Discovery at Flint Springs - Hardcover

John R. Erickson is the author of Hank the Cowdog.

Grade 5-9–Riley McDaniels, 14, of Moonshiner's Gold (Viking, 2001) is back in another adventure. On a hot July day in 1927, family friend Aaron Kaplan arrives by plane with an archaeologist from Harvard who wants to survey the family's Texas ranch for ancient Native American sites. Before long, Riley, his younger brother, and their widowed mother are airborne, looking down at their land for possible locations. Dr. Montrose spots an area that he wants to explore, planning to return in a week. In the meantime, it is up to the McDaniels family to protect the site from local pot hunters. Of course, the robbers appear and threaten Riley and his family when he tries to force them to leave. But with help from Aaron (and his plane), the thieves are captured. This fast-moving novel has the flavor of an old Western. The villains are just dangerous enough, and they get their comeuppance in a comic way. Interesting details about archaeology are woven into the narrative as the family and their neighbors work on the site under the direction of Dr. Montrose.–Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
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