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Treasure Island: Runaway Gold

3.71
on Goodreads (188)

What’s inside...

Bestselling and award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes reimagines the classic novel Treasure Island  by Robert Louis Stevenson in this thrilling adventure set in modern-day Manhattan, in which three children must navigate the city’s hidden history, dodge a threatening crew of skater kids, and decide who they can really trust in order to hunt down a long-buried treasure.  Three kids. One dog. And the island of Manhattan, laid out in an old treasure map. Zane is itching for an adventure that will take him away from his family’s boarding house in Rockaway, Queens. So when he is entrusted with a real treasure map, leading to a spot somewhere in Manhattan, Zane wastes no time in riding the ferry over to the city to start the search with his friends Kiko and Jack and his dog, Hip-Hop. Through strange coincidence, they meet a man who is eager to help them find the John, a sailor who knows all about the buried history of Black New Yorkers of centuries past—and the gold that is hidden somewhere in those stories. As a vicious rival skateboard crew follows them around the city, Zane and his friends begin to wonder who they can really trust. And soon it becomes clear that treasure hunting is a dangerous business… Jewell Parker Rhodes has written a version of Treasure Island like none you’ve never seen—one that takes the reader through little-known Black history, and under the city of Manhattan itself. 
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-13
Length
336 pages
Text complexity

Discussion points

What do you think are the main reasons the characters went looking for treasure? How would you feel in their situation?
Which character did you relate to the most and why?
How do the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story?
What lessons do you think the story teaches about friendship and bravery?
If you could add another adventure to the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story, which can help them connect with the characters and enhance comprehension.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of the book and why it stood out to them, promoting critical thinking.
Discuss the moral dilemmas faced by the characters to explore complex themes in an age-appropriate manner.
Relate the adventures in the book to your child's own experiences to deepen their understanding and empathy.
Encourage drawing or acting out favorite scenes which can help children process the story creatively.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout 'Treasure Island: Runaway Gold', the characters must work together to solve clues and overcome obstacles in their quest for treasure.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, which is essential in classroom projects and family activities.
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist demonstrates bravery when faced with challenges, inspiring readers to confront their own fears.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to tackle new challenges at school or in social situations with confidence and resilience.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and decision-making
Explanation: Key decisions must be made by the young characters, teaching readers about the consequences of their choices.
Real-World Application: Kids are prompted to think about the outcomes of their actions in their own lives, fostering a sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Respect for history and culture
Explanation: The story includes elements that educate about historical events and different cultures, enriching the reader's knowledge.
Real-World Application: This lesson can foster curiosity and respect for diverse histories and traditions they encounter in school and their community.