Missing on Superstition Mountain

Elise Broach does an excellent job of weaving together various legends about the Superstition Mountains just outside of Phoenix, Arizona-- including the one about the Lost Dutchman Mine. Children will be reading an exciting tale of adventure, but they'll also be absorbing the deeper subjects of history, friendship, and exploration.

When this book was offered to me, I wasn't told that it was a children's book, but since it is a mystery, and it is set right in my own backyard, it didn't make much difference. What impressed me was how much I enjoyed reading it, and how much it reminded me of similar books I read when I was a child. Simon, Henry, and Jack are following in the footsteps of the Hardy Boys, and it was wonderful to read about show more four children who were off on their bikes exploring and not cooped up inside enslaved to electronics. In fact, they're only on the computer once for a brief time in the entire book.

Since this is the first book in a trilogy, it will be interesting to see how the characters and the story develop. Simon is the responsible older brother with just a touch of the know-it-all. Jack is the extremely annoying little brother his siblings wish they could leave behind, and Henry as the middle brother feels a bit like a misfit. The story is mostly told from his point of view, so we get to know him best. Delilah? She's the first friend the boys have made in Superstition, and even though she's a girl, she's a big help and can't be left behind. The parents are there behind the scenes. They're busy keeping the bills paid so the boys can have adventures.

It's obvious that this is the first book in a trilogy because little plot threads are left dangling. I'm convinced Josie the cat knows a lot more than she's admitting, and what about the behavior of the local librarian? Is she hiding something? And there was definitely something odd about those tombstones in the cemetery!

If it sounds as though I was hooked after reading Missing on Superstition Mountain, I was. I'm looking forward to seeing what those four get up to next. show less

A fortune in gold, a possible curse, unexplained deaths, missing treasure maps and missing people... The story of the Lost Dutchman's Mine has them all and seasoned author Elise Broach (Shakespeare's Secret, Masterpiece) has chosen this fascinating piece of western lore around which to build her new middle school trilogy.

Set in central Arizona, the first of that trilogy - Missing on Superstition Mountain - introduces us to the Barker brothers - 11 year old Simon (the science lover with know-it-all tendencies), 10 year old Henry (the quiet reader who questions his own bravery) and 6 year old Jack (the feisty one with a quick temper). The Barker's have just moved to Superstition, Arizona from Chicago and, while they like the big old show more house left to their family by their (very interesting) Great Uncle Hank Cormody, the fact that nearly all of their neighbors in this much smaller new town seem to be away on vacation has left them bored. That changes quickly, though, when they chase their runaway cat up Superstition Mountain and come across a trio of human skulls neatly lined up on a canyon ledge. This discovery, along with the dire but vague warnings about the dangers of the mountain that they seem to hear from every adult they run into, leads the boys into an investigation of the area. Along with their neighbor, Delilah Dunworthy - who is also new to Superstition - they learn of the mysterious deaths and disappearances the area is famous for and about the legendary Lost Dutchman's Mine.

The stories that swirl around the Lost Dutchman's Mine vary considerably and Broach appears to be weaving elements of several versions into her appealing tale. In the Barker boys and in Delilah, she has given us characters who are resourceful, adventurous and who have the ability to be a bit reckless without being stupid (a sometimes fine distinction). Even though I felt they needed more depth - and I certainly hope to see them developed more fully in the next two books - I still liked these kids, particularly Henry, whose thoughts we're most often given access to.

The story itself is relatively familiar - kids make discovery, try to investigate on their own, run into some danger, make more discoveries. It's worked for years and it again works well here. Broach moves things along at a nice clip and readers are left wanting more, just as they should at the end of the first book in a series. Overall, Missing on Superstition Mountain has a rather old-fashioned feel to it, different in tone, but similar in feel to Jeanne Birdsall's wonderful Penderwicks series and very reminiscent of books I read and loved as a child and am happily sharing with my grandchildren now. I'm happy to have it as part of my collection and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

A good pick for boys and girls; may appeal to reluctant readers; could well spark an interest in western lore and legend.

Recommended.

Note: Artwork by Antonio Javier Caparo. show less

It's the beginning of the summer when brothers Simon, Henry and Jack Barker move from Chicago to Superstition, Arizona. Their eccentric Uncle Hank Cormody has recently passed away, and the boys' family takes up residence in his house which backs onto the mysterious Superstition Mountain. Though the boys' parents are firm in warning them not to climb the mountain, one afternoon they sneak away and head up the mountain in search of their cat, Josie. As the boys search for Josie, they begin to feel the mountain has its own aura, one that is entirely unfriendly. They are especially spooked when they find three human skulls sitting in a row on a ledge, and they quickly decide to leave the mountain alone with its secrets. In the following show more days, however, the boys and their neighbor, Delilah, become increasingly captivated by the mountain, and they set out to learn more about its mysteries. What the children uncover causes them to decide to revisit the montain to retrieve the three skulls. But do the children take their own lives in their hands by climbing the unforgiving Superstition Mountain a second time? Both children and teens will want to read this first book in Elise Broach's series to find out the boys' fates show less

It's the beginning of the summer when brothers Simon, Henry and Jack Barker move from Chicago to Superstition, Arizona. Their eccentric Uncle Hank Cormody has recently passed away, and the boys' family takes up residence in his house which backs onto the mysterious Superstition Mountain. Though the boys' parents are firm in warning them not to climb the mountain, one afternoon they sneak away and head up the mountain in search of their cat, Josie. As the boys search for Josie, they begin to feel the mountain has its own aura, one that is entirely unfriendly. They are especially spooked when they find three human skulls sitting in a row on a ledge, and they quickly decide to leave the mountain alone with its secrets. In the following show more days, however, the boys and their neighbor, Delilah, become increasingly captivated by the mountain, and they set out to learn more about its mysteries. What the children uncover causes them to decide to revisit the montain to retrieve the three skulls. But do the children take their own lives in their hands by climbing the unforgiving Superstition Mountain a second time? Both children and teens will want to read this first book in Elise Broach's series to find out the boys' fates. show less

This is a good adventure book to recommend to middle elementary readers. The Barker boys have just moved to Superstition, Arizona, near Superstition Mountain. However, they have been sternly warned not to go to the mountain. It's clear to the boys that the adults are hiding something about what has happened on the mountain. When they see their cat take off for the mountain, they find their excuse to see what has the adults so spooked and they chase the cat without telling their parents. The youngest boy, Jack, falls, lands on a ledge, and finds three human skulls. Once home, they begin a secret investigation and find out that numerous people have disappeared on the mountain or been found shot or decapitated. In addition, it seems that show more there's treasure hiding somewhere on the mountain. They decide, with their new friend Delilah, to find the skulls and bring them back to the authorities. Kids will enjoy the intrigue and the author manages to find the right balance of scary without being too scary. show less

Obviously there will be a sequel (or two), but this is an enjoyable, quick read for elementary ages. It doesn't hurt to have three skulls on the cover, but it's unfortunate the artwork (especially on the inside) looks too cartoony to 'sell' older kids.

Quick read. Great historical facts wound throughout it line.