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American Girl History Mysteries #1
The Smuggler's Treasure
Sent to live with relatives in New Orleans during the War of 1812, eleven-year-old Elisabet determines to find a smuggler's treasure to ransom her imprisoned father.
163 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
About the author
Sarah Masters Buckey
29 books48 followersSarah Masters Buckey was raised in New Jersey and lived in Texas for 15 years. Sarah was nominated for the Agatha Award in 2008 for A Thief in the Theater and in 2005 for The Curse of Ravenscourt. She was nominated for an Edgar Award in 2007 for The Stolen Sapphire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 14, 2016
Been forever since I read this book, but I remember I really liked it. :) I didn't have the whole series, but I enjoyed the ones I read very much! :)
February 5, 2013
I read The Smuggler's treasure and I think the theme is don't give up, because they kept trying and not finding anything but a lot of thinking and looking they found the clues.
November 9, 2016
An enjoyable historical mystery. It's a great book to look at through the Marxist critical lens :)
May 23, 2022
Great kids book, love seeing parts of history normally not referenced - not going to lie, I always love rereading my childhood favorites.
January 19, 2022
I can’t believe I forgot to write a review for this.
This one took me forreeeeeverrr to finish, but I think it’s less because of the book and more because…well, because I realized this series is going to be a lot like the Historical Character Mysteries, and I don’t know if I have the strength to get through another batch.
Anyway. This was pretty average. I read it once during childhood so I remembered parts of it.
Elisabet is a rich girl from Boston who is sent to live at her uncle’s bakery in New Orleans. Her mother is dead and her father has been captured by the British (I think this is the War of 1812?), so she is forced to sell all her possessions and find other relatives to care for her. She experiences a riches to rags transition as she goes from super-privileged, school-going, upper class girl who buys pastries with her daddy to dirty, uneducated, working class girl who sells pastries to other rich girls and their daddies.
The reader is meant to be critical of Elisabet’s classist attitude, but I want to point out that I found some of the other characters to be rather unbelievable. They’re basically like, “Hey, glad you got here okay after a super long and disorienting journey directly following a traumatic event, btw your uncle’s dead and your aunt is away right now, so we need you to work in the bakery first thing tomorrow, here’s where everything is, bet you can’t wait to be shouted at by unfamiliar strangers in the morning, oh and you DON’T want to share my bedroom? I’m offended and you clearly don’t care at all about this bakery, girl bye.”
I’m not saying Elisabet’s snobbery was justified, but I totally understood why she didn’t like these people at first. She’s never worked a day in her life and isn’t even given a moment’s rest after arriving? And all things considered, she adapted to her circumstances pretty well.
The mystery itself is about her uncle’s lost map of the Louisiana bayous, which is worth a fortune and could possibly pay her father’s ransom. We also meet Jean Lafitte at the end. It’s never clear from this book whether he’s a pirate or a law-abiding citizen like he claims.
Everything to do with the characterization felt spoon-fed and the mystery was pretty standard. It felt weird for the protagonist to have no personality traits. I’m hoping that’s not the case for the other books in the series.
This one took me forreeeeeverrr to finish, but I think it’s less because of the book and more because…well, because I realized this series is going to be a lot like the Historical Character Mysteries, and I don’t know if I have the strength to get through another batch.
Anyway. This was pretty average. I read it once during childhood so I remembered parts of it.
Elisabet is a rich girl from Boston who is sent to live at her uncle’s bakery in New Orleans. Her mother is dead and her father has been captured by the British (I think this is the War of 1812?), so she is forced to sell all her possessions and find other relatives to care for her. She experiences a riches to rags transition as she goes from super-privileged, school-going, upper class girl who buys pastries with her daddy to dirty, uneducated, working class girl who sells pastries to other rich girls and their daddies.
The reader is meant to be critical of Elisabet’s classist attitude, but I want to point out that I found some of the other characters to be rather unbelievable. They’re basically like, “Hey, glad you got here okay after a super long and disorienting journey directly following a traumatic event, btw your uncle’s dead and your aunt is away right now, so we need you to work in the bakery first thing tomorrow, here’s where everything is, bet you can’t wait to be shouted at by unfamiliar strangers in the morning, oh and you DON’T want to share my bedroom? I’m offended and you clearly don’t care at all about this bakery, girl bye.”
I’m not saying Elisabet’s snobbery was justified, but I totally understood why she didn’t like these people at first. She’s never worked a day in her life and isn’t even given a moment’s rest after arriving? And all things considered, she adapted to her circumstances pretty well.
The mystery itself is about her uncle’s lost map of the Louisiana bayous, which is worth a fortune and could possibly pay her father’s ransom. We also meet Jean Lafitte at the end. It’s never clear from this book whether he’s a pirate or a law-abiding citizen like he claims.
Everything to do with the characterization felt spoon-fed and the mystery was pretty standard. It felt weird for the protagonist to have no personality traits. I’m hoping that’s not the case for the other books in the series.
May 1, 2008
This is one of the American Girl History Mysteries. It's the tale of Elisabet Holder, an eleven-year-old Boston girl whose father has been impressed by the British navy in 1814. Her mother is dead and her guardian decides to send her off to live with and aunt and uncle in New Orleans. When she arrives there, she learns that her uncle has died while she was en route and that he has left behind a mystery--a map of the surrounding bayous that would be worth a pretty price to the local government, smugglers, and perhaps the British army. The mystery unravels while Elisabet struggles to make the transition from the daughter of an upper class Boston merchant to a working class, orphaned shop girl. While I was delighted to read a story that wasn't set on the Eastern Seaboard for a change, the story itself is rather pedestrian. Neither the characters nor the story drew me in, and the descriptions of the setting seemed rather lackluster. Still, it serves as waiting room material.
Read
October 15, 2023Loved these as a kid and found a set of three for a buck and couldn’t pass it up.
Honestly, kind of slapped. Elizabet starts out a bit of a brat, but she develops over the story. There’s a fun little mystery, Elizabet makes friends, and there’s a few moments of danger. Focus is placed on her understanding classicism by working a service job in a way that felt very relevant to today. The diversity of New Orleans is also emphasized (in language, background, race, and class) without feeling pandering or hiding the darker aspects of poverty.
Some of the exposition was heavy-handed even for a middle grade book and early book Elizabet was a bit irritating, but it finished strong and I loved her development and how the story let some figures remain morally complex.
Little me had good taste with this one. On to the next!
Honestly, kind of slapped. Elizabet starts out a bit of a brat, but she develops over the story. There’s a fun little mystery, Elizabet makes friends, and there’s a few moments of danger. Focus is placed on her understanding classicism by working a service job in a way that felt very relevant to today. The diversity of New Orleans is also emphasized (in language, background, race, and class) without feeling pandering or hiding the darker aspects of poverty.
Some of the exposition was heavy-handed even for a middle grade book and early book Elizabet was a bit irritating, but it finished strong and I loved her development and how the story let some figures remain morally complex.
Little me had good taste with this one. On to the next!
August 3, 2014
Marketed as "Intrigue for girls 10 and up" The Smuggler's Treasure seems to hit the right notes. A pleasant mystery set in a well-developed historical circumstance. Age and era appropriate notes on slavery, class and gender issues.
A good read.
A good read.
February 7, 2020
I loved these books as a 'tween'. I remember loving the way the matte covers felt, and they had a lovely new book smell that I can still remember while reading these. And, this series is well written and suspenseful, and the different time periods throughout keep it interesting. It's a personal goal of mine to read the whole series again this year.
March 15, 2014
There's a bit of classism at first and even when Elizabet starts to overcome that, she's still rather self-involved and not the most likeable.
August 20, 2012
Loved it! Recommended. 8+.
January 18, 2026
I remember loving this book as a child and am so happy I remembered enough to find it!
The only parts I remember was the map being hidden in the sign, and then her being chased through the rainy streets. Ooh, how my adrenaline was pumping! It’s one of the first books I remember being stressed out while I read it!
It was sweet, exciting, and satisfying. I love a hood treasure hunt, especially when clues are involved. I was only a little disappointed not to hear how they ended up dividing the money or how things ended with Raoul’s family, although that can all be easily assumed. I loved Mr. Robinson, but then I always seem to love the protective, stable character. Being protected by dogs is also one of my favourite things!
Favourite parts:
"Claude gave me money so we could buy pralines,"
Raoul announced. "I don't want to buy mine now, but you girls can get yours."
The girls each ordered two of the large pralines, and Elisabet discovered that the rich pecan candies were delicious. She eagerly devoured her whole treat.
Marie, however, ate only one of hers. "I am full," she told Raoul. She handed him the other praline. "Take this one to your sisters and brothers."
"Merci," he said, wrapping the candy in his handkerchief and pocketing it. He looked so grateful Elisabet wished she had saved him some, too. But if Raoul had wanted a praline, why hadn't he bought his own?
Later, when the two girls were up in their room together, she asked Marie, "Why did you give Raoul your praline? Were you really full?"
"Non, but I knew he was saving his candy money to give to his mother. He tries to give her every penny he can. He does not like to let people know, though.”
"As you wish, sir," Marie replied respectfully. For a moment Elisabet was confused. Was her friend just going to hand the map over? Marie gave the big man her sweetest smile and stood up with the map pouch in her hand. But when McCain stepped forward, Marie suddenly turned.
With a swift, powerful throw, she flung the pouch out the open French windows behind her.
"Elisabet, get it!" she screamed to her friend. Then she quickly blew out the candle the girls had used to illuminate the sign. The room was now in darkness.
Elisabet, who had maneuvered herself within a few feet of the door, took off down the stairs.
thougnt.
Driven by terror, Elisabet ran faster than she had ever run before. Yet after a few blocks, she felt herself tiring.
Her long skirt, growing heavy from the rain, weighed her down, and her heart was beating so hard she thought it would burst.Elisabet's hopes rose when she glimpsed the outline of a man on horseback just ahead. She was about to scream again for help when she saw it was not a man at all, but a statue. She had not paid attention to where she was going, but now she realized her instincts had taken her back to the Rue du Chevalier. Please, please, let me reach Mr. Robinson's house, she prayed.
She used her last burst of energy to turn the corner by the statue and sprint down the Rue du Chevalier. But it wasn't quite enough. As she ran, she could hear McCain's heavy breathing just a few steps behind her. He was gaining on her. She was almost in front of number seven when McCain leaped forward and caught her by the shoulder.
He jerked her off balance, and she tumbled into the muddy street.
"Mr. Robinson!" she cried as she fell, trying hard to be heard above the wind and the rain. "Mr. Robinson!"
…
Elisabet turned her head and closed her eyes. But the expected blow never came. Instead, she heard the loud howling of large, angry dogs. McCain cursed, then let go of her and staggered back.
Opening her eyes, she saw Mr. Robinson's dogs, Brutus and Caesar, jumping on McCain and snapping…
“…We all decided it was better for you to rest today."
"Thank you," Elisabet said, giving her friend a hug.
"Now you go upstairs and take a rest until supper. I'll take care of things here."
"Are you sure?" Marie said doubtfully. "The bakery is quiet now, but later-"
"Later it will be all right, too," Elisabet assured her.
(I instantly thought, they all stayed up too??! Why does she get to sleep?? But then she offers to let her friend sleep too 😅 I find stories often forget about reciprocity, so I loved that this wasn’t missed)
The only parts I remember was the map being hidden in the sign, and then her being chased through the rainy streets. Ooh, how my adrenaline was pumping! It’s one of the first books I remember being stressed out while I read it!
It was sweet, exciting, and satisfying. I love a hood treasure hunt, especially when clues are involved. I was only a little disappointed not to hear how they ended up dividing the money or how things ended with Raoul’s family, although that can all be easily assumed. I loved Mr. Robinson, but then I always seem to love the protective, stable character. Being protected by dogs is also one of my favourite things!
Favourite parts:
"Claude gave me money so we could buy pralines,"
Raoul announced. "I don't want to buy mine now, but you girls can get yours."
The girls each ordered two of the large pralines, and Elisabet discovered that the rich pecan candies were delicious. She eagerly devoured her whole treat.
Marie, however, ate only one of hers. "I am full," she told Raoul. She handed him the other praline. "Take this one to your sisters and brothers."
"Merci," he said, wrapping the candy in his handkerchief and pocketing it. He looked so grateful Elisabet wished she had saved him some, too. But if Raoul had wanted a praline, why hadn't he bought his own?
Later, when the two girls were up in their room together, she asked Marie, "Why did you give Raoul your praline? Were you really full?"
"Non, but I knew he was saving his candy money to give to his mother. He tries to give her every penny he can. He does not like to let people know, though.”
"As you wish, sir," Marie replied respectfully. For a moment Elisabet was confused. Was her friend just going to hand the map over? Marie gave the big man her sweetest smile and stood up with the map pouch in her hand. But when McCain stepped forward, Marie suddenly turned.
With a swift, powerful throw, she flung the pouch out the open French windows behind her.
"Elisabet, get it!" she screamed to her friend. Then she quickly blew out the candle the girls had used to illuminate the sign. The room was now in darkness.
Elisabet, who had maneuvered herself within a few feet of the door, took off down the stairs.
thougnt.
Driven by terror, Elisabet ran faster than she had ever run before. Yet after a few blocks, she felt herself tiring.
Her long skirt, growing heavy from the rain, weighed her down, and her heart was beating so hard she thought it would burst.Elisabet's hopes rose when she glimpsed the outline of a man on horseback just ahead. She was about to scream again for help when she saw it was not a man at all, but a statue. She had not paid attention to where she was going, but now she realized her instincts had taken her back to the Rue du Chevalier. Please, please, let me reach Mr. Robinson's house, she prayed.
She used her last burst of energy to turn the corner by the statue and sprint down the Rue du Chevalier. But it wasn't quite enough. As she ran, she could hear McCain's heavy breathing just a few steps behind her. He was gaining on her. She was almost in front of number seven when McCain leaped forward and caught her by the shoulder.
He jerked her off balance, and she tumbled into the muddy street.
"Mr. Robinson!" she cried as she fell, trying hard to be heard above the wind and the rain. "Mr. Robinson!"
…
Elisabet turned her head and closed her eyes. But the expected blow never came. Instead, she heard the loud howling of large, angry dogs. McCain cursed, then let go of her and staggered back.
Opening her eyes, she saw Mr. Robinson's dogs, Brutus and Caesar, jumping on McCain and snapping…
“…We all decided it was better for you to rest today."
"Thank you," Elisabet said, giving her friend a hug.
"Now you go upstairs and take a rest until supper. I'll take care of things here."
"Are you sure?" Marie said doubtfully. "The bakery is quiet now, but later-"
"Later it will be all right, too," Elisabet assured her.
(I instantly thought, they all stayed up too??! Why does she get to sleep?? But then she offers to let her friend sleep too 😅 I find stories often forget about reciprocity, so I loved that this wasn’t missed)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2017
I found this book by pure chance at a street fair this summer. I never knew about these books from American Girl's and now I'm going to be looking for more of them to read.
Elisabet starts off the book as a bit of a brat, but it actually makes a lot of sense. She's grown up the daughter of a wealthy ship's captain - with a fine house and servants and all the things that go with it. Now, she's been ripped away from that life and sent to live with her aunt and uncle in New Orleans. She expects that they live the same way she did in Boston. Upon arriving, she realizes that she is quite wrong in that expectation.
Not only is her uncle dead, but she's not going to a fine home with servants to wait on her. She's going to the home of a shopkeeper and she's going to have to learn how to work hard herself. Eventually, she makes friends with Marie and Raoul and Claude.
There were some things that didn't surprise me at all - the identity of the ghost, the fact that the story has a happy ending (this is a story from American Girl after all). Other things were a little surprising: just what the treasure was and how it's important to the story was a surprise. I also found it really amusing to see this little blond rich girl about Elisabet's age pop up: Caroline. Now, she was nothing like the Caroline that the same company had out a few years ago, but... it was still kind of funny.
Yeah... this book is great for the target audience: 10-13 year old girls. There's enough of a mystery there to get them thinking and the clues are there for them to solve it, along with Elisabet and Marie.
Elisabet starts off the book as a bit of a brat, but it actually makes a lot of sense. She's grown up the daughter of a wealthy ship's captain - with a fine house and servants and all the things that go with it. Now, she's been ripped away from that life and sent to live with her aunt and uncle in New Orleans. She expects that they live the same way she did in Boston. Upon arriving, she realizes that she is quite wrong in that expectation.
Not only is her uncle dead, but she's not going to a fine home with servants to wait on her. She's going to the home of a shopkeeper and she's going to have to learn how to work hard herself. Eventually, she makes friends with Marie and Raoul and Claude.
There were some things that didn't surprise me at all - the identity of the ghost, the fact that the story has a happy ending (this is a story from American Girl after all). Other things were a little surprising: just what the treasure was and how it's important to the story was a surprise. I also found it really amusing to see this little blond rich girl about Elisabet's age pop up: Caroline. Now, she was nothing like the Caroline that the same company had out a few years ago, but... it was still kind of funny.
Yeah... this book is great for the target audience: 10-13 year old girls. There's enough of a mystery there to get them thinking and the clues are there for them to solve it, along with Elisabet and Marie.
January 2, 2026
so have I never heard of these books. and when I found a set of six being sold at a bookshop for a very very cheap price I decided to get it just to see.
so overall it was a cute read. I do like the little mini history lesson that we get the back of the book and I do like that the setting is set in 1812 which is a very important year in American history yes it's not very well talked about. this is what I'm really liking about the American girl history books. they like to talk about times and history that may not get a ton of attention from other authors.
the story of Elizabet and her trying to find a treasure map and keep it from evil pirates so she can save her father while in New Orleans. it was a good solid story. I will say that Elizabeth kind of took a while to like. I get that she was dealing with the fact that her father was taking prisoner and her all her possessions had to be sold to pay for his debts and then she was sent to her uncle and Aunt to work at a bakery and she was used to being this rich girl so the idea of actually doing any work bothered her but at the same time she kind of came off as a little too spoiled for my taste but luckily she was only like that at the beginning of the book towards the middle and the end she got better and I start to root for her. overall a good read.
so overall it was a cute read. I do like the little mini history lesson that we get the back of the book and I do like that the setting is set in 1812 which is a very important year in American history yes it's not very well talked about. this is what I'm really liking about the American girl history books. they like to talk about times and history that may not get a ton of attention from other authors.
the story of Elizabet and her trying to find a treasure map and keep it from evil pirates so she can save her father while in New Orleans. it was a good solid story. I will say that Elizabeth kind of took a while to like. I get that she was dealing with the fact that her father was taking prisoner and her all her possessions had to be sold to pay for his debts and then she was sent to her uncle and Aunt to work at a bakery and she was used to being this rich girl so the idea of actually doing any work bothered her but at the same time she kind of came off as a little too spoiled for my taste but luckily she was only like that at the beginning of the book towards the middle and the end she got better and I start to root for her. overall a good read.
October 2, 2023
A decent, simple story. Better than I remember when I was growing up. Elisabet grows from being the selfish to hardworking and compassionate all the while trying to find and save her father.
The ending is great in that she gets to meet Jean Lafitte which was kinda funny. Pirates! The scandal!
All in all it was pretty good.
The ending is great in that she gets to meet Jean Lafitte which was kinda funny. Pirates! The scandal!
All in all it was pretty good.
June 12, 2026
It's the War of 1812, and a young American girl flees Boston to stay with relatives in LOLA. In hindsight, seems like a bad decision, doesn't it? She learns of a treasure in her new home, and she and some friends try to find it with some bad guys in opposition.
The descriptions of 1814 New Orleans are very well done.
The descriptions of 1814 New Orleans are very well done.
May 27, 2018
The American Girl series has been on the shelves for awhile. Recently realised the third in the series is an Edgar award winner. I started with the first. Pleasantly surprised to find that it is a fairly well written adventure mystery, with a short history brief at the end.
February 7, 2021
I believe I have read this one before and remembered the ending faintly. But it is quite good. Not as mystery with multiple possibilities and foes, but definitely good. I enjoy Elisabet's growth from spoiled brat to hard-worker. I really want to go to New Orleans.
December 5, 2022
Four stars for the nostalgia but it’s probably more like 3 for how well it holds up… I remembered certain scenes from reading it that gave me a chill when I was younger! I wonder if this could have been the start of my love of mysteries.
Read
March 3, 2025I almost dropped this book because Elisabet was a total brat at the beginning (and really for no good reason, in comparison to Rebecca in 'Enemy at the Fort', the last AG mystery I read at the time of this review). But it ended up being a pretty interesting read!
March 29, 2026
This was a read aloud to the kids. I loved this book as a 10-11 year old. This is the book that opened up my love of mysteries and historical fiction. It’s not the quite same intrigue as an adult,(😄) but it was fun to revisit with the kids.
July 18, 2018
I read this when I was a kid... and it scared the snot out of me. It’s very entertainedinf for that age bracket!
May 5, 2019
This is a great story. I recommend it for kids who like history and/or mysteries. Some parts are very intense, so I recommend they read it when the sun is still up.
April 27, 2020
I love this book
May 21, 2020
Really loved this mystery when I read it!
September 7, 2020
great little read Love those History mysteries
March 9, 2021
My students enjoyed this book about a young girl trying to rescue her father during the War of 1812. I enjoyed the mystery and history involved. Fun read.
December 28, 2022
The history mysteries are very interesting and rich with historical events.
September 28, 2023
love the pirates, but the main character is a bit annoying
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews