Hidden Treasure
London, 1918. This is, mostly, the story of Bo Delafort, aged 12 and a mudlark on the south side of the Thames foreshore. She comes from a long line of mudlarks, and she feels that she has the river in her blood. It is also the story of Billy River, an unusual-looking boy, of about the same age, who meets Bo by the river on the same day that she discovers a special jewel in the mud. Bo is upset at this time, because her older brother, Harry, is off to fight in the First World War at the Somme. Less involved in the story is Bo’s school friend, Eddie, who lives across the road and is still there at the end, despite some disagreements. Other important characters are Lord Muncaster, who lives at Muncaster Hall along the River Thames, and his fiancée, Avery.
The title of the book refers to the treasure that Bo finds whilst mudlarking, and she starts on a quest to discover the history of the jewel, known as the Eclipsing Moon. She also wants to know about the voice of the river, which came into her mind as she pulled the jewel from the clay. The author describes the feelings of Bo and her friends well, whilst also giving a hint of magic and the supernatural. There are objects to find before the eclipse of the sun, but ultimately it is Bo who will have to choose how to resolve the story. This is a fast-paced and well-written adventure suitable for middle grade readers (8-12). Jessie Burton is well known for her four adult novels: The Miniaturist, The Muse, The Confession and The House of Fortune, and has also written two other books for young readers: Restless Girls and Medusa.
