When Nina's mother, Miranda, disappears, leaving only a cryptic note, Nina is determined to uncover the mystery of where Miranda's gone and why. When Nina's mother, Miranda, mysteriously disappears, Nina's father goes to look for her, leaving Nina with her two eccentric aunts who run a charity shop in town. Nina soon discovers that working in the shop can be funny, intriguing and rewarding as she takes in weird and wonderful donations, makes new friends and uncovers strange secrets! But Nina is determined to solve the mysteries that have taken over her life - where has her mother gone? Why did she leave so suddenly? And just what is the secret she's been hiding? Award-winning author Linda Newbery grips and entertains readers in her usual mesmerising way with this intriguing new mystery.
The Treasure House
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
A warm, light hearted story which will have you scavenging in charity shops in search of your own treasures. (Serendipity Reviews 2012-05-18)
An accessible real-life mystery from a master storyteller. (ANGELS AND URCHINS 2012-06-01)
The charm of the book lies in the clear style, fascinating detail, a compelling plot and well-drawn characters... Newbery brings in, with her usual light touch, some pressing concerns: bullying, friendship, mental health and the nature of parenthood. In the modern world of texts and mobile phones she gives us the perennial hopes and fears of a young girl growing up and facing problems with courage and sensitivity. (Jan Lee The Oxford Times 2012-06-21)
This is a charming book with a mix of believable characters and, as one would expect from Linda Newbery, a strong sense of place. Wotj am added pinch of mystery this is a thoroughly engaging and warm story. (Jane Sandell THE SCOTSMAN 2012-06-23)
The book was a fantastic and really enjoyable novel. The author kept me interested all the way through, describing the characters so well. You can picture them in your mind and sometimes feel the character's emotions! The book is full of surprising twists and turns which keeps you entertained. It was very hard to put the book down. (Maud, Age 10 Anorak Magazine 2012-07-01) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
An accessible real-life mystery from a master storyteller. (ANGELS AND URCHINS 2012-06-01)
The charm of the book lies in the clear style, fascinating detail, a compelling plot and well-drawn characters... Newbery brings in, with her usual light touch, some pressing concerns: bullying, friendship, mental health and the nature of parenthood. In the modern world of texts and mobile phones she gives us the perennial hopes and fears of a young girl growing up and facing problems with courage and sensitivity. (Jan Lee The Oxford Times 2012-06-21)
This is a charming book with a mix of believable characters and, as one would expect from Linda Newbery, a strong sense of place. Wotj am added pinch of mystery this is a thoroughly engaging and warm story. (Jane Sandell THE SCOTSMAN 2012-06-23)
The book was a fantastic and really enjoyable novel. The author kept me interested all the way through, describing the characters so well. You can picture them in your mind and sometimes feel the character's emotions! The book is full of surprising twists and turns which keeps you entertained. It was very hard to put the book down. (Maud, Age 10 Anorak Magazine 2012-07-01) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
When Nina's mother disappears, leaving only a cryptic note, Nina is determined to uncover the mystery of where she's gone and why.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
a well-spun mystery, centred on the endlessly fascinating charity shop
28 May 2012
Format:Paperback
Many of the ingredients of classic children's stories are here: a missing mother (because who can have an adventure with Mum around to check up?); endearingly mad older relatives; a mystery to solve; friends and less-than-friendly kids at school. Reading this had a nostalgic feel, probably because it is vaguely reminiscent of books I grew up with, although at the same time it is firmly set in the here-and-now with mobile phones and environmental worries.
Nina is a great character: grounded, caring and just trying to get on with things the best way she can. Children will relate to her with ease, and will be cheering her on as she works to unravel the mystery of Mum's disappearance. The aunts are fabulous creations and complement one another beautifully. The real star, of course, is the shop, and this is shown in the chapter headings which are all objects in the shop (many of which you can see around the edges of the gorgeous cover).
The main plot thrust is of course Nina's Mum, but the novel also manages to deal with new school worries, threads about friendship and a lovely sub-plot relating to an upcycling fashion show, as well as an age-appropriate consideration of mental health. There is a real lightness of touch here that makes this a cheering reading experience, even while you're in the middle of it, not knowing where Nina's mother is or how things will turn out.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. In the best tradition of children's literature, it raises some difficult questions (e.g. what if Mum just walked out?) and encourages readers to think about less-than-pleasant things, without threatening their security.
Nina is a great character: grounded, caring and just trying to get on with things the best way she can. Children will relate to her with ease, and will be cheering her on as she works to unravel the mystery of Mum's disappearance. The aunts are fabulous creations and complement one another beautifully. The real star, of course, is the shop, and this is shown in the chapter headings which are all objects in the shop (many of which you can see around the edges of the gorgeous cover).
The main plot thrust is of course Nina's Mum, but the novel also manages to deal with new school worries, threads about friendship and a lovely sub-plot relating to an upcycling fashion show, as well as an age-appropriate consideration of mental health. There is a real lightness of touch here that makes this a cheering reading experience, even while you're in the middle of it, not knowing where Nina's mother is or how things will turn out.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. In the best tradition of children's literature, it raises some difficult questions (e.g. what if Mum just walked out?) and encourages readers to think about less-than-pleasant things, without threatening their security.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Vivienne Serendipity
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I have heard so many good things about this author I was very excited to get my hands on her latest book. The book is set mainly in a charity shop, which had me intrigued. I couldn't believe you could create an interesting read around other people's cast offs, but that is exactly what Linda Newbery managed to do. I will definitely look closer for second hand treasures after reading how Thea, a secondary character created beautiful outfits for a fashion show with the items that she found in Second Hand Rose. She reminded me of Molly Ringwald in Pretty In Pink.
There were quite a few descriptive passages within the book, which really helped to bring the story to life. I could clearly envisage the charity shop and the llama park, really adding to the enjoyment of the story.
I loved the characters. The author is excellent at creating realistic and believable people in her stories. They all so well crafted, they stood out with their uniqueness. Jake was definitely my favourite - like a modern day Lenny from Of Mice and Men, but much more in control of his thoughts. The only character I had a real problem with was Nina's mother - she just didn't work for me. I was surprised by her decision to leave her daughter just before she began secondary school. Many parents will know how traumatic and life changing that transition period can be and it would only take a close parental death to pull you away, leaving very little contact. Yet she was willing to desert her child during such a stressful period for something extremely less important. She just appeared really self centred and frivolous to me and would definitely be struck off my Friends list for this.
The book took me a little while to get into, although that may have been my state of mind rather than the book. Once I got into the story, I really began to enjoy it as Nina went into Nancy Drew mode and solved the mystery of her mother's absence.
A warm, light hearted story which will have you scavenging in charity shops in search of your own treasures.
There were quite a few descriptive passages within the book, which really helped to bring the story to life. I could clearly envisage the charity shop and the llama park, really adding to the enjoyment of the story.
I loved the characters. The author is excellent at creating realistic and believable people in her stories. They all so well crafted, they stood out with their uniqueness. Jake was definitely my favourite - like a modern day Lenny from Of Mice and Men, but much more in control of his thoughts. The only character I had a real problem with was Nina's mother - she just didn't work for me. I was surprised by her decision to leave her daughter just before she began secondary school. Many parents will know how traumatic and life changing that transition period can be and it would only take a close parental death to pull you away, leaving very little contact. Yet she was willing to desert her child during such a stressful period for something extremely less important. She just appeared really self centred and frivolous to me and would definitely be struck off my Friends list for this.
The book took me a little while to get into, although that may have been my state of mind rather than the book. Once I got into the story, I really began to enjoy it as Nina went into Nancy Drew mode and solved the mystery of her mother's absence.
A warm, light hearted story which will have you scavenging in charity shops in search of your own treasures.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
