Description
When twelve-year-old Nell crashes her sailboat into a submerged house in the lake, she stumbles into a treasure hunt that plunges her into a generations-old family feud.
Things begin to take a sinister turn as the adults get involved, and Nell has no choice but to team up with her neighbour and family rival, Charlie. As friendships begin to morph and stretch, can these two unlikely allies end the feud and work out the treasure's secrets, or will their rivalry lead to one last epic betrayal?
Review
Twelve-year-old Nell loves sailing in a team with her best friend, Gemma. But when the lake starts to empty, revealing a submerged house, Nell uncovers some family secrets - and the reason why her family, the Souths, have always been the enemies of their neighbours, the Wilsons.
With Nell due to move to a boarding school in Ballarat for high school next year, Gemma starts to distance herself from Nell, and become closer to Charlie Wilson, who has never done anything wrong by her - but this doesn’t please either of their families. Can they uncover the reason why their families are at war, and maybe heal the grudges that have gone on way too long?
Set in a rural town, this book deals with issues of drought and hardship on the land, together with family feuds, growing up, friendships, and trust. This is an adventurous, mystery story with great characters that is a terrific read for all upper primary students.
