Ten Mile Treasure

by Andre Norton

Desert Adventure!

When Christie Kimball and her family start a new life on a run-down Arizona ranch--once a bustling stagecoach stop in the Old West--their lives take an unexpected turn.

Christie and her brother Neal have a secret plan to transform the old ranch into a money-making tourist attraction for the motel their father wants to build.

But when the Kimball kids and their Navajo friends go exploring in the desert and stumble on a mysterious treasure chest hidden deep in a cave--the real adventure begins...

Soon a Ghost Town, a long-lost letter, and a concealed valley carry Christie and Neal into a lot more excitement than they ever dreamed possible.

Genres: Adventure, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1981

About the author

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, old fashioned adventure reminiscent of the Enid Blyton adventure books of the 40’s and 50’s. I loved the wise, kind parents in both families and the lively, vivid children. Lots of interesting information about history and mining which might have been a bit dry for some kids. And the poor cat dragged from pillar to post on a leash and stuffed in baskets and boxes snarling and scratching. Goodness, I wanted to call the SPCA.

[Solim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars. It had some adventure/treasure hunting moments but then it was bogged down by family drama and legal threats. It is a young adult story and I think I was sold by the cover. Should have read the synopsis.

[ron/deb sharp · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book is for young readers

I wish I knew before purchasing that it was written for preteen readers. I would not have purchesed it. I have always enjoyed Mr Nortons books of which I have read many.

[Robert Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read an quite different from Nortons usual fantasy and sci-fi. It was very reminiscent of the kids mystery stories that were popular back in the 50's and early 60's.

[A Hoppy Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
The characters were a bit younger than I expected. A not quite mystery set in the southwest.

[Valerie]

The mysteries in this book are barely scratched. The hero of the book is a museum-quality doll.

This book is less violent than most of Norton's books, perhaps because it's set in our world in (more or less) the present day. Killings are done offstage, often in the far past. There are implacable enemies, but they're essentially short-circuited using the law and publicity.

I have to say that I think the newcomers' plan is ill-considered from the start. The old station was the only dependable source of water in ten miles radius (hence the name). The water is evidently fossil water, from an aquifer. Aquifers in general tend to be very
slow-filling, but the ones in Arizona are also generally not being recharged at all. They got their water originally from glacial lakes that have long since vanished, and their refill zones are silted up, so even if there WERE more water, it wouldn't get to the aquifer. The water lasted for years when the only users were the occasional stagecoach and the station staff--but continual drainage by motel visitors might very well use it up. Then what?

[Sandra Munger · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her books for children. Christi, Neal and the twins are moving to Arizona because their father lost his job. He's gone into partnership to open a tourist destination. Working with local children Libby and Tolliver, they discover a treasure, solve a mystery and possibly save the resort. As always, good characters.