The Smuggler's Treasure

At first I was a little skeptic about this book; I thought it was slow in the beginning. But as soon as I got farther and farther into it, I realized it was really cool. It's informative and suspenseful. It's also unique... you barely read books where the main character works in a bakery! Elisabet Holder's father is kidnapped by the British in the war of 1812. Because she has no other family members, she has to move to New Orleans and live with her Aunt and Uncle. When she arrives, she finds mystery... there's talk of pirates, smugglers, and treasure. If she finds it she could buy her father's freedom... will she find it before anyone else does? Will she be hurt or even killed in the process? The Smuggler's Treasure is like a great invitation to the History Mysteries... after you read this you're compelled to read the others! I plan to collect the whole series (there are six more I need). The main characters of the stories are so clever and brave, you can really look up to them. It is nice that the authors make the girls seem realistic (with strengths and weaknesses) and not stuffy and perfect. Read them!

It's 1814, and America is at war with Britain. Elizabet Holder's father, a ship owner and captain, has been captured by the British. Now, she must go from Boston to New Orleans to live with her aunt and uncle. But, when she arrives, she finds that her uncle has died, leaving stories of a secret map hidden in the house. On top of that, her aunt is away caring for a sick relative and she is expected to work in her aunt's bakery to earn her keep. Before this tale is over, Elizabet is threatened by a mysterious stranger and meets the famous pirate, Jean Lafitte.This is the first book in the History Mystery series from American Girl. My daughter and I read it together and I know she enjoyed it because she never wanted to stop no matter how late the hour. Don't get me wrong, these stories aren't in the same league with Harry Potter. Someone has described them as "thinly plotted". From an adult perspective, this may be true, but they're not written for adults. For most kids in the 9 to 12 age group, they're just fine. In addition, the young heroines of these stories are great examples for young female readers, and the historical settings and themes provide a learning experience, as well.All in all, these are good books for kids. This is our second one (although it's actually the first in the series) and my daughter has very much liked both. I highly recommend this book to young readers and their parents. Though, as I wrote above, these books aren't the equal of Harry Potter, but this one is one of the best in this series. Rated at 4+ stars.

In the thick of the War of 1812, it'a the year 1814. Wealthy, sheltered Elisabet Holden's father, a navy captain, is captured by the British because he was born in London. With her mother long deceased, Elisabet must go live with her Aunt and Uncle, whom she has never met, in New Orleans. After a long trip, she discovers that her Uncle died days before she arrived and her Aunt is out of town. Surprisingly, she is forced to work in the Horn of Plenty bakery, which her Aunt owns. Rumors of a treasure map hidden in the bakery and sightings of her uncle's ghost make her leery of her new home. When she learns from an American pirate that her father can be freed for a large ransom, Elisabet decides to find the lost treasure map in hopes of getting a reward.

This book was really good! Elisabet Holder goes to live with her aunt and uncle in New Orleans, because her father is a captive on a British ship. Much to her surprise, Elisabet is expected to work in her late uncle's bakery shop with the other workers. When she discovers that a valuable map is hidden in the bakery, she and her friend, Marie, set out to find it and trade it in for Elisabet's father's freedom. I recommend it to anybody who likes mysteries!

In 1814, after her father is captured by the British, eleven-year-old Elisabet Holder must leave Boston to live with her aunt and uncle in New Orleans. When she arrives, she learns her uncle is dead, her aunt has gone to Baton Rogue, and she is expected to work in her aunt's bakery like a servant. When Elisabet learns of a treasure her uncle hid before he died, she decides to search for it so she can ransom her father. But that's only the beginning of the story. THE SMUGGLER'S TREASURE is an exciting combination of mystery, adventure, and history. I immensely enjoyed it and look forward to future books in the HISTORY MYSTERIES series.