The Lost Cipher

Lucas’s father has recently died in Afghanistan, and to help him cope, his grandmother sends him to Camp Kawani, a camp for kids who have lost a parent. While there, he hears about the local legend of Thomas Jefferson Beale. Beale supposedly hid a hoard of gold in the mountains 200 years before. The location is encrypted in a set of codes no one has ever been able to decipher. When Lucas and his newfound friends decide to track down the treasure, they embark on a mission that could be too dangerous to survive.

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  • 272 Pages
  • 5.5" x 8"
  • 9780807580639
  • May 2016

Buy from Albert Whitman

  • 272 Pages
  • 5.5" x 8"
  • 9780807580653
  • May 2017

Buy from Albert Whitman

  • 9780807580646
  • May 2016

Reviews

  • Those who enjoy a strong male protagonist who is industrious, rugged, and intelligent will like this offering. The language is realistic, and the author captures regional dialects reasonably well. A plot-driven adventure with ample humor and likable characters.

    - School Library Journal

  • Occasional rough language, graphic images, and strong emotions surrounding loss are balanced by plenty of humor and heart in this compelling adventure.

    - Publishers Weekly

  • Plucky kids, the spice of danger, the lure of treasure, and an ever-so-happy conclusion.

    - Kirkus Reviews

  • A well-paced story with appealing characters, cliff-hanger moments, and a resonant emotional core.

    - Booklist

  • A solid wilderness adventure novel with a believable protagonist, quirky characters, and humor to offset insightful depictions of grief.

    - The Horn Book Guide

Common Core

RL.5.1,2,3,4,5,6,9,10 RF.5.3,3a,4,4a,4c SL.5.1,1a,1c,1d,2,3,4,5,6 L.5.3,3b,4,4a,5,5a,6 W.5.2,4,6,7,8,9,9a,10

 

  • Accelerated Reader Points: 8
  • ATOS Level: 5.5