Treasure Of The World
Author:
Tara Sullivan
Illustrator:
N/A
Published by:
G.P. Putman's Sons Books for Young Readers
First Published:
23 Feb 2021
Ideal for readers age
13+y
My Review
This is an insightful and eye opening story of a twelve year old girl called Ana and her mining family high in the mountains of Bolivia. Everyone in the small town where Ana lives either works in the silver mines, or knows that one day they will. Ana dreams of a better life for herself and her younger brother, Daniel, who has a lung condition which means that work in the mines for him would be a death sentence. Tara Sullivan portrays their lives in all their cruel hardship, but also weaves through the narrative love, hope, and, ultimately, courage to face the future. I love the way Tara Sullivan brings issues of poverty and child labour to light through utterly convincing characters and plot – it never feels like she has an agenda, but her reader comes away having had their eyes – and their heart – opened by a story that is unforgettable.
Heads Up!
Alcohol-fuelled domestic violence features at the start of the story. Some children might find the descriptions of the dark and unending mining tunnels scary. Tara Sullivan has written other novels dealing with poverty and exploitation too - 'Bitter Sweet', set on a cocoa plantation in Africa, is another.