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The Virginia Mysteries #1
Summer of the Woods
The Virginia Mysteries Series - Book #1
2013-14 Weaver Elementary One School, One Book Selection!
When ten-year-old Derek and eight-year-old Sam move with their family to Virginia, they have no idea what adventures the summer will bring. As the brothers explore their creaky old house and the deep surrounding woods, they uncover a sixty-year-old mystery of a valuable coin collection stolen from the local museum. Join the boys as they spend their summer running from danger and searching the woods, secret caves, rushing waters, and hidden passageways for treasure and the rare 1877 Indian Head cent coin!
Recommended for ages 7-12.
2013-14 Weaver Elementary One School, One Book Selection!
When ten-year-old Derek and eight-year-old Sam move with their family to Virginia, they have no idea what adventures the summer will bring. As the brothers explore their creaky old house and the deep surrounding woods, they uncover a sixty-year-old mystery of a valuable coin collection stolen from the local museum. Join the boys as they spend their summer running from danger and searching the woods, secret caves, rushing waters, and hidden passageways for treasure and the rare 1877 Indian Head cent coin!
Recommended for ages 7-12.
142 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2013
1457 people are currently reading
1370 people want to read
About the author
Steven K. Smith
27 books128 followersSteven K. Smith writes the middle grade series The Virginia Mysteries, Brother Wars, and Final Kingdom.
Steven lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife and three sons. Born and raised in rural northwestern New Jersey, he moved to Virginia in 2011 and quickly fell in love with its history and charm. Visit his website at www.stevenksmith.net.
When he's not writing, Steven enjoys coaching his boys in sports, hiking, kayaking, naps, and taking away his kids' screen time. Some of his favorite children's books include Where the Red Fern Grows, Rascal, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Bridge to Terabithia, and the Chronicles of Narnia series.
The Virginia Mysteries - Adventures with a twist of history
(Ages 7-12)
Book 1 - Summer of the Woods
Book 2 - Mystery on Church Hill
Book 3 - Ghosts of Belle Isle
Book 4 - Secret of the Staircase
Book 5 - Midnight at the Mansion
Book 6 - Shadows at Jamestown
Book 7 - Spies at Mount Vernon
Book 8 - Escape from Monticello
Brother Wars (Ages 7-12)
Brother Wars
Brother Wars: Cabin Eleven
Brother Wars: The Big Apple
Final Kingdom Trilogy (Ages 10+)
Book 1 - The Missing
Book 2- The Recruit
Book 3 - The Bridge
Steven lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife and three sons. Born and raised in rural northwestern New Jersey, he moved to Virginia in 2011 and quickly fell in love with its history and charm. Visit his website at www.stevenksmith.net.
When he's not writing, Steven enjoys coaching his boys in sports, hiking, kayaking, naps, and taking away his kids' screen time. Some of his favorite children's books include Where the Red Fern Grows, Rascal, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Bridge to Terabithia, and the Chronicles of Narnia series.
The Virginia Mysteries - Adventures with a twist of history
(Ages 7-12)
Book 1 - Summer of the Woods
Book 2 - Mystery on Church Hill
Book 3 - Ghosts of Belle Isle
Book 4 - Secret of the Staircase
Book 5 - Midnight at the Mansion
Book 6 - Shadows at Jamestown
Book 7 - Spies at Mount Vernon
Book 8 - Escape from Monticello
Brother Wars (Ages 7-12)
Brother Wars
Brother Wars: Cabin Eleven
Brother Wars: The Big Apple
Final Kingdom Trilogy (Ages 10+)
Book 1 - The Missing
Book 2- The Recruit
Book 3 - The Bridge
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
September 11, 2017
For an adult this book may be nostalgic, that is, if you ever went camping as a kid and was afraid of the night sounds, or if you ever had roasted marshmallows or even went exploring on your own as I did.
The book reads like a Hardy Boys series, way less detective work but what a fun relaxing read. Sam is 8 years old and Derek is 10, and the exploring takes place in the Virginia woods behind their new home. Their parents allow them to explore the woods, which surprises me but maybe the woods isn't large enough for them to get lost.
I really felt that the author was able to put himself in a child's mind. It was as if he never lost his own memories of his childhood, but then again he has three sons, so I am sure that they jog his memory often.
This story is set in modern times but still has the feel of an old fashioned mystery and begins with the boys finding an old coin in the creek. An Indian head penny, I think. I remember those Indian head pennies, and I have a buffalo head nickel, a dime with a man on it with wings on his head, and wow! I just found an Indian head penny in my tiny collection that is just made up of a few coins that I kept before they went out of print, along with some foreign coins that I found on the streets of Berkeley, and a wooden nickel that I bought somewhere in Berkeley. And what kid doesn’t like to find money, especially old coins. Well, you see adults do too.
I certainly will be reading more of his books. The best thing about them is that these were stories that he made up to tell his boys at bedtime. What a neat father. My brother used to make up stories to tell me at bedtime, but all I remember is a part of a story about a turtle living in a pond, and the only reason I remember it is because he ended it with the turtle being turned into turtle soup, an ending that did not make me happy.
The book reads like a Hardy Boys series, way less detective work but what a fun relaxing read. Sam is 8 years old and Derek is 10, and the exploring takes place in the Virginia woods behind their new home. Their parents allow them to explore the woods, which surprises me but maybe the woods isn't large enough for them to get lost.
I really felt that the author was able to put himself in a child's mind. It was as if he never lost his own memories of his childhood, but then again he has three sons, so I am sure that they jog his memory often.
This story is set in modern times but still has the feel of an old fashioned mystery and begins with the boys finding an old coin in the creek. An Indian head penny, I think. I remember those Indian head pennies, and I have a buffalo head nickel, a dime with a man on it with wings on his head, and wow! I just found an Indian head penny in my tiny collection that is just made up of a few coins that I kept before they went out of print, along with some foreign coins that I found on the streets of Berkeley, and a wooden nickel that I bought somewhere in Berkeley. And what kid doesn’t like to find money, especially old coins. Well, you see adults do too.
I certainly will be reading more of his books. The best thing about them is that these were stories that he made up to tell his boys at bedtime. What a neat father. My brother used to make up stories to tell me at bedtime, but all I remember is a part of a story about a turtle living in a pond, and the only reason I remember it is because he ended it with the turtle being turned into turtle soup, an ending that did not make me happy.
October 31, 2013
If Mr. Smith’s first book is an indication of things to come, he will quickly become one of my son’s favourite authors. Mine too, actually. Although The Boy, an 8-year old 3rd grader, loves to read on his own, he still indulges my Mommy Moments and allows me to occasionally read a book with him. To me, Summer of the Woods is the ideal book for this, because it has something for adults, as well as for children.
As if by magic, Mr. Smith presents the perfect combination of nostalgia and modern day. This exemplifies the summers I remember. Freely roaming all around, turning over rocks in creeks, exploring woods and caves while our imaginations provided limitless adventures. Kids being kids. Good times, good stuff.
On the other hand, there are some pretty cool tools that we, as parents, have today, that I bet my folks would have welcomed. Google. Oh, how I love Google, as a mom. Kids will always be curious, and the “new” advantage of quickly answering their questions with information and pictures at your fingertips allows their little minds to just keep going and going. Which is why they are so darn smart, as brilliantly demonstrated in this story.
Two young boys move to Richmond, Virginia; into a large, old house, backed by woods and a winding creek. So, yes, I am a bit biased, but only because Mr. Smith captures the essence of my home so accurately and vividly. In no time at all, young Sam finds an old wheat penny, which leads them to the discovery of the legendary mystery. Supposedly, a valuable and rare coin collection was stolen from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts many, many years ago and was never recovered. As all good boys would do, the brothers make it their mission to solve the crime and recover the treasure. What follows is a classic adventure that you simply must experience.
I admit that I went into this book with high expectations. Not only was I not disappointed, but I was quite surprised to find so many things that I love about this book. The dialogue and teasing among the family is spot-on. The mystery was fun, interesting, and authentic. The boys’ emotions and actions are more than credible---these are typical 8 and 10 year old boys. The story flowed so smoothly that I actually read this in one sitting, although that wasn’t my plan when I picked it up.
Sidebar: For the 3rd consecutive year, all of the students in my son’s elementary school (K-5) will be reading the same book, at the same time, with their families. The first year was E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan and last year was George Selden’s The Cricket in Times Square. Both books were fine, but not necessarily captivating. Neither The Boy nor I had any desire to quickly seek out more books by these authors (because I had already read Charlotte’s Web about 100 times). Summer of the Woods is this year’s book. Yes, I cheated. I read ahead, and on my own. I am not even sorry. But, there is one issue that I foresee. With the other two books it was very easy to read one chapter each day and then put the book down. I don’t see that being the case with this page-turner; but, as a reader, I honestly can’t see that as a bad thing.
I can’t wait to see what the kids think of this story, and I’m already very excited about Mr. Smith’s next book: Mystery on Church Hill.
As if by magic, Mr. Smith presents the perfect combination of nostalgia and modern day. This exemplifies the summers I remember. Freely roaming all around, turning over rocks in creeks, exploring woods and caves while our imaginations provided limitless adventures. Kids being kids. Good times, good stuff.
On the other hand, there are some pretty cool tools that we, as parents, have today, that I bet my folks would have welcomed. Google. Oh, how I love Google, as a mom. Kids will always be curious, and the “new” advantage of quickly answering their questions with information and pictures at your fingertips allows their little minds to just keep going and going. Which is why they are so darn smart, as brilliantly demonstrated in this story.
Two young boys move to Richmond, Virginia; into a large, old house, backed by woods and a winding creek. So, yes, I am a bit biased, but only because Mr. Smith captures the essence of my home so accurately and vividly. In no time at all, young Sam finds an old wheat penny, which leads them to the discovery of the legendary mystery. Supposedly, a valuable and rare coin collection was stolen from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts many, many years ago and was never recovered. As all good boys would do, the brothers make it their mission to solve the crime and recover the treasure. What follows is a classic adventure that you simply must experience.
I admit that I went into this book with high expectations. Not only was I not disappointed, but I was quite surprised to find so many things that I love about this book. The dialogue and teasing among the family is spot-on. The mystery was fun, interesting, and authentic. The boys’ emotions and actions are more than credible---these are typical 8 and 10 year old boys. The story flowed so smoothly that I actually read this in one sitting, although that wasn’t my plan when I picked it up.
Sidebar: For the 3rd consecutive year, all of the students in my son’s elementary school (K-5) will be reading the same book, at the same time, with their families. The first year was E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan and last year was George Selden’s The Cricket in Times Square. Both books were fine, but not necessarily captivating. Neither The Boy nor I had any desire to quickly seek out more books by these authors (because I had already read Charlotte’s Web about 100 times). Summer of the Woods is this year’s book. Yes, I cheated. I read ahead, and on my own. I am not even sorry. But, there is one issue that I foresee. With the other two books it was very easy to read one chapter each day and then put the book down. I don’t see that being the case with this page-turner; but, as a reader, I honestly can’t see that as a bad thing.
I can’t wait to see what the kids think of this story, and I’m already very excited about Mr. Smith’s next book: Mystery on Church Hill.
August 12, 2013
As a native Virginian, I was immediately attracted to this book, and the story did not disappoint. Smith writes in a perfect manner for kids, especially boys, and they will enjoy this adventure. Whenever you have buried treasure and a hunt, you can’t go wrong. I liked how Smith caught the innocence and excitement of being a kid off on an adventure. I also enjoyed his descriptions of the places the boys go. The writing is very much the style I remember from books when I was a kid.
The boys in the story learn a thing or two. They learn about nature, about coins, about conquering their fears. They learn some lessons too, but this isn’t done in a preachy way, just in a very natural one.
I definitely recommend this for boys and girls alike. If you have kids too young to read, this story, read by an adult, would be great for them as well.
Nikki Bennett
Nik's Picks Book Reviews
www.nikki-bennett.com
The boys in the story learn a thing or two. They learn about nature, about coins, about conquering their fears. They learn some lessons too, but this isn’t done in a preachy way, just in a very natural one.
I definitely recommend this for boys and girls alike. If you have kids too young to read, this story, read by an adult, would be great for them as well.
Nikki Bennett
Nik's Picks Book Reviews
www.nikki-bennett.com
January 30, 2019
Derek and Sam have recently moved to Virginia. While playing in the woods, they find an old wheat penny and are told a local legend about the robbery of vintage coins from the museum a few decades prior. The boys start to imagine how cool it would be to find the missing coins. Derek discovers a clue that might help them do just that.
This was a cute book. It wasn't one that I was asked to preview for our school library, but I think that it would be appropriate for 4th grade and up. There is no bad language, no hormones, and no violence. I thought the plot was a little boring, but perhaps a 4th grader would not be as critical as I am.
This was a cute book. It wasn't one that I was asked to preview for our school library, but I think that it would be appropriate for 4th grade and up. There is no bad language, no hormones, and no violence. I thought the plot was a little boring, but perhaps a 4th grader would not be as critical as I am.
February 1, 2014
Derek and Sam moved into a new house over the summer. While exploring the nearby woods, Sam finds a rare coin in a river, which they show to an elderly neighbor, who tells them a local legend about a guy who lived in their house who stole some other rare coins and hid them. After hearing the legend, the boys explore the forest for the stolen coins. Then, one night during a thunderstorm, Derek finds a map in their house. He thinks that it belonged to the coin thief. Derek and Sam decide to find the coins, no matter how dangerous it becomes!
Summer of the Woods is a great book for young kids who want a fun adventure. The book is a completely clean read for young readers, but also a very good choice for older kids too because of the story. Derek and Sam are nice boys who have unique personalities and are very believable. You come to care for them as the story is told. I enjoyed Mr. Smith’s description of the adventure the boys go on, though I felt it could have gone into some more detail and had a bit more conversation between the two boys in some places rather than narration (but that’s just my opinion). The story is unique and there is the right amount of mystery in it to keep the reader interested and wanting to find out what happens next. I read on Mr. Smith’s Amazon author page that this is his first book and I am adding his name to my list of authors to look for. I hope to read more of his books in the future.
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summer of the Woods is a great book for young kids who want a fun adventure. The book is a completely clean read for young readers, but also a very good choice for older kids too because of the story. Derek and Sam are nice boys who have unique personalities and are very believable. You come to care for them as the story is told. I enjoyed Mr. Smith’s description of the adventure the boys go on, though I felt it could have gone into some more detail and had a bit more conversation between the two boys in some places rather than narration (but that’s just my opinion). The story is unique and there is the right amount of mystery in it to keep the reader interested and wanting to find out what happens next. I read on Mr. Smith’s Amazon author page that this is his first book and I am adding his name to my list of authors to look for. I hope to read more of his books in the future.
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2022
For me characters felt believable and I really enjoyed this adventure. This kind of stories I have always enjoyed and it seems that I still do. I love mysteries :)
July 4, 2017
This is the first book of the Virginia Mysteries. It's meant for younger children and combines mystery with a history lesson.
When brothers Sam (8) and Derek (10) Johnson move from the north to an old house in the Virginia woods they discover many things. They learn about a robbery of old coins that happened many years earlier. The reader learns about the old coins too, especially the Indian Head Penny. The book is filled with the adventures the boys have exploring the woods and playing in the creek and finally discovering a cave.
This is a good series for younger children and an easy way to teach them some history effortlessly.
When brothers Sam (8) and Derek (10) Johnson move from the north to an old house in the Virginia woods they discover many things. They learn about a robbery of old coins that happened many years earlier. The reader learns about the old coins too, especially the Indian Head Penny. The book is filled with the adventures the boys have exploring the woods and playing in the creek and finally discovering a cave.
This is a good series for younger children and an easy way to teach them some history effortlessly.
October 27, 2018
This is a hard one to rate. For me, it was just ok - overly simplistic writing, characters I didn't care about, not a very exciting mystery. However, I feel like 8 year old me might have liked it a bit better.
September 5, 2025
Yes I read this to my 4th graders but it still counts. Pretty good, I wanted more pizazz but the kids were obsessed
January 23, 2014
*Goodreads First Reads Giveaway*
4.5/5.0
An interesting adventure book perfect for fourth through eighth graders.
This book is about two young boys that move into a new home which is surrounded by woods. Soon an adventure begins to unravel as they explore the woods and find a "unique coin". The brothers dig deeper and discover a truly remarkable tale that lies just beyond the coin.
I only have one criticism - there weren't any female characters in the book beyond the mother, who takes a very small role. I think that perhaps adding a sister to the family might bring a larger audience.
Thank you for the pleasure of letting me experience this book.
4.5/5.0
An interesting adventure book perfect for fourth through eighth graders.
This book is about two young boys that move into a new home which is surrounded by woods. Soon an adventure begins to unravel as they explore the woods and find a "unique coin". The brothers dig deeper and discover a truly remarkable tale that lies just beyond the coin.
I only have one criticism - there weren't any female characters in the book beyond the mother, who takes a very small role. I think that perhaps adding a sister to the family might bring a larger audience.
Thank you for the pleasure of letting me experience this book.
September 24, 2020
This was a read-aloud for bedtime for my 6-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son, both of whom loved it. There was some aspect of adventure in every chapter. I never felt like we were slogging through a slow part. We also laughed uproariously several times during the reading. There is a bit of a teachable moment in the plot line, but the story is in no way fixated on moralizing things. It's just a fun adventure story for kids. Just what we are looking for!
As a bonus, we've also added a new literary quote to our daily life: "Watch out for them holes!" (said in our best to southern accents!) So thanks for that, Steven K. Smith.
Looking forward to reading the next one.
As a bonus, we've also added a new literary quote to our daily life: "Watch out for them holes!" (said in our best to southern accents!) So thanks for that, Steven K. Smith.
Looking forward to reading the next one.
July 12, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars. This was an okay read for me. It’s definitely reminiscent of a Boxcar Children type story. The main characters in this story aren’t orphans, but the mystery is definitely something that put me in a mind of the boxcar mysteries. It’s a quick easy read that most kids would probably enjoy.
May 3, 2018
I only needed to read this for a challenge on book battle, and can possibly use it for the state challenge also. Okay if you are a kid. The boys really do discover a container of coins from a museum robbery many years ago.
May 19, 2022
Rebecka read this book out loud. Nice clean entertaining story. Easy read.
March 17, 2025
What a fun book! Definitely had Hardy boy vibes. My third graders are going to love the adventure and suspense of this novel. A new home with a creek running through the woods in the backyard, secret compartments in the house, the old man next door telling stories of lost coins, and two boys who love to explore = a perfect kids' novel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2021
The summer of the woods is so interesting I loved it ❤
August 23, 2022
Cute middle grades book about the punishments- but also the REWARDS- of disobedience.
December 9, 2020
Read aloud with the kids (ages 10, 8, and 6) and we all loved it!
October 20, 2014
Read the full review at Tales Between the PagesSummer of the Woods is a really good chapter book. The story is nicely told in 10 chapters, much like the Magic Treehouse books. The pacing is spot on and is sure to engage young readers and make them want "just one more chapter." I particularly enjoyed how different Sam and Derek are. Derek is very impulsive, ready to run head on into any adventure without thinking things through. Sam is more grounded and more willing to say, "Wait a minute. Let's think about this." Of course, Derek is older and often wins those arguments, but I enjoy how complex the boys are.
I think Summer of the Woods is a great book for younger middle-grade readers. It's a great stepping-stone book. They get all the benefits of longer chapters without all the fuss of a story line that is too complex. Both boys and girls can relate to Sam and Derek, which is something that surprised me. I half expected a book just for boys (not that there's anything wrong with that). What I found was that Smith's writing is more about the experience of being an adventurous child than about being an adventurous *boy.* Though boys will love this book, its lessons are equally applicable to girls too. Even though I think that, in general, girls need to read about strong girl characters, I also think that we need more middle-grade books that appeal to both boys *and* girls.
Perhaps one of the things I like most about Summer of the Woods is that Sam and Derek are independent but realize when it's time to throw in the towel and get mom and dad. For Derek, this realization comes a little late when he gets hurt after exploring a mine shaft alone in the wee hours of the morning. Though this is quite the dangerous situation, Smith does not glorify this kind of behavior. Derek's fear teaches him some valuable lessons about life, responsibility, and what it means to be 10.
Overall, I'm very pleased with Summer of the Woods. Smith makes learning fun by combining history and adventure together in a novel about a pair of brothers who just have to go explore the woods behind the house during the summer. The books is recommended for ages 7-12, which is a pretty accurate range. More advanced readers may find Summer of the Woods too easy but I'm willing to bet that they'll still enjoy the story.
I think Summer of the Woods is a great book for younger middle-grade readers. It's a great stepping-stone book. They get all the benefits of longer chapters without all the fuss of a story line that is too complex. Both boys and girls can relate to Sam and Derek, which is something that surprised me. I half expected a book just for boys (not that there's anything wrong with that). What I found was that Smith's writing is more about the experience of being an adventurous child than about being an adventurous *boy.* Though boys will love this book, its lessons are equally applicable to girls too. Even though I think that, in general, girls need to read about strong girl characters, I also think that we need more middle-grade books that appeal to both boys *and* girls.
Perhaps one of the things I like most about Summer of the Woods is that Sam and Derek are independent but realize when it's time to throw in the towel and get mom and dad. For Derek, this realization comes a little late when he gets hurt after exploring a mine shaft alone in the wee hours of the morning. Though this is quite the dangerous situation, Smith does not glorify this kind of behavior. Derek's fear teaches him some valuable lessons about life, responsibility, and what it means to be 10.
Overall, I'm very pleased with Summer of the Woods. Smith makes learning fun by combining history and adventure together in a novel about a pair of brothers who just have to go explore the woods behind the house during the summer. The books is recommended for ages 7-12, which is a pretty accurate range. More advanced readers may find Summer of the Woods too easy but I'm willing to bet that they'll still enjoy the story.
October 8, 2014
By Bree Wolf, author of Fireflies
What can I say? ‘Summer of the Woods’ is everything you’d want from an MG summer read. Derek and Sam, the engaging and authentic main characters, lead us through the woods behind their back yard and into a treasure hunt. Decades ago rare coins were stolen from the museum and who better to find them than two boys with too much free time on their hands.
Steven Smith writes in a way that makes the story come to life and almost jump of the page. I read page after page and felt saddened when I’d reached the end. I gotta get the next one of the series, there’s no question! Highly recommended!
What can I say? ‘Summer of the Woods’ is everything you’d want from an MG summer read. Derek and Sam, the engaging and authentic main characters, lead us through the woods behind their back yard and into a treasure hunt. Decades ago rare coins were stolen from the museum and who better to find them than two boys with too much free time on their hands.
Steven Smith writes in a way that makes the story come to life and almost jump of the page. I read page after page and felt saddened when I’d reached the end. I gotta get the next one of the series, there’s no question! Highly recommended!
February 19, 2025
My 11-year-old and 9-year-old gave this book 5 stars. It is a great kid's mystery. I was glad it didn't include darker elements of mystery. Varying discussions ranging from history, hobbies, and making wise decisions could come from this book. I think children younger than the suggested target audience would enjoy this book. I like that it's one of those books that anyone in the family could read or have read to them, and all can enjoy.
June 8, 2017
Disappointing. It's been awhile since I've read a kid mystery. I was expecting more. It was unrealistic given the age of the boys involved, they were too young to have accomplished what they did. The peril seemed contrived. The mystery did not carry much impact. Sorry, this was two negative reviews in a row for me. #crotchety
January 7, 2014
This was probably a book geared more towards young teens, but was a nice quick read...something I was looking for. Just fun to read about the adventures of Derek and Sam. Reminded me of some of my childhood adventures with my 3 brothers.
January 29, 2018
I pre-read this one as a possible read-aloud for the summer. It wasn't what I hoped it would be. There isn't anything wrong with the story, nor anything inappropriate. It's just not terribly exciting.
August 8, 2014
I received this book from a goodreads first reads program and I have to say, my kids LOVED it! They were asking me to keep reading to them long after it was time for them to go to bed.
February 28, 2024
It's very short but very interesting. I recommend this book.
June 24, 2024
Miles and Weston's favorite series
October 11, 2025
I've read a lot of juvenile mysteries and remain a fan of some, but this book is intended for a younger audience, and middle-level historical mysteries aren't something in which I have a good footing. The book has something of a nostalgic feel to it, as I believe the only nod to modern technology is a mention of Google and a laptop, and it reminded me a lot of my childhood exploring the woods on our property. The story itself is fairly straightforward, revolving around some valuable coins stolen from a museum many years before the story takes place. As an 8- to 10-year-old, especially one who was a bit of a numismatist at the time, I think I'd have liked the story. Plus, it's got an underground scene, a prerequisite in my opinion for a young people's mystery, and it was a quick read. My younger self may have given this book a 4-star rating. Old, crabby me is a different matter, though. The dialogue needed a bit of help here and there, as it didn't quite ring true for the ages portrayed. Still it wasn't nearly as bad as many other books I've read. Just a little advice from a good editor would've helped. There are a couple of wild coincidences that occur far too frequently in this type of book. A younger reader may not mind so much, but as an adult, I'm fairly critical of this kind of thing. Worse, there was actually a second, minor mystery that never comes close to being resolved. As this is a series, maybe that mystery is part of a larger story arc, and the resolution comes later on, though I have the feeling that it was simply an oversight. So, old, crabby me gives this book 2 stars. But with the 4-star rating from young me, that averages out to a respectable 3 stars. As this was the first book in the series, I'd imagine they improved from here. The end of this book included the first two chapters of the second entry in the series, and I have to admit that the teaser left me wanting to read more.
July 15, 2023
We have a Little Library on our street. My oldest, 30, is also a reader. He likes visiting the Little Library as well. He recently bought home Ghosts of Belle Isle. (Belle Isle has lots of history, trails to hike, and plaques to read plus a cool bridge to walk across to get too.) The book is #3 in The Virginia Mysteries series. It's a series that takes place in around Richmond, Virginia. We recently moved to Richmond 2 years ago. He read it. I wanted to read it next, but I couldn't start at #3. I ordered the first two books from my library. This is the first book, Summer of the Woods.
I love how the author, Steven K. Smith, has incorporated the city he lives in with the children's stories he wrote. There are 11 of them in total. This first one was written in 2013, 10 years ago. These are the stories he would tell his three sons and everyone can get to read them too.
Derek (10) and Sam's (8) family move from up north to Richmond. They move to an old home with the woods behind them (I wonder where that is?!). They discover from their cranky old neighbour, and finding a old mine in the woods, there's a 60 year old mystery of a valuable coin collection stolen from the local museum.
If you are from Virginia or live in Virginia, you'll know about the details in the story, and if you aren't, then you'll learn some interesting facts on this state. You'll also learn about coins, life lessons and have some good fun.
I love how the author, Steven K. Smith, has incorporated the city he lives in with the children's stories he wrote. There are 11 of them in total. This first one was written in 2013, 10 years ago. These are the stories he would tell his three sons and everyone can get to read them too.
Derek (10) and Sam's (8) family move from up north to Richmond. They move to an old home with the woods behind them (I wonder where that is?!). They discover from their cranky old neighbour, and finding a old mine in the woods, there's a 60 year old mystery of a valuable coin collection stolen from the local museum.
If you are from Virginia or live in Virginia, you'll know about the details in the story, and if you aren't, then you'll learn some interesting facts on this state. You'll also learn about coins, life lessons and have some good fun.
May 6, 2019
Excellent, easy to read and exciting first book in The Virginia Mysteries series by Indie author Steven K. Smith. I heard this author speak to a group of librarians just last week and I then purchased every book in the series so far for my elementary school library. Aimed at 3rd-5th graders, any reader will enjoy this book if they like history or adventure or both. The characters were likable and true to their age. This first book takes place near Richmond, Va , where the main characters (Derek and Sam) have just moved with their family. Their new house is actually very old and there are creepy woods behind the house. The boys learn about a lost coin collection that disappeared from the Virginia Museum more than 50 years ago. The prime suspect was a night watchman who had lived in their house. The boys follow clues and get into all kinds of danger. The other books have more history incorporated into the stories, so Virginia Social Studies teachers will be glad that readers can learn about places in Virginia while reading awesome mysteries.
Readers from outside Virginia will also enjoy the mysteries and maybe want to plan a trip to some of the sites mentioned in the books.
Readers from outside Virginia will also enjoy the mysteries and maybe want to plan a trip to some of the sites mentioned in the books.
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