About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
Sam and Annabel are on vacation with Annabel's parents in Italy.
While visiting the small hilltop town of Civita, they hear rumors of looted gold from World War II buried somewhere in the town's network of underground tunnels and caves. Once again the two friends cross paths with their old nemesis, Humphrey Battleford, but he is not the only one in pursuit of the gold. An intimidating man named Kurt, the grandson of a ruthless Nazi, is also snooping around. After Annabel is kidnapped, Sam must solve the mystery of the hidden treasure to save his friend.
This is the fourth mystery featuring Sam and Annabel, after Stolen, Bones and Lost.
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
Contributor Notes
Born in Scotland, John Wilson is addicted to history and firmly believes that the past must have been just as exciting, confusing and complex to those who lived through it as our world is to us. Most of his thirty-four novels and ten nonfiction books for kids, teens and adults deal with the past. John spends significant portions of his year traveling across the country, telling stories from his books and about their historical background and getting young readers energized and wanting to read and find out more about the past. John lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Editorial Reviews
"Wilson's love of history shines in this high interest novel. Strong descriptions mingle with historical details making readers want to learn more about the places Annabelle and Sam visit…the characters are so likeable and believable the readers can't help be engrossed with the quirks of Sam, Pi loving Annabelle and her family, Humphry Battleford, the museum keeper Pietro and even Percy the dog."
— Resource Links
"The vocabulary is very suitable for the intended audience. The dialogue is extensive and realistic. The story is told in first person from Sam's viewpoint. That the chapters end at a high point and often ask a question makes this an excellent read-aloud choice. Gold is a high interest novel for middle readers and would appeal to students who like adventure, mystery, travel and realistic fiction. Highly Recommended."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
