Treasure Mountain

by Evelyn Sibley Lampman, Richard Bennett (Illustrator)

Two Native American children search for a treasure left at Neahkahnie Mountain by Spanish ships more than 150 years ago. This novel of history and mystery has an exciting finish.

Genres: Historical Fiction

207 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

(1907-1980) Mrs. Lampman grew up in Dallas, Oregon, granddaughter of pioneers in that region. She graduated from Oregon State and worked for many years in radio. Her first book was published in 1948, and she was most recognized for sensitive books about racial minorities, especially Native Americans.

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evelyn Sibley Lampman is one of my favorite authors from the PNW, and I'm on a quest to read all of her books. This is a youth read, about a beach I've spent my life at on the Oregon coast. She's captured a legend every school bus full of kids has heard of if they've been lucky enough to be allowed a field trip in their school career.

There have even been a few amateur movies made, loosely based on the tale of pirate gold, treasure, and the murder that sealed it. This story is of a brother and sister, meeting their grandmother for the first time, and having to live with her - for their safety as well as hers. Well-told and soundly grounded in the hills and coastal forests of that area, I could just about smell the salt and the ocean spray in the air as I read it. I told myself I was just checking it out to see if it would be a good read for my grandma reads sessions. Finally I just gave in and read it through for me!

Particularly fun for me since it is about home, places familiar and loved.

[Georgene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a child and loved it! I was very happy when I found a copy of it when my children were young! Thus I was able to read it to them. I was born and raised in Oregon and have been both at the school the children were at and have been near the mountain where the story takes place. This is a good book to read to children ages 6-10.

[Rodger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have passed by the campus for the Chemawa Indian School in Salem Oregon many times and I've been curious to know more about Oregon's Indian history. This book is about two orphan kids (part Siletz Indian tribe, part white) who lived at the Chemawa Indian School dorms and ventured to visit their only known relative (a great aunt) on the Oregon Coast (just outside of Nehalem Oregon) to stay with her for the summer. They learn about a buried treasure somewhere on nearby Neahkahnie Mountain, hence the name of the book.

They refer to the great aunt as a 'Blanket Indian'. I didn't know this term and wasn't sure if it was kind to refer to someone that way. Per an online dictionary: Blanket Indian = an American Indian who retains or returns to tribal costume and custom.

The book probably takes place in the 1930s. It doesn't say for sure. I really appreciated some dialog that explains my own curiosity. They rightly noted that the Indian population was rapidly disappearing. Some moved away to reservations far away and others married and integrated with whites, so their culture, language and heritage gradually was lost. While it was probably rare to find a Blanket Indian then, it's all the more valuable today to read about such a character.

Content considerations: discrimination against indians and blacks.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of books when I was a kid, but this one stayed with me. When I found it as a reprint at the Oregon Historical Society I bought a copy and just finally got around to reading it again. It's historical fiction about a couple of Indian children who go to live with their quite old great aunt. The kids are very much a part of the modern world, but from their aunt they learn of the Indian ways and beliefs. A big part of the story is the legend of buried treasure on Neah-kah-nie Mountain. As an adult I still thought it was a good book.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child growing up in Oregon I read everything Evelyn Sibley Lampman wrote, and I'm sure that I must have read this one more than once. Now, as an adult, I find that it has stood the test of time. The story shows prejudice against Indians, but as coming from ignorance. The children behave realistically for any time, and the excitement of looking for buried treasure is conveyed beautifully. My interest now comes from spending time near Neahkanie Mountain, and I loved the descriptions of that part of Oregon. This would be a good family read-aloud.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I liked it, though it is very different from other Lampman titles. I admired Hoxie (13, turns 14 in book) and Irene (10), how they handled things when they turned out differently than expected. I liked how they built a relationship with Della and regained a part of their heritage. It didn't end how I expected, but it did make sense. I really liked the illustrations scattered throughout, Mike & Mr. Bliss, and the pet skunk.

CCs: Originally published in 1949 and has racial prejudices (how native views white men and vice versa, as well as negative toward blacks). Strong native religious views and discussions about "Old Indian God," a few statements about women's work or not doing something because male family members would disapprove.

Takeaway: I can see how it might not have aged well for a modern audience, but I did like reading about rediscovering where you come from and how/why your ancestors did things.