Skip to main content

Snow Treasure



Snow Treasure
By Marie McSwigan
Illustrated by André LaBlanc
Scholastic, 1942. 156 p.

In tonight’s Mother/Daughter Book Club we are talking about Snow Treasure, one of the classic historical fiction children’s chapter books published clear back in the 1940s.

Peter is a young boy growing up in Norway. His village is worried that Nazi troops will come and occupy their country—and sure enough they do. With German soldiers watching, can Peter and his friends help smuggle out hundreds of gold bars so that Hitler and his men won’t be able to use the gold against Norway? One by one each of the village children sled down a hill past the soldiers—with gold hidden on their sled. They then bury the gold and build a snowman on top so that Peter’s uncle and his fishing crew can find the gold and take it to their boat to smuggle to America.

This is an adventurous story where children prove that they too can be as brave and loyal as their parents who are fighting in WWII. Peter and his friends are constantly in danger, yet the German soldiers never suspect that little children can do something so great. If you like adventure stories (that are calm enough for children), historical stories, and stories where children are the great heroes—then you should check out this classic tale.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.