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I Didn't Go Looking for Trouble
Willy Storey is a girl with an independent spirit. All her life, all she’s known is antiques. Every summer since her mother died, Willy has traveled the midwest with her father buying antiques to resell at the family store. When the bank comes after their family home after Willy’s father is disabled in an accident, Willy takes matters into her own hands. She goes out on the road in her dad’s beat up old pickup truck to try to save the family business. But it’s going to take more than luck to succeed, it’s going to take a little bit of magic. Visiting small town midwest, Willy discovers something else that catches her by surprise, a devoted friend who might be able to lead her to treasure rumored to be hidden in a picture frame somewhere in Iowa.
168 pages, Paperback
First published August 12, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 20, 2014
‘I Didn’t Go Looking for Trouble’ is a wonderful, enchanting adventure that will delight both younger readers and the young at heart.
When Wilhelmina Story’s father is injured and can no long go antique picking, the determined, sixteen year old takes it upon her self to go in his stead. On the hunt for hidden treasures, Willy uses skills taught by her father to find antiques that her Uncle Marty can sell in the family’s antique store, and thereby save the family home and pay off her father’s medical bills.
But when Willy follows a tip and ends up buying a strange bell jar and silver platter, she finds something a lot more valuable, and also inadvertently attracts the attentions of a dangerous crook.
This is such a lovely, engaging tale with a young, main character that you can’t help but like, and a great cast of supporting characters. The mild element of danger will keep you hooked, while a beautiful magical element is just delightful.
I initially bought this book for my ten year old daughter to read, but the synopsis and cover were so lovely, I couldn’t help myself from reading it too; I’m so glad I did. I can't wait for her to finish it so we can talk about it together.
When Wilhelmina Story’s father is injured and can no long go antique picking, the determined, sixteen year old takes it upon her self to go in his stead. On the hunt for hidden treasures, Willy uses skills taught by her father to find antiques that her Uncle Marty can sell in the family’s antique store, and thereby save the family home and pay off her father’s medical bills.
But when Willy follows a tip and ends up buying a strange bell jar and silver platter, she finds something a lot more valuable, and also inadvertently attracts the attentions of a dangerous crook.
This is such a lovely, engaging tale with a young, main character that you can’t help but like, and a great cast of supporting characters. The mild element of danger will keep you hooked, while a beautiful magical element is just delightful.
I initially bought this book for my ten year old daughter to read, but the synopsis and cover were so lovely, I couldn’t help myself from reading it too; I’m so glad I did. I can't wait for her to finish it so we can talk about it together.
July 3, 2013
I truly enjoyed this book. It was refreshing to read something age-appropriate for my pre-teen. Matt did such a great job at character development mixed with just the right amount of suspense. I couldn't put it down. And it has a great message at the end. Read it.
July 12, 2013
My 11 year old absolutely loved this book. Great characters and an engaging story line!
December 11, 2017
The storyline was really good but the love interest line bothered me a bit. There were also a few obvious editing errors that detracted from the story, but besides that it was good.
December 1, 2014
Being a scrounger and a picker at heart, this book had me from Willy's first introduction.
She is a strong, capable female who, although young, has a strong sense of family and duty
and knows what she wants. She does not hesitate to go after her dreams.
Willy leaves high school shortly before the end of the term when she fears her home,
the home she shares with her father, is going to be foreclosed upon.
She has grown up on "picking" trips with her father, traveling to find and buy antiques for her uncle's store in Minneapolis. Together she and her father traveled the states within a few days of her native Minnesota.
An accident leaves Willy's father unable to travel. In fact, he may be fighting for his life.
This is why she hitches up the trailer and takes her dad's old truck with its homemade camper top out on the road.
Using her college fund money to stake her dream of saving their home and perhaps even pay some medical bills. Willy goes in search of items that will sell quickly and bring a profit.
She meets a kind woman who gives her a lead about a woman who has some things to sell and will only sell them to a stranger. Willy feels the situation is very strange but isn't quite sure how to get out of this deal once she checks it out. The woman selling was not at all concerned about money - just getting certain items out of her house.
These are the items that bring Willy both danger and joy.
The items, a silver platter and a bell jar, or cloche, are infused with magic.
Ensconsed under the glass cover of the bell jar is a sprite, something akin to a genie in a bottle
but more in a fairy like figure. Willy names this sprite Nuema.
If discovering and traveling with a sprite is not enough reason for you to keep reading, the mystery of a hidden American treasure behind a common print of a painting is emticing.
And what trouble will a sixteen year old girl find herself in trying to survive in the road several states away from home? I will hint that some of that trouble comes from men whose wives sell their belongings without permission.
This is an adventure story with a little coming of age perspective.
It was a joy to read and very hard to set down.
I hope we meet these well written characters again.
She is a strong, capable female who, although young, has a strong sense of family and duty
and knows what she wants. She does not hesitate to go after her dreams.
Willy leaves high school shortly before the end of the term when she fears her home,
the home she shares with her father, is going to be foreclosed upon.
She has grown up on "picking" trips with her father, traveling to find and buy antiques for her uncle's store in Minneapolis. Together she and her father traveled the states within a few days of her native Minnesota.
An accident leaves Willy's father unable to travel. In fact, he may be fighting for his life.
This is why she hitches up the trailer and takes her dad's old truck with its homemade camper top out on the road.
Using her college fund money to stake her dream of saving their home and perhaps even pay some medical bills. Willy goes in search of items that will sell quickly and bring a profit.
She meets a kind woman who gives her a lead about a woman who has some things to sell and will only sell them to a stranger. Willy feels the situation is very strange but isn't quite sure how to get out of this deal once she checks it out. The woman selling was not at all concerned about money - just getting certain items out of her house.
These are the items that bring Willy both danger and joy.
The items, a silver platter and a bell jar, or cloche, are infused with magic.
Ensconsed under the glass cover of the bell jar is a sprite, something akin to a genie in a bottle
but more in a fairy like figure. Willy names this sprite Nuema.
If discovering and traveling with a sprite is not enough reason for you to keep reading, the mystery of a hidden American treasure behind a common print of a painting is emticing.
And what trouble will a sixteen year old girl find herself in trying to survive in the road several states away from home? I will hint that some of that trouble comes from men whose wives sell their belongings without permission.
This is an adventure story with a little coming of age perspective.
It was a joy to read and very hard to set down.
I hope we meet these well written characters again.
January 31, 2016
Good work, Matt! It was a fun ride!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews