Pete's Gold
By Luanne Armstrong

Pete's Gold, a novel for readers ten and up, is a captivating book of adventure that will appeal in particular to boys. Armstrong takes the classic adventure story of the search for gold and updates it with the inclusion of a young boy’s contemporary problems. Pete has been sent to stay with his grandmother in the country for the summer because his parents are splitting up. At first, he thinks country life will be boring, but that is before he hears of a hidden stash of gold — gold that may allow his grandmother to keep the farm that is heavily mortgaged. Along the way, Pete makes new friends. He also finds himself being chased by a ghost, trapped in a cave with a skeleton, and lost on the far side of the lake, far from help. Through the stories told by his grandmother, and with the companionship of a wonderful dog, Pete begins to discover what really matters to him. Although he has always had a hard time talking to adults, by helping his grandmother, Pete discovers a new sense of maturity and self-confidence. In this adventurous but also sensitive story, Luanne Armstrong draws us into a world of discovery, fun, friendship and family.

–Luanne's novel Jeannie and the Gentle Giants (Ronsdale 978-0-921870-91-3) was nominated for the Silver Birch Award and has become a best-seller.

"Luanne Armstrong knows how to get to the heart of a good treasure-seeking story, but she also knows how to explore the complex world of a thirteen-year-old discovering lost family and new friends and the sweet wilderness world of the British Columbia backland." —Glen Huser, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Stitches

"Pete’s Gold is one of the most exciting adventure stories I have read in a long time. A really satisfying read! A middle reader must-buy for sure." —Mary Woodbury, author of Flight of the Tiger Moth

Luanne Armstrong is a novelist, freelance writer, editor and publisher. She has written a number of award-winning books for children, as well as novels, non-fiction and poetry. Luanne lives on her organic heritage farm on the east shore of Kootenay Lake. She has a PhD in Education and is an adjunct professor of Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia.