Treasure in the Lake has a pleasant look with the cool water and two adventurers on the cover. The contrast of light and dark hints at a deep mystery. But Jason Pamment fell short for me with the actual story. The cover was the draw and the story, well, only hides an abandoned village and not the wild ride I thought might be inside.
All points I give this book come from the artwork. The story was weak and had several holes. The dual story of Iris and Sam seems like it had potential (as you know the story of the past is coming to life again by what is shown) but it did not seem to seamlessly flow into each other.
Iris wants adventures, life outside of their small town. Sam is a homebody, wanting to see the unveiling of the new town statue. These two do not seem like likely friends, but they are. Best ones in fact. Just like two best friends from years ago. But an argument causes a rift between them when they find an abandoned village pass the recently dried riverbed. And each take their own path to learn how special both mentalities are: adventures are grand, but there is no place like home.
And while I was not “OMG BEST BOOK EVER!”(mostly as I had to figure out the gist of things from the medium detailed illustrations), I knew as a 10- to 14-year-old this would be an adventure/ghost story I’d have enjoyed. The art is really the draw for me. While they might not be as colorful as the cover hinted, they are cozy, in their real cartoon/comic formation.
This is a book that is for someone who does not analyze each detail, but just enjoys two friends, some ghosts, and a ship with a story to tell, stories. Ages 10 to 14, thought younger readers should be find with content and concepts.