his dad are predictable, and you know that Laurie is going to find the treasure and come to love the school. The language in TLToT, however, is up-to-date and engaging. I think kids will like it.