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Treasure Hunter #1
Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter
Indiana Jones meets The Lost Property Office in this action-packed mystery about a young girl searching for her father from the author of Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls—the first in a new series!
Having a world-traversing archaeologist dad means twelve-year-old Lola Benko is used to moving around and not putting down roots anywhere. But every day and every hunt for something hidden is an adventure, and no matter what, she and her dad are an unbeatable team.
Then her father disappears. The official story is that he was caught in a flash flood, but Lola’s research shows the day in question was perfectly pleasant. And it will take more than empty reassurances from suspect strangers for Lola to give up on her dad. She has a feeling his disappearance has to do with a mythical stone he was studying—a stone so powerful, it could control the world. But in the wrong hands, it could end it, too...
With the help of some new friends at her school, it’s up to Lola to go on the most important hunt of her life.
Having a world-traversing archaeologist dad means twelve-year-old Lola Benko is used to moving around and not putting down roots anywhere. But every day and every hunt for something hidden is an adventure, and no matter what, she and her dad are an unbeatable team.
Then her father disappears. The official story is that he was caught in a flash flood, but Lola’s research shows the day in question was perfectly pleasant. And it will take more than empty reassurances from suspect strangers for Lola to give up on her dad. She has a feeling his disappearance has to do with a mythical stone he was studying—a stone so powerful, it could control the world. But in the wrong hands, it could end it, too...
With the help of some new friends at her school, it’s up to Lola to go on the most important hunt of her life.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2020
21 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Beth McMullen
19 books225 followersBeth McMullen lives with her family and an assortment of pets in Davis, CA. She writes for adults and kids. Look for Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls from Aladdin/S&S in July 4, 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 25, 2020
If you put a book in my hands that is both Middle Grade and an adventure, you can pretty much guarantee that it’s going to be a good fit for me. As a middle grade reader, and even now, getting lost in a good adventure story is one of my favorite things. I love daring escapes, treasure hunts, and mission fraught with peril. In fact, who doesn’t love those things? It’s such a great way to spend a few hundred pages. This is why Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter caught my eye.
Now, the beginning of this book was spot on for me. I loved the idea of Lola traversing the world with her father, and building her whirlygigs as a means of distraction when they were stuck in one place too long. It seemed like her and her father had a wonderful relationship, and I loved that. I hoped to watch them go off on an adventure together, but then I remembered that the blurb told me he’d disappear. Alas. Still, I was excited to see what Lola, with her fierce personality, got up to once she was on her own. I wasn’t prepared for this girl.
Unfortunately, this is where the book and I had a little bit of a rough patch. Although I still loved Lola’s fierceness, when she left her father and started her new life it was tough to handle her. Although I know that most characters at this age would also be single minded and self centered about the things that they did, especially when it came to their family members, Lola’s callousness towards others dug a little deep for me. As I kept reading, and she started to grow a bit, I understood her better. In fact, I’m glad that she had her friends to keep her grounded. I’m not sure we would have been able to reconcile otherwise.
Once I was back on board with Lola’s antics, things did pick up, and the adventure that I was waiting for began. It takes about half the book for things to really get going, but it is actually worth the wait. My only concern was that, as an older reader, I can handle a slow start with no issue. As a middle grade reader, I might have struggled a little bit. Still, this is the first book in a series and the ending leads me to believe that there are lots of good things in store! So that makes me a very happy reader.
Long, rambling review in summary? Essentially this book sets up a new adventure series quite well! Although it was a little slow to start, the last half of the book flew by. Now that we have a glimpse into Lola’s life, and her brilliance, I’m ready to see what happens next.
Now, the beginning of this book was spot on for me. I loved the idea of Lola traversing the world with her father, and building her whirlygigs as a means of distraction when they were stuck in one place too long. It seemed like her and her father had a wonderful relationship, and I loved that. I hoped to watch them go off on an adventure together, but then I remembered that the blurb told me he’d disappear. Alas. Still, I was excited to see what Lola, with her fierce personality, got up to once she was on her own. I wasn’t prepared for this girl.
Unfortunately, this is where the book and I had a little bit of a rough patch. Although I still loved Lola’s fierceness, when she left her father and started her new life it was tough to handle her. Although I know that most characters at this age would also be single minded and self centered about the things that they did, especially when it came to their family members, Lola’s callousness towards others dug a little deep for me. As I kept reading, and she started to grow a bit, I understood her better. In fact, I’m glad that she had her friends to keep her grounded. I’m not sure we would have been able to reconcile otherwise.
Once I was back on board with Lola’s antics, things did pick up, and the adventure that I was waiting for began. It takes about half the book for things to really get going, but it is actually worth the wait. My only concern was that, as an older reader, I can handle a slow start with no issue. As a middle grade reader, I might have struggled a little bit. Still, this is the first book in a series and the ending leads me to believe that there are lots of good things in store! So that makes me a very happy reader.
Long, rambling review in summary? Essentially this book sets up a new adventure series quite well! Although it was a little slow to start, the last half of the book flew by. Now that we have a glimpse into Lola’s life, and her brilliance, I’m ready to see what happens next.
September 1, 2020
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I feel bad, but I honestly kind of hated Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter by Beth McMullen. The book, as a whole, held so much promise and delivered on exactly none of it. If you’re looking for an adventure-filled, Indiana Jones-esque tale about a young girl raised as an explorer/treasure hunter as she goes on an exciting and dangerous journey to find her missing father...this is not the book you want to read. And that fact alone is what truly killed any possibility of me enjoying this novel. It does not for one second live up to the promise made by its cover and synopsis. If I could describe this book in one word that word would be disappointing.
Lola Benko, Annoying Brat
Honestly, the worst part about this book is that Lola is an incredibly self-important snot.
She is completely dismissing of any adult input--all of the adults in this novel are also inept, which only makes it worse--and throws herself into ridiculous situations every time you turn the page. With the fact that McMullen is clearly trying to keep this story somewhat realistic, Lola's journey to find her missing father feels useless which only results in making the end feel very contrived.
There's very little to endear me to Lola as she comes off as an inept and narcissistic pre-teen who is convinced that she is the only competent person alive. This is kind of hilarious, too, since she is utterly inept at nearly everything she does. She reads like a girl playing at hero despite having none of the skills to actually do so. Thus, Lola ends up throwing herself and her "friends" into ever-increasingly dangerous situations that none of them are truly prepared to deal with.
I'll give McMullen credit here with the fact that she occasionally takes advantage of how useless Lola is and has her fail on numerous occasions, so at least Lola is realistic. That said, everything she succeeds at has more to do with luck than anything else thanks to the girl's lack of skills in a number of areas. I never really got the sense that Lola was smart, but rather that she had one moderate tinkering skill and just spent the rest of the book floundering and stumbling upon success at random intervals.
This, of course, led to some serious deus ex machina.
Making friends.
So, all of the kids in this story are kind of dumb. They're incredibly inept, making their attempt at an Indiana Jones -esque adventure really difficult to appreciate. Also, with the exception of perhaps Jin, none of the characters are really all that likable?
Lola is by far the worst. She only cares about finding her father, will use anyone she can to achieve this goal, is deeply inconsiderate and downright rude in nearly all of her thoughts, and doesn't ever actually do anything useful. She repeatedly stumbles across just what she needs simply by chance every time. And being inside her head for the entire book was honestly agony.
Jin, while not terrible, is hyper-focused on winning a competition and beating his arch-nemesis, a girl who is the only one he thinks might have a chance of beating him. This is practically his only motivation. His previous friend was kind of a bully, so he regularly repeats that he doesn't want to ever have an actual friend. And then he "befriends" Lola with the sole intent to use her tinkering skills to help him beat Hannah in the competition.
Hannah is just plain mean. Even when they become "friends" with her after she blackmails them, she continues to act awful. Part of me wants to feel bad because of the fact that she has to struggle through life, relying only on her academic accomplishments to further her position, but I just couldn't find much to like about her at all.
Lola's dad...
So, it's no wonder, really, that Lola is so inept. She clearly gets it from her father. Despite the fact that he's only in the book for a short period of time, it quickly becomes clear that Lola is able to accomplish more than he is. Granted, this is largely due to her luck and a ridiculous bit of magic that comes in out of nowhere--I guess sticking to that realistic thing made building an interesting story too difficult--but considering everything that happens I genuinely do have to wonder how he got himself kidnapped in the first place.
And then, despite the fact that he sent Lola to a relative when he began his treasure hunt for her safety, he is somehow perfectly happy to let her risk herself to save him and this stupid magic stone everyone is after. Way to be a responsible adult here.
The villain is a joke.
I know it's common in children's books and films for the villain to be ridiculous. I forgive it in a lot of instances. This one, though, blew the ineptness and ridiculousness of every villain I'd ever heard of and even the other characters in this novel completely out of the water. I honestly cannot with how much this antagonist was just a useless and stupid character. It was so bad I cringed every time they came back onto the page.
Also, the nickname, Lola. Really?
So...did I like anything?
Honestly, no. I mean, the cover is cool. And despite my hating Lola entirely, she looks awesome on it. I think my biggest problems with this book really come down to setting, though. Honestly, had Lola just somehow managed to sneak onto a plane and fly out to whatever place her father had last been seen and, I dunno, accidentally hijacked a few kids to help her along the way...a lot could have been better. I don't think I'd feel like she was incredibly inept had that been the case. Instead of everything falling into her lap, she would have had to actually do something to find her father.
I probably still would have disliked her, but I at least could have respected her.
As the book stands now, I hated everyone and no one really did anything.
I will say this much, though. I think there will be a lot of kids who love it. It's not written terribly and my complaints have more to do with convenient and unrealistic plot resolutions and awful characters than anything else. These aren't things that I think a lot of young readers are going to care about, much less recognize. By all accounts, your kid might love this book. I can probably think of students I know who would love this book.
If they grow up reading like I did, they'll recognize a lot of flaws in it later. But, at least there's a nostalgia factor with books like that.
Recommending?
Yeah, sure. It's not bad for the age it's written.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I feel bad, but I honestly kind of hated Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter by Beth McMullen. The book, as a whole, held so much promise and delivered on exactly none of it. If you’re looking for an adventure-filled, Indiana Jones-esque tale about a young girl raised as an explorer/treasure hunter as she goes on an exciting and dangerous journey to find her missing father...this is not the book you want to read. And that fact alone is what truly killed any possibility of me enjoying this novel. It does not for one second live up to the promise made by its cover and synopsis. If I could describe this book in one word that word would be disappointing.
Lola Benko, Annoying Brat
Honestly, the worst part about this book is that Lola is an incredibly self-important snot.
She is completely dismissing of any adult input--all of the adults in this novel are also inept, which only makes it worse--and throws herself into ridiculous situations every time you turn the page. With the fact that McMullen is clearly trying to keep this story somewhat realistic, Lola's journey to find her missing father feels useless which only results in making the end feel very contrived.
There's very little to endear me to Lola as she comes off as an inept and narcissistic pre-teen who is convinced that she is the only competent person alive. This is kind of hilarious, too, since she is utterly inept at nearly everything she does. She reads like a girl playing at hero despite having none of the skills to actually do so. Thus, Lola ends up throwing herself and her "friends" into ever-increasingly dangerous situations that none of them are truly prepared to deal with.
I'll give McMullen credit here with the fact that she occasionally takes advantage of how useless Lola is and has her fail on numerous occasions, so at least Lola is realistic. That said, everything she succeeds at has more to do with luck than anything else thanks to the girl's lack of skills in a number of areas. I never really got the sense that Lola was smart, but rather that she had one moderate tinkering skill and just spent the rest of the book floundering and stumbling upon success at random intervals.
This, of course, led to some serious deus ex machina.
Making friends.
So, all of the kids in this story are kind of dumb. They're incredibly inept, making their attempt at an Indiana Jones -esque adventure really difficult to appreciate. Also, with the exception of perhaps Jin, none of the characters are really all that likable?
Lola is by far the worst. She only cares about finding her father, will use anyone she can to achieve this goal, is deeply inconsiderate and downright rude in nearly all of her thoughts, and doesn't ever actually do anything useful. She repeatedly stumbles across just what she needs simply by chance every time. And being inside her head for the entire book was honestly agony.
Jin, while not terrible, is hyper-focused on winning a competition and beating his arch-nemesis, a girl who is the only one he thinks might have a chance of beating him. This is practically his only motivation. His previous friend was kind of a bully, so he regularly repeats that he doesn't want to ever have an actual friend. And then he "befriends" Lola with the sole intent to use her tinkering skills to help him beat Hannah in the competition.
Hannah is just plain mean. Even when they become "friends" with her after she blackmails them, she continues to act awful. Part of me wants to feel bad because of the fact that she has to struggle through life, relying only on her academic accomplishments to further her position, but I just couldn't find much to like about her at all.
Lola's dad...
So, it's no wonder, really, that Lola is so inept. She clearly gets it from her father. Despite the fact that he's only in the book for a short period of time, it quickly becomes clear that Lola is able to accomplish more than he is. Granted, this is largely due to her luck and a ridiculous bit of magic that comes in out of nowhere--I guess sticking to that realistic thing made building an interesting story too difficult--but considering everything that happens I genuinely do have to wonder how he got himself kidnapped in the first place.
And then, despite the fact that he sent Lola to a relative when he began his treasure hunt for her safety, he is somehow perfectly happy to let her risk herself to save him and this stupid magic stone everyone is after. Way to be a responsible adult here.
The villain is a joke.
I know it's common in children's books and films for the villain to be ridiculous. I forgive it in a lot of instances. This one, though, blew the ineptness and ridiculousness of every villain I'd ever heard of and even the other characters in this novel completely out of the water. I honestly cannot with how much this antagonist was just a useless and stupid character. It was so bad I cringed every time they came back onto the page.
Also, the nickname, Lola. Really?
So...did I like anything?
Honestly, no. I mean, the cover is cool. And despite my hating Lola entirely, she looks awesome on it. I think my biggest problems with this book really come down to setting, though. Honestly, had Lola just somehow managed to sneak onto a plane and fly out to whatever place her father had last been seen and, I dunno, accidentally hijacked a few kids to help her along the way...a lot could have been better. I don't think I'd feel like she was incredibly inept had that been the case. Instead of everything falling into her lap, she would have had to actually do something to find her father.
I probably still would have disliked her, but I at least could have respected her.
As the book stands now, I hated everyone and no one really did anything.
I will say this much, though. I think there will be a lot of kids who love it. It's not written terribly and my complaints have more to do with convenient and unrealistic plot resolutions and awful characters than anything else. These aren't things that I think a lot of young readers are going to care about, much less recognize. By all accounts, your kid might love this book. I can probably think of students I know who would love this book.
If they grow up reading like I did, they'll recognize a lot of flaws in it later. But, at least there's a nostalgia factor with books like that.
Recommending?
Yeah, sure. It's not bad for the age it's written.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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August 30, 2020
The story was great, as was the adventure, and the danger! Lola is one fearless young lady, except when it comes to furry four-legged rodents that pretty much no one likes to be around...especially in large numbers...not that that happens here for anything! *gulp* She's in this game to win it...though I'm sure she REALLY wished it WAS in fact a game because becoming an art thief, or wildlife kidnapper aren't really high on most kid's to-do lists, but the experiences land her where she didn't even know she needed to be to form the relationships she longed for with those she never expected to need (and vice versa!). Watching her explain away the decimated cast from her first venture gone wrong was giggle worthy, but the second time was definitely worth at least a guffaw! Her unwitting sidekicks and potential wielders of a magical artifact that does not in fact exist (or does it?) keep things rolling with their espionage, second guessing, and knack for uncovering things just when they need uncovering. I admit, for those paying attention and putting the pieces together, it's not a stretch to figure out what's what, what's where, and just how things slipped around the way they do, but exactly HOW they do and with whom are kept pretty well mum, adding greater depth to the mystery portion of the book...though that SHADOW persona was a bit on the tricky side!
All in all, a great kick off to a series I know I'll be keeping my eye on and I'm pretty sure many of you will be too! So add this little beaut to your upcoming must-read-list for an adventure filled with danger, friendship, and heart that you won't want to put down!
**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own
All in all, a great kick off to a series I know I'll be keeping my eye on and I'm pretty sure many of you will be too! So add this little beaut to your upcoming must-read-list for an adventure filled with danger, friendship, and heart that you won't want to put down!
**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own
August 25, 2020
This was a fun middle grade adventure story and although I enjoyed it I just didn't think it was adventurous enough for me.
Lola has travelled all over the world with her treasure hunting father. She has been to all sorts of schools and doesn't have any friends because she is never in one place long enough. Then her father all of a sudden tells her she is going to go and live with her great Aunt in California because he has something he needs to do that is to dangerous for her to tag along.
Not long after she is with her Aunt than two mysterious agents show up telling them that her father has died. Lola doesn't believe it so she decides she is going to try and figure out a way to prove her father is alive. The only thing is that it's expensive to travel so she has several mishaps with the law trying to find her father that lands her in Redwood her latest school. It's her last attempt to lead a normal life instead of ending up in jail.
While there she meets Jin who is all about winning the STEM competition against his nemesis Hannah who ends up blackmailing her way into their adventure when Lola tells Jin about not believing her father is dead. Then when the Lipstick lady shows up giving her a bit of a hint about things it sends them on a short lived adventure.
So lets talk about the characters. Maybe Lola will grow on me a bit more in the second book should I read it but she was a bit self absorbed and I didn't like the fact that she was basically a buddy criminal mastermind in the making and didn't see how what she was doing was damaging. Jin was fun but he had a hard time getting his head out of the I need to win the STEM contest so I can go to NASA mode to be very helpful. Hannah I think I liked her most of all the characters because I think she was just a bit misunderstood. She came from a bit more of a lower income family so being in Redwood and winning the STEM competition was something I think her mother wanted more than her but she nevertheless was very smart with electronics.
I thought I was going to be in for a fun adventure story where kids were going treasure hunting (see book title) but there really wasn't must adventure until you reach about 60% into the book. I am not going to stay it was all dull up until then but just not very adventurous as I was hoping it would be. Now with some things resolved in this book maybe the next one will be more adventurous (at least I assume there will be another one because of how it ended) and I really hope so as I would like to continue with the series but only time will tell how I feel by the time it comes out.
Despite all that I didn't hate the book I thought it was a decent middle grade book (though didn't like the criminal things the MC did) and I think that younger readers might enjoy it.
Lola has travelled all over the world with her treasure hunting father. She has been to all sorts of schools and doesn't have any friends because she is never in one place long enough. Then her father all of a sudden tells her she is going to go and live with her great Aunt in California because he has something he needs to do that is to dangerous for her to tag along.
Not long after she is with her Aunt than two mysterious agents show up telling them that her father has died. Lola doesn't believe it so she decides she is going to try and figure out a way to prove her father is alive. The only thing is that it's expensive to travel so she has several mishaps with the law trying to find her father that lands her in Redwood her latest school. It's her last attempt to lead a normal life instead of ending up in jail.
While there she meets Jin who is all about winning the STEM competition against his nemesis Hannah who ends up blackmailing her way into their adventure when Lola tells Jin about not believing her father is dead. Then when the Lipstick lady shows up giving her a bit of a hint about things it sends them on a short lived adventure.
So lets talk about the characters. Maybe Lola will grow on me a bit more in the second book should I read it but she was a bit self absorbed and I didn't like the fact that she was basically a buddy criminal mastermind in the making and didn't see how what she was doing was damaging. Jin was fun but he had a hard time getting his head out of the I need to win the STEM contest so I can go to NASA mode to be very helpful. Hannah I think I liked her most of all the characters because I think she was just a bit misunderstood. She came from a bit more of a lower income family so being in Redwood and winning the STEM competition was something I think her mother wanted more than her but she nevertheless was very smart with electronics.
I thought I was going to be in for a fun adventure story where kids were going treasure hunting (see book title) but there really wasn't must adventure until you reach about 60% into the book. I am not going to stay it was all dull up until then but just not very adventurous as I was hoping it would be. Now with some things resolved in this book maybe the next one will be more adventurous (at least I assume there will be another one because of how it ended) and I really hope so as I would like to continue with the series but only time will tell how I feel by the time it comes out.
Despite all that I didn't hate the book I thought it was a decent middle grade book (though didn't like the criminal things the MC did) and I think that younger readers might enjoy it.
September 13, 2022
This is the first book in a new adventure/treasure series. Fast moving, quirky and fun!
November 7, 2025
I had so much fun reading LOLA BENKO, TREASURE HUNTER! Lola is determined, clever, and I really liked her. The action is fast-paced, the lore intrigued me, and there were twists that kept me turning pages. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 20, 2024
Fun fast-paced book about a quest to find a father and oneself. I would have liked more mythology/archaeology but it was sufficient to drive the story. Excited for the next book in the series.
March 1, 2021
Lola is a blessed girl. At the age of 12 she has been all over the world with her dad who is an archaeologist. He sends her to San Francisco to live with his aunt because of his latest assignment. Lola isn't happy about being away from her father and when she gets the news that he has died she doesn't believe it. She begins stealing to get money to find her missing father and is sent to a private school because of the trouble she caused. Because of all the traveling she did with her father Lola has never had friends. She meets Jin who wants her to join him on a STEM Fair project but she gets him to promise to help her find her father if she does the project with him. Hannah has been Jim's STEM competition for years and soon she is on the team helping look for Lola's dad too. They find his notebook which gives them their first clue as to where he might be. The three form a strong friendship as they experience adventure as they look for Lola's dad and perhaps other missing artifacts.
I really enjoyed this book....twists and turns....I couldn't put it down. I really hope there are more Lola adventures in the future and I think young readers will love Lola as well.
I really enjoyed this book....twists and turns....I couldn't put it down. I really hope there are more Lola adventures in the future and I think young readers will love Lola as well.
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October 14, 2020Did you find this review helpful? Find more of my reviews at Pop! Goes The Reader!
As the daughter of world-renowned archeologist and treasure hunter, Professor Lawrence Benko, twelve-year-old Lola Benko has become accustomed to a life filled with adventure and unpredictability. From Estonia to Bucharest, from Prague to Mali, Lola has learned to live life out of a suitcase and expect the unexpected as she moves from one country and one school to the next. So, when Professor Benko is called away suddenly on a ‘stupendous’ and ‘extraordinary’ expedition to Budapest, the details of which he can’t disclose, Lola doesn’t think anything of it, and is even eager to spend time in San Fransisco with her Great-Aunt Irma and Irma’s companion, a grey parrot named Zeus, while her father is away. But when news of Professor Benko’s sudden death in a flash flood is related to Lola and Irma by agents employed by the United States State Department, Lola refuses to believe it. (“I informed them they were dead wrong about my dad being, well, dead. If some tragedy befell him, I’d feel it. And I didn’t feel anything but hungry.”) Even more unbelievable and suspicious are the agent’s enquiries about Professor’s Benko’s missing expedition notebooks and their insistence he was searching for the magic Stone of Istenanya when he died. After all, the Stone is nothing more than a fictional invention, a part of a fairytale Lola’s mother used to tell her. At least, that’s what Lola’s always been told. Now it’s up to Lola, and a couple of newfound friends, to uncover the truth about her father’s disappearance and the mysterious Stone before it’s too late.
While Lola’s description of her jet-setting adventures prior to the events of the novel sound exciting, the one thing she truly longs for is the stability her unpredictable life has always lacked. Lola dreams of a room of her own with bookshelves she can fill, a birthday cake with candles she can blow out, and friends to celebrate it all with. The latter is particularly important to Lola, and has always felt the most unattainable. After all, as Lola puts it, “Who wants to be BFFs with a girl who is just going to up and leave?” Moving to San Fransisco and eventually attending the prestigious Redwood Academy allows Lola her first glimpse of normalcy, filled with STEM fair inventions, homework, and the friends she has always hoped for. This change in circumstances is anything but smooth sailing for Lola, however, as she learns she no longer has the freedom she previously enjoyed, a particularly difficult truth as Lola must balance schoolwork and the supervision and expectations of others with her continuing question to find her father. Lola is impulsive and reckless, but this is largely because she’s also loyal and brave, and willing to go to any length to help those she cares about.
Ji Wu-Rossi, who is Lola’s new friend and who the reader grows to know almost as well as Lola, is also dealing with the complexities and nuances of friendship. At the beginning of the novel, we learn that Jin’s childhood friend, Paul, has recently moved away, leaving Jin with a “best-friend-sized hole” in his life. While Jin mourns the loss of his former best friend and clearly thinks highly of Paul, the glimpses the reader is given of Jin’s dynamic with Paul make it clear this was in no way a healthy or positive relationship. Among other things, Jin reveals to Lola that “Paul used to say I trusted too much in feelings and that was bad”, “Paul always tells me my ideas are stupid” and that “Paul yelled at me all the time”. Lola is quick to pick up on the toxicity of their relationship and the insecurities that Jin struggles with as a result, and is careful not to replicate Paul’s behaviour and is actively supportive of Jin’s ideas and the things he’s passionate about. After all, as Lola observes silently to herself, “aren’t best friends supposed to make you feel good about yourself?” It was touching to watch as two people reluctant to make friends – either for fear of rejection, judgement or the unknown – find unconditional acceptance and support in one another.
The first book in a new middle grade series, Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter lays a solid foundation for further books to come, establishing its cast of characters with clarity and giving readers an understanding of what they can expect from future instalments. The novel’s intriguing blend of mystery and adventure is sure to capture the imagination of young readers who enjoy puzzle-solving and stories of derring-do as Lola tries her hand at pilfering, escapes a sailing ship, and explores mysterious underground tunnels, each with varying degrees of success. McMullen’s unique twist on Hungarian mythology also adds a little bit of magic to a story otherwise rooted in realistic, contemporary issues faced by middle grade readers today. I don’t know what’s next in store for Lola Benko, though I would love to see the series deconstruct colonialism, which is unavoidably inherent in the practice of ‘treasure hunting’ and, in doing so, educate the next generation about the dangers of and harm caused by cultural appropriation and exploitation. There’s a great deal of potential to be found in Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter, and I would certainly be interested in tagging along with Lola, Jin and the rest of the gang on their next adventure.
As the daughter of world-renowned archeologist and treasure hunter, Professor Lawrence Benko, twelve-year-old Lola Benko has become accustomed to a life filled with adventure and unpredictability. From Estonia to Bucharest, from Prague to Mali, Lola has learned to live life out of a suitcase and expect the unexpected as she moves from one country and one school to the next. So, when Professor Benko is called away suddenly on a ‘stupendous’ and ‘extraordinary’ expedition to Budapest, the details of which he can’t disclose, Lola doesn’t think anything of it, and is even eager to spend time in San Fransisco with her Great-Aunt Irma and Irma’s companion, a grey parrot named Zeus, while her father is away. But when news of Professor Benko’s sudden death in a flash flood is related to Lola and Irma by agents employed by the United States State Department, Lola refuses to believe it. (“I informed them they were dead wrong about my dad being, well, dead. If some tragedy befell him, I’d feel it. And I didn’t feel anything but hungry.”) Even more unbelievable and suspicious are the agent’s enquiries about Professor’s Benko’s missing expedition notebooks and their insistence he was searching for the magic Stone of Istenanya when he died. After all, the Stone is nothing more than a fictional invention, a part of a fairytale Lola’s mother used to tell her. At least, that’s what Lola’s always been told. Now it’s up to Lola, and a couple of newfound friends, to uncover the truth about her father’s disappearance and the mysterious Stone before it’s too late.
While Lola’s description of her jet-setting adventures prior to the events of the novel sound exciting, the one thing she truly longs for is the stability her unpredictable life has always lacked. Lola dreams of a room of her own with bookshelves she can fill, a birthday cake with candles she can blow out, and friends to celebrate it all with. The latter is particularly important to Lola, and has always felt the most unattainable. After all, as Lola puts it, “Who wants to be BFFs with a girl who is just going to up and leave?” Moving to San Fransisco and eventually attending the prestigious Redwood Academy allows Lola her first glimpse of normalcy, filled with STEM fair inventions, homework, and the friends she has always hoped for. This change in circumstances is anything but smooth sailing for Lola, however, as she learns she no longer has the freedom she previously enjoyed, a particularly difficult truth as Lola must balance schoolwork and the supervision and expectations of others with her continuing question to find her father. Lola is impulsive and reckless, but this is largely because she’s also loyal and brave, and willing to go to any length to help those she cares about.
Ji Wu-Rossi, who is Lola’s new friend and who the reader grows to know almost as well as Lola, is also dealing with the complexities and nuances of friendship. At the beginning of the novel, we learn that Jin’s childhood friend, Paul, has recently moved away, leaving Jin with a “best-friend-sized hole” in his life. While Jin mourns the loss of his former best friend and clearly thinks highly of Paul, the glimpses the reader is given of Jin’s dynamic with Paul make it clear this was in no way a healthy or positive relationship. Among other things, Jin reveals to Lola that “Paul used to say I trusted too much in feelings and that was bad”, “Paul always tells me my ideas are stupid” and that “Paul yelled at me all the time”. Lola is quick to pick up on the toxicity of their relationship and the insecurities that Jin struggles with as a result, and is careful not to replicate Paul’s behaviour and is actively supportive of Jin’s ideas and the things he’s passionate about. After all, as Lola observes silently to herself, “aren’t best friends supposed to make you feel good about yourself?” It was touching to watch as two people reluctant to make friends – either for fear of rejection, judgement or the unknown – find unconditional acceptance and support in one another.
The first book in a new middle grade series, Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter lays a solid foundation for further books to come, establishing its cast of characters with clarity and giving readers an understanding of what they can expect from future instalments. The novel’s intriguing blend of mystery and adventure is sure to capture the imagination of young readers who enjoy puzzle-solving and stories of derring-do as Lola tries her hand at pilfering, escapes a sailing ship, and explores mysterious underground tunnels, each with varying degrees of success. McMullen’s unique twist on Hungarian mythology also adds a little bit of magic to a story otherwise rooted in realistic, contemporary issues faced by middle grade readers today. I don’t know what’s next in store for Lola Benko, though I would love to see the series deconstruct colonialism, which is unavoidably inherent in the practice of ‘treasure hunting’ and, in doing so, educate the next generation about the dangers of and harm caused by cultural appropriation and exploitation. There’s a great deal of potential to be found in Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter, and I would certainly be interested in tagging along with Lola, Jin and the rest of the gang on their next adventure.
October 10, 2020
Lola Benko has always traveled the world with her archaeologist father, but one day he sends her to stay with her great-aunt in San Francisco, rather than go with him on a dangerous trip. Soon after that, she gets the news that he has disappeared and is presumed dead. Lola is certain that her father is still alive, so she takes over the investigation that he was doing. Along with her new friends from school, she looks for the mythical stone that her father was searching for when he went missing.
This was a fun adventure story. Lola took a lot of risks. In order to start her investigation of her father’s disappearance, she needed money, so she decided to steal expensive pieces of art to sell for millions of dollars. This was a risky thing to do, and it didn’t work out for her. Even though Lola did some bad things with good intentions, she was very smart. She entered a STEM competition with her friends. She also invented many devices. She was a smart girl who took a lot of risks.
I found the twists predictable and not surprising. I’ve read many similar adventure books, so that may be why I could figure it out. This story also has the stereotypical absent parents. Lola’s great-aunt wasn’t very hands-on because she had agoraphobia, so she never left the house. However, she didn’t seem as concerned about Lola’s whereabouts by the end of the story. I would have liked her great-aunt to be more consistent throughout the story. I enjoyed the adventure that Lola went on, though the twists weren’t surprising.
This is a fun middle grade story!
Thank you Simon and Schuster for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun adventure story. Lola took a lot of risks. In order to start her investigation of her father’s disappearance, she needed money, so she decided to steal expensive pieces of art to sell for millions of dollars. This was a risky thing to do, and it didn’t work out for her. Even though Lola did some bad things with good intentions, she was very smart. She entered a STEM competition with her friends. She also invented many devices. She was a smart girl who took a lot of risks.
I found the twists predictable and not surprising. I’ve read many similar adventure books, so that may be why I could figure it out. This story also has the stereotypical absent parents. Lola’s great-aunt wasn’t very hands-on because she had agoraphobia, so she never left the house. However, she didn’t seem as concerned about Lola’s whereabouts by the end of the story. I would have liked her great-aunt to be more consistent throughout the story. I enjoyed the adventure that Lola went on, though the twists weren’t surprising.
This is a fun middle grade story!
Thank you Simon and Schuster for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2021
Middle grade action adventure with a female lead is just what the librarian ordered! McMullen credits her love of Raiders of the Lost Ark as her inspiration and the comparison holds true in regards to the fast pace, the ties to archaeology, and the hint of fantasy. Lola’s father is a renowned archaeologist and she has traveled the world with him for years, experiencing the thrill of exploration first hand. But her father’s latest quest and ultimate demise lands her in San Francisco, continuing that same search on her own. Incorporated into the expected bad guys, captures/escapes, and some cool techie tools, Lola discovers much about herself and finds both purpose and friends. Lola, her two friends Jin and Hannah, as well as Aunt Irma and even Zeus the parrot are distinctly and clearly developed characters that readers in grades 4-7 are sure to enjoy. This series opener leaves the door wide open for many more installments. Excellent choice for libraries serving the target audience with no concerns in areas of profanity or sexual content. Even the violence is almost non-existent. Representation: Lola and Hannah appear to be Caucasian, Jin is of Asian-Italian heritage.
Thanks for sharing an ARC with #BookAllies, Simon & Schuster.
Thanks for sharing an ARC with #BookAllies, Simon & Schuster.
August 25, 2021
Lola Benko and her archeologist father have traveled all over the world in search of artifacts, but suddenly, Lola's father sends her to live with her aunt in San Francisco where she receives a report that he has died. Lola doesn't believe that her father is dead and begins a campaign of illegal activities to fund her trip to find her father. Her last exploit lands her at strict private, Redwood Academy where she meets Jin with whom she makes a bargain; she will help him win the STEM fair at school if he will help her find her father. This bargain turns into a much bigger undertaking than either one of them could have imagined.
Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter features three very smart kids who use their intelligence to get them into and out of situations. These situations are both outrageous and hilarious, making this a fun and fast paced read. Lola's character is developed enough that the reader understands what she is feeling and why. Jin is an enjoyable foil for Lola as they work together to find Lola's father. The addition of Hannah to the story adds conflict and also a different perspective. Overall, Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter is a clever beginning to this new series.
Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter features three very smart kids who use their intelligence to get them into and out of situations. These situations are both outrageous and hilarious, making this a fun and fast paced read. Lola's character is developed enough that the reader understands what she is feeling and why. Jin is an enjoyable foil for Lola as they work together to find Lola's father. The addition of Hannah to the story adds conflict and also a different perspective. Overall, Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter is a clever beginning to this new series.
August 19, 2020
4.5 Stars
Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter is such an enjoyable read. Beth McMullen’s characters, especially Lola, are well-developed and a joy to follow. Their capers are just the right mix of danger, adventure, mystery and humor.
What I appreciated the most, though, was McMullen’s ability to make something that should be implausible seem perfectly normal. Even as an adult, I didn’t question the plot, I just ran with it. It was a blast.
I wish Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter had been released a few weeks ago. With school starting up, there will be less time for “fun” reading, and that’s a shame. This book is just the escape readers have been looking for.
On the other hand, it’s a good option for any “free reading” teachers may offer/require, and it also would make a great birthday, holiday or just because gift.
This is the first book in a planned series, and I can’t wait to read more of Lola’s adventures.
Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter is such an enjoyable read. Beth McMullen’s characters, especially Lola, are well-developed and a joy to follow. Their capers are just the right mix of danger, adventure, mystery and humor.
What I appreciated the most, though, was McMullen’s ability to make something that should be implausible seem perfectly normal. Even as an adult, I didn’t question the plot, I just ran with it. It was a blast.
I wish Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter had been released a few weeks ago. With school starting up, there will be less time for “fun” reading, and that’s a shame. This book is just the escape readers have been looking for.
On the other hand, it’s a good option for any “free reading” teachers may offer/require, and it also would make a great birthday, holiday or just because gift.
This is the first book in a planned series, and I can’t wait to read more of Lola’s adventures.
June 5, 2022
Lola Benko travels with her father everywhere. Her father hunts down treasures, a real-life archeologist. Just as they are settling in to another, different hotel room, her father tells Lola that she must return state-side to live with her Great-aunt Irma. It is when she has settled in there, that she soon learns from Fish and Star that he father is dead. He had been hunting the Istenanya Stone, a magic stone from a fairy tale. He had disappeared.
Lola is convinced that her father is not dead and she begins a quest to find him. Along the way she finds friendship, something she has never experienced before because she has never gone to school before, nor has she ever stayed in one place long enough to get to know anyone.
The adventures are full of humor, danger, crazy stints, bad guys, rats, etc. It is a quality tale for middle schoolers.
Lola is convinced that her father is not dead and she begins a quest to find him. Along the way she finds friendship, something she has never experienced before because she has never gone to school before, nor has she ever stayed in one place long enough to get to know anyone.
The adventures are full of humor, danger, crazy stints, bad guys, rats, etc. It is a quality tale for middle schoolers.
August 30, 2020
Thank you to the author for sharing a copy with Collabookation.
I loved- and more importantly, I predict kids with love- Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter. Fast-paced, fun adventures with a touch of introspection too. Lola knows, despite being told the contrary, that her father was NOT killed of his most recent mission. But in her quest to find and rescue him, she uncovers a sinister plot to dominate the world.
Lola is hilarious, and even though she’s never really had friends, she learns a lot about what friendship means during her adventures.
I plan on recommending Lola Benko to students who love adventures - and I’m hoping there are more Lola adventures to come!
I loved- and more importantly, I predict kids with love- Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter. Fast-paced, fun adventures with a touch of introspection too. Lola knows, despite being told the contrary, that her father was NOT killed of his most recent mission. But in her quest to find and rescue him, she uncovers a sinister plot to dominate the world.
Lola is hilarious, and even though she’s never really had friends, she learns a lot about what friendship means during her adventures.
I plan on recommending Lola Benko to students who love adventures - and I’m hoping there are more Lola adventures to come!
September 20, 2020
Lola’s dad sends her home to her great-aunt while he goes off in search of treasure. He ends up missing and presumed dead. Lola doesn’t believe it, so she decides to steal art to finance her travel to find him. She ends up going to a school instead of jail. As she makes friends she is still trying to find her father and is trading her invention skills for the STEM fair for their help with breaking and entering a storage locker. As the story goes on the adventure gets stronger and the theme of friendship and family is proven.
Great middle grade read. Reminded me a little Indiana Jones or Laura Croft. Looking forward to the next one, as the ending left it open to continue!
Great middle grade read. Reminded me a little Indiana Jones or Laura Croft. Looking forward to the next one, as the ending left it open to continue!
July 8, 2021
This book is the perfect adventure for middle grade readers. Fast-paced, action-packed, and lots of fun. I love that Beth McMullen's books suspend reality just a little bit and the shenanigans never stop. Who knew 13 year olds could save the world and defeat millionaire villains? Kids will eat it up. Lola's actions are over the top, but make for a great adventure! This books sets up for a great series with Lola's newfound friends as a fabulous, STEM-designing, magical-artifact-finding team. The dialogue is witty and 7th grade characters appeal to the older middle grade audience. The length is manageable for a variety of readers. I look forward to more in this series. #LitReviewCrew
June 29, 2021
Review on Middle Grade Minded on 6/28/2021. (middlegrademinded.blogspot.com)
Lola Benko travels the world with her archeologist dad. She's used to hopping around the globe with no place to call home. But when her dad mysteriously sends her to live with her great-aunt Irma and is thought to have died trying to recover his next artifact, Lola swears he's still alive. She will stop at nothing to find her father even if it means getting caught stealing expensive art from a rich mansion. But if she's to uncover the truth she'll have to trust kids her own age and she's used to doing things on her own.
Lola is a fantastic character, she's into STEM and likes to invent things and dives in head first often without a plan which makes her lovable even in her mistakes. Unfortunately Lola Benko didn't have the world travels and Indiana Jones style treasure hunts I expected but it did have a lot of heart and some fun and sometimes unexpected middle of the night adventures that often went sideways before the characters were able to get themselves out of the mess created. Lola's friends Hannah and Jin are believable and help level and challenge Lola as a character. And the ending had a nice wrap up while also opening the door for the sequel.
I recommend to all middle grade readers looking for a little adventure with a side of mischief and fun that doesn't always go according to plan.
ARC generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Lola Benko travels the world with her archeologist dad. She's used to hopping around the globe with no place to call home. But when her dad mysteriously sends her to live with her great-aunt Irma and is thought to have died trying to recover his next artifact, Lola swears he's still alive. She will stop at nothing to find her father even if it means getting caught stealing expensive art from a rich mansion. But if she's to uncover the truth she'll have to trust kids her own age and she's used to doing things on her own.
Lola is a fantastic character, she's into STEM and likes to invent things and dives in head first often without a plan which makes her lovable even in her mistakes. Unfortunately Lola Benko didn't have the world travels and Indiana Jones style treasure hunts I expected but it did have a lot of heart and some fun and sometimes unexpected middle of the night adventures that often went sideways before the characters were able to get themselves out of the mess created. Lola's friends Hannah and Jin are believable and help level and challenge Lola as a character. And the ending had a nice wrap up while also opening the door for the sequel.
I recommend to all middle grade readers looking for a little adventure with a side of mischief and fun that doesn't always go according to plan.
ARC generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2023
I felt some of the reviews on this book were a little harsh as I got the impression a lot of readers are forgetting that this is written for middle school readers.
With that said though I still felt that the story was really predictable and that’s really the main reason I gave this only 3 stars.
But overall not a bad story for the elementary and middle school readers. An adult reader or even young adult reader would probably be bored.
With that said though I still felt that the story was really predictable and that’s really the main reason I gave this only 3 stars.
But overall not a bad story for the elementary and middle school readers. An adult reader or even young adult reader would probably be bored.
September 30, 2020
3.5 stars. This was a super-cute adventure story and my middle-grade nieces will love it. As an adult I’m a little put off by just HOW precocious a 7th grader is, but that’s a genre problem not a this-specific-book problem.
October 8, 2021
When I read a book by Beth McMullen, I look forward to humor; snappy dialogue; and likable, multidimensional characters. With LOLA BENKO, TREASURE HUNTER, I wasn't disappointed. As soon as I finished, I dove straight in and started book 2 (and I'm already hoping there will be a 3rd!).
January 31, 2024
Put aside analysis and judgement. Chose the audiobook format and just dive in to enjoy the adventure, characters and fine writing. Narrator Rachel Leblang’s performance elevated the rating to 5 stars for me. Reviewed by a young at heart adult.
February 12, 2021
Not my favorite book. But I have to say it was an interesting read.
It had an adventurous feel. I wish Lola was less of a rebel though.
It had an adventurous feel. I wish Lola was less of a rebel though.
April 25, 2021
B. fiction, teen, adventure, series (Treasure Hunter, #1)
August 21, 2021
Amazing! I couldn’t put it down! I can’t wait to read book 2 of the series!
September 23, 2021
Fun, quick adventure read for me! Need to find #2!
December 13, 2021
I think it was a really good book, it was mysterious and fun to read.
August 21, 2022
This book is ok but I would not read it again. I didn't like the parts about the inventing. I think if you like books about adventure you will like, but for people who don't I do not recomened it.
October 25, 2022
I wasn’t on the edge of my seat or laughing much but it was on a list of books so I read it. Just a remake story it was fine just not really what I would feel good reading. It’s a fine book though
January 14, 2023
really wanted to like it and the cover looked cool but once i started it just didnt draw me in and Lola's decisions and such just seemed weird and random:(
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