Iris is always keen for adventure. Her small town of Bugden just isn’t as big, or exciting enough to keep her there, now she is going to High
School next year. She tries to talk to her best friend Sam about it, but he’s perfectly happy doing the same old things every day. Iris feels she has outgrown both their little town and Sam.
A chance of escape comes with an acceptance letter to a school in the city, but Iris’ mum doesn’t even want to talk about it. Frustrated and angry, Iris spends the night in her beloved woods. Sam comes looking for her and together they find something strange – a dry riverbed that had plenty of water in it the day before. Where has the water gone?
Following the riverbed takes them on an adventure even Iris is amazed by. An entire town has appeared where the water once was. As a budding archaeologist, Iris is more excited than she’s been for years. Move over Howard Carter! She and Sam are going to be archaeologist mega stars! She wants to explore, but Sam is keen to be at an unveiling in town – they argue, and split up, Sam heading back to town.
While apart they both meet a stranger each. Sam’s stranger seems to understand his falling out with Iris, but something the stranger says has Sam running back to the mystery town. Iris is in danger!
From the eye catching cover to the stories of real life submerged towns around the world in the rear of the book, Treasure in the Lake is a great read for tween readers. Beginning with an old friendship that is struggling as the friends grow up, this adventure brings a mystery, an amazing discovery and the possibility of grander things for their future.
There is danger too however, and it is friendship that saves the day. It also helps a boy realise he is braver than he thought, and a girl see how important true friendship is.
Author / Illustrator – Jason Pamment
Age – 8+
Graphic Novel
Find Teacher’s Tips and a Book trailer here
(2021, Allen & Unwin, Graphic Novel, Comic, Mystery, danger, Courage, Friendship, Growing up, Coming of age, Change, Small town vs big city, Bored, Adventure, Strangers)