Pete’s Gold
Pete’s Gold
by Luanne Armstrong
$10.95
- Autumn 2008
- ISBN 978-1-55380-059-0
- 5-1/4″ x 7-5/8″ Trade Paperback, 190 pages
- Young Reader Novel – Ages 9 to 12
Pete’s Gold, a novel for readers ten and up, is a captivating book of adventure that will appeal in particular to boys. Luanne 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 sensitive story, Luanne Armstrong draws us into a world of discovery, fun, friendship and family.
Reviews & Awards:
- Finalist, Red Cedar Book Awards 2010–11 (B.C.’s Young Readers’ Choice Awards)
- Shortlisted for the Chocolate Lily Award
- Finalist for the Moonbeam Award
- Selected for Best Books for Kids & Teens
“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“Armstrong deftly mixes humour with adventure to create an engaging read”
—Canadian Bookseller“a book that will appeal to children who enjoy the adventure that comes along with finding lost treasures . . . Recommended.”
—CM Magazine“When a new novel by Luanne Armstrong arrived I looked forward to reading it. Pete’s Gold turned out to be as good as I expected.”
—Hi-Rise Newspaper“I heartily recommend Pete’s Gold to young readers who wish to leap head-first into an absorbing story.”
—What If? Magazine“Armstrong does a good job of representing local BC history and playing on the tradition of folklore (and ghosts) typical of BC’s gold rush, mining and settler history.”
—Resource Links
