Quick Summer Reads: Treasure Tracks, High Score, and Wretched Waterpark

Three entertaining novels for the adventure-seeker, the heist-lover, and the doom-aficionado.

Treasure Tracks by S. A. Rodriguez. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2022, 214 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: ages 10-14

Fernando Roman prefers his Abuelo’s name for him: Fin. Water sprite that he is, the name suits him, but actually everything about Abuelo suits him better than his own dad. Dad seems to have missed the adventure gene that Fin and his grandfather share, and never joins them as they explore the Florida Keys with scuba gear and an old boat. On the day Fin turns 12, Abuelo shares a story about a treasure—Spanish gold found in Cuba but lost during the hurricane of 1935. Only he knows all the details, but with Fin as a partner, they may be able to find it. Before they can begin a systematic search, however, a hurricane sweeps through the keys. Shortly after, Abuelo has a near-fatal stroke. Fin believes that carrying on the treasure search might restore the old man’s spirit and interest in life, but he can’t carry out the search by himself. Will his dad unbend enough to help?

This is a solid adventure tale with a strong family connection. Finding the treasure becomes secondary to Fin’s relationship with his father and how both must change in order to rebuild it. His mother is a devout Catholic with a belief in spirits and saints, some of which may raise questions at the end. Overall, though, a worthwhile read.

Overall Rating: 4 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 3,5
• Artistic/literary value: 4

High Score by Destiny Howell. Scholastic, 2022, 297 pages.

Reading level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: Ages 10-14

Darius James, better known as DJ, transferred out of his previous school before he could get into any more trouble running cons. He’s not a bad kid, nor even fundamentally dishonest—he just likes the planning and operation a little too much. Now at Ella Fitzgerald Middle School, he intends to keep his head down. That’s advisable anyway because of Lucas “Lucky” Ford, who runs his own mafia-like operation in forged hall passes, contraband snacks, and especially prize tickets from Starcade, the local tween hangout. Anyone who tries to muscle in on Lucky gets “rocket boosted”—fingered in the morning announcements, which makes them an outcast. DJ is happy to steer clear until his best friend Conor tries to con Lucky. Lucky demands a payout—100,000 Starcade tickets within two weeks, or Conor gets boosted. The only way to come by that many is for DJ to get back in the scheming game.

Deception is a necessary factor in any con, and that’s a problem. According to Psalm 51, “You [the Lord] desire truth in the inward parts.” DJ’s saving grace is that he recognizes the inherent sliminess, especially when he sees himself reflected in Lucky (who has all the makings of a criminal mastermind). He reengages in order to rescue a friend, but in the final chapter other opportunities to do good, and possibly even bring Lucky down, are presenting themselves. Whether the end justifies the means might be good matter for discussion. Otherwise, High Score is an enjoyable read with a likeable protagonist who has a conscience.

Overall Rating: 3.75

• Worldview/moral value: 3.5
• Artistic/literary value: 4.25

Wretched Waterpark (Sinister Summer #1) by Kiersten White. Delacorte, 2022, 228 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: ages 10-15

The Sinister-Winterbottom kids are confused. Why did their parents decide to send all three of them (16-year-old Wilhemina and 12-year-old twins Theodora and Alexander) to spend the summer with their aunt Saffronia Sinister, whom they don’t even know? Aunt Saffronia isn’t sinister, really, but she’s odd, and unsuited to taking care of children (“How often would you say you need to eat?”). To pass the time, she obtains a week-long pass for them to Fathoms of Fun, a water park that looks more like Fathoms of Fear when they arrive. Questions abound: where are all the guests? And lifeguards? Why do people keep disappearing in the Cold Unknowable Sea? And why don’t they serve churros?

Solving these mysteries is only the beginning; there’s a whole summer to confront bigger mysteries involving the parents and other relations. Readers will immediately recognize a Lemony-Snicket vibe, with similar quasi-gothic style and understated hilarity. One character mentions his two dads a couple of times and said dads may appear in further installments; otherwise it’s clean macabre fun.

Overall Rating: 3.75

• Worldview/moral value: 3.5
• Artistic/literary value: 3

Read more about our ratings here.                 

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Reviews: Readers who like Treasure Tracks will probably enjoy The Islanders Series. Also, a review of E. Nesbit’s classic Story of the Treasure Seekers.
• Reviews: The Great Greene Heist, Loot and Sting are other light-hearted novels about conning-in-a-good-cause.

• Reflection: See Megan’s thoughts on the worldview of Lemony Snicket.

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