The Plunder Down Under

Treasure Hunters #7

by James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein, Juliana Neufeld (Illustrations)

The Kidds' parents are in trouble once again and the kids must traverse the Australian Outback, recover a pair of stolen gems, and defeat treasure hunting pirates to save them!
The Kidd family is on their way to Australia to find Lasseter's Gold when they are challenged by fellow treasure hunter Charlotte Badger, who challenges them to a race to the gold! But when the Kidds pull into port in Australia, their parents are suddenly arrested-they've been framed! It turns out Charlotte Badger is a pirate, and she's planted a priceless stolen black opal on the Kidds' ship, The Lost!
Now Bick, Beck, Storm and Tommy have seven days to traverse the Australian Outback, find Charlotte Badger and her pirate cronies, and bring back the evidence that will prove their parents innocent. If they fail, their parents will be found guilty and thrown in prison...forever!

Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Geography, Family, Pirates

336 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2020

About the author

Official US Site
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JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kidds are back for another adventure in treasure hunting. This time, they are heading down to Australia with the hope of finding Lasseter's Gold, a longtime lost treasure. They run into trouble with some competition in the form of a trio of pirates led by Charlotte Badger. The problem is that when they arrive in Australia, the parents of the family have been arrested after having been framed in a decade-old theft of opals by Charlotte herself.

That leaves the Kidd kids once again largely on their own as they race around the continent to both find Lasseter's Gold and the missing opals so their parents don't end up stuck in prison for the rest of their lives.

Humor and adventure fill the pages, which has made the series so interesting. Fans will not be disappointed in this quick read. The series is filled with tropes that keep the pages turning. Readers will not want to put the book down.

[Jessica Van Tassell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy these, but being stuck in America with no international travel to look forward to, I loved it even more.

[William Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun. I really liked the character of Charlotte Badger. Her attitude is kind of sassy and angry.

[Kristi Drillien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I noted several formulaic repetitions in this book, I tried to be objective in how I viewed the book. For example, if I were reading this book without having read the previous books in the series, would I have enjoyed it more? Possibly. However, it is the 7th book in a series, which means of course the authors need to write at least as much for the people who have already read the rest of the books. And really, even if I were reading this book apart from the rest, I would wonder why every treasure hunter in the book feels the need to tell everyone they encounter what they're looking for. It seems completely unlikely, and it's no wonder all of these treasure hunters end up tripping over each other to get the same loot.

Right off the bat, Tommy does something ridiculously stupid in the name of "love," and though his parents could easily correct it by simply laughing off what he said and not showing the person they just met their most secret treasure room, they do it anyway, I guess because it would be rude not to? I don't get it, but it's not the first time I've felt that way while reading this series.

I did give this book a little higher rating than the last few, so on the plus side, I appreciated the little bit of history of Australia and the aboriginal people that was provided. It was also nice that the kids got to do a lot more of their own adventuring (with their uncle, who gives them a lot more leeway than their parents do) this time. I also appreciate that the Twin Tirades seem to have been toned down a little, which is ironic, since they turn into "quadruple" tirades in this book...but maybe there just aren't as many of them. Or maybe it has to do with me switching from audiobooks to reading for myself, though I did that a few books back. Though I'm not the targeted audience for this book, I feel like it is the kind of children's book that treats kids like...well, like kids, but not in a good way. I really don't feel comfortable recommending this book or its predecessors to any age group. However, there are far more positive reviews for this book than negative, so I'm in the minority (I'm used to it). Please do check out other reviews for the book if you're interested.

[Samantha Yaremchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

really great book! the Kidds are sailing searching for treasure. everything is going well until Bick and Beck launch into an underwater twin tirade. they go rogue and swim to find the treasure, finding out what they saw had only been a fish. suddenly they both get caught by a giant octopus. Tommy their older brother swims to their rescue. the find the treasure they were searching for and swim back up to their boat. when they get back to the boat they meet pirates. The captain of the three pirates is named charlotte. They act very kindly at first and so the Kidds trust them, little do they know it's a big mistake. The pirates want the treasure the Kidds are after next. While charlotte distracts the family the other two pirates shred the sails. The kids spring into action and manage to make it to where they wanted to be but charlotte has one more surprise. they stop at the boatload and people come on deck to inspect the boat. charlotte put stolen art on their boat and the parents take the blame. the Kidds have to figure out a way to free their parents.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It was a super quick read with a bit larger font size. There's a disclaimer that if you don't enjoy the book, you must be an adult. Well, I am and I guess maybe that's why it rings true.

I honestly could not get over the focus on the appearances of the characters. Charlotte Badger's dreadlocks were mentioned at minimum six times and there was a focus on the Tanzanian Twins' darker skin and how they were looked at differently because of it. It was noted so much that it made me uncomfortable.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As there is a bit of a challenge at the beginning of this book that claims that if the reader doesn't like the story then they must be an adult. I am going to shout from the rooftops that I am an ADULT and I LOVED this book. I can't wait to pass it on to my friend who teaches 2nd grade. :) I am also a letter-boxer (scavenger hunts) that loves to take anyone I can find on my adventures so this is completely my idea of fun!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes the Kidd family south of the equator to Australia. They battle pirates and customs officials. The kids and their uncle have the adventure while their parents are detained.
It felt like this one was sillier than previous books. I liked it all right but some of the earlier adventures have more substance.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner as the Kidd kids try to save there world famous treasure hunter parents who have been framed for stealing one of the three famous opals of Australia and find the lost reef of gold all by themselves! You will definitely be staying up at night to read Treasure Hunters: The Plunder Down Under.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love this fun YA series. Full of adventure, humor, family loyalty and snarky teenagers, what more could a kid (or a young thinking adult) want!? This family travels the world looking for treasure...all the while scraping with each other, being there for each other and imparting interesting facts about the places their visiting and/or looking for.

[Mitch Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUPERB BOOK!!!!

I absolutely adored this book. It has such interesting facts and is still an amazing fiction book. I learn so much and I just cannot stop. My only problem with the book is that I cannot stop reading. I would defiantly recommend this outstanding book!!

[Karin Hawkins, MD, Maj, USAF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories!

I love the treasure hunters books! Great stories and lessons. Tons of action, laughs, and friendships. I recommend this book to everybody who likes those things. Five stars really fits the everything about the book!

[Yaduraj Choudhary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book in the series! Loved it!

[Erin Kogler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun series for kids who wants a quick and fast-paced adventure story.

[Darby]

i love this series of books. full of adventure and laughs.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kids have to find out who set up their parents as thieves, in Australia.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

lots of history and culture about Australia and the Aboriginal people.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

E super tare, va recomand sa citiți toate volumele, chiar merita te atrage

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Treasure Hunters Series. I really liked this book, it seems like there will be books coming. I hope so!

[Phylicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great story! Some side twists were really surprising. Nicely rounded out!!!

[Zayd Tarjuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book the most out of the whole entire series. I think that everyone will like this book too. This is the last book in the entire series.

[harveennn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book!

[Maddox Rebling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max, this is also not a spoiler.

[Ginger Mcclintick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are redundant. It’s starting to get boring for my kid.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comparable to the rest!

[David Erkale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than the previous, to be honest. Although I still wonder what Storm's problem is with her real name.