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Snow Treasure | 
 enlarge | Author: Marie Mcswigan
Publisher: Puffin
Category: Book
List Price: $5.99
Buy Used: $1.99
You Save: $4.00 (67%)
New (24) Used (14) Collectible (2) from $1.99
Rating:  59 reviews
Sales Rank: 30091
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 208
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 0142402249
EAN: 9780142402245
ASIN: 0142402249
Publication Date: October 5, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: 1986 Scholastics paperback. Almost identical cover picture. Tight, clean, unmarked copy in overall acceptable to good, very gently used condition, inside and out. Slight tanning, crease to front cover.
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Book Description
In the bleak winter of 19 0, Nazi troops parachuted into Peter Lindstrom's tiny Norwegian village and held it captive. Nobody thought the Nazis could be defeated—until Uncle Victor told Peter how the children could fool the enemy. It was a dangerous plan. They had to slip past Nazi guards with nine million dollars in gold hidden on their sleds. It meant risking their country's treasure—and their lives. This classic story of how a group of children outwitted the Nazis and sent the treasure to America has captivated generations of readers.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 54 more reviews...
 A book of memories July 22, 1999
32 out of 36 found this review helpful
I grew up next door to Marie McSwigan in Pittsburgh, PA. She made the world come alive as she read to me and several neighbor friends. Much later we learned that we were hearing the first writing of her new book. She asked how we liked it and why. I think she used someof our comments. I have all of her books and read them now to my grandchildren. Many of the episodes are from incidents that happened in our neighborhood. It is truly wonderful to see Snow Treasure still in print. If you ever find other books by Marie McSwigan, I encourage to to buy them and read them.
 The best heroic Norwegian historical fiction for kids in the English language February 8, 2006
E. R. Bird (Manhattan, NY)
29 out of 30 found this review helpful
So I'm at a fancy Manhattan party hosted by Columbia University. It's at a swank bar and I'm surrounded by Columbia graduate film students who are mooching like it's nobody's business. Bear with me, this actually has to do with the book, "Snow Treasure". I'm just a humble children's librarian who happens to be married to one of these students so I'm biding my time and drinking my free drink when I am introduced to yet another filmmaker. Usually when I tell such people what my job is they are inclined to nod politely and then scan the room frantically for someone more interesting. Not this gal. On hearing about my job she practically grabs me by my lapels (I say "practically" since I am not in the habit of wearing lapels) and asks excitedly, "Have you read Snow Treasure?!?". I try to pry her fingers from my clothing while admitting that as well-read as I like to boast that I am, I actually don't know this book. She then launches into an emphatic explanation of how much she enjoyed this story when she was a child and how she would like to film it herself someday. And since she goes to school with my husband, it seems only polite that I should read this supposedly marvelous little work. I do, enjoy the book thoroughly, and here we are today. Whether you like it or hate it, it's hard not to admit that "Snow Treasure" is one of those books that stays with you for years and years at a time.
Peter is just your average Norwegian kid. He enjoys sledding in the snow, the occasional snowball fight, and hanging out with his friends and neighbors. Then the Nazis come. It's 1940 and Norway has been invaded by a particularly nasty enemy. This wouldn't be such a problem if Norway were a poor nation. Unfortunately they have gold bullion in their banks worth roughly $9,000,000. It would be great if the bank could get the unprocessed gold to a cargo ship waiting by the sea, but any form of transportation used would probably get searched by the invading army. But what if the carriers were the most innocent available? What if the children were put to use? Before Peter and his friends know it they're running a dangerous mission right under the noses of the Nazis. But will the Nazis ever figure out what exactly is going on? And, almost more importantly, will the snow last?
Husband wants to know what I'm reading. I tell him it's that old classic piece of historical fiction, "Snow Treasure". Husband wants to know when it takes place. I tell him 1940. Husband asks when it was written. I tell him 1942, which shocks both of us equally. As World War II was going on, author Marie McSwigan must have heard this story/rumor, put on her writing glasses, and plugged out an exciting tale of children v. Nazis. Of course, recent printings of the book are mighty careful to include this little caveat in the front: "For many years the story was believed true. But over 60 years later, there is no proof that it ever really happened". So how did Ms. McSwigan hear of it? A quick perusal of the ever handy "Something About the Author" series (available in your local library) and we learn that McSwigan was a journalist back in the day. A Pittsburgh journalist at that. Perhaps (and this is entirely speculation at this point) she heard the rumor of the gold's rescue and made the obvious conclusion that true or not it would make a darned good book for children.
It's odd reading the book secure in the knowledge that when it was published it was a toss up whether or not the Germans were going to win the war in the end. Certainly there isn't any mention of the Jews or their fate. There are, however, several references to concentration camps and the cruelty of the Nazis in general. The book is a teensy bit dated here and there, of course. Peter Lundstrom is twelve-years-old and is told by his father (leaving to fight in the war) to take care of the family since now he's the "man". Then again, McSwigan belies this at the end when Peter's uncle points out that his mother is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Moreover, the girls in this book do everything the boys do and never show any weakness. Even in the face of a nasty Nazi kicking down their snowmen. It's not exactly Gloria Steinem territory, but it's still pretty good for the times. The writing is also upbeat and cuts to the chase right at the beginning. By page 14 you already know what the kids are going to do and it's fast-paced writing from there on in. It might not stand up to intense scrutiny today but it's definitely one of the more interesting books for children processed in 1942.
In regards to the film student who wanted to make a movie out of "Snow Treasure" it'll break her heart, I'm sure, to learn that a film was already made of it in 1969. Sigh. In any case, with its slim size and its gripping plot this is one story that pops off of the page and has been in continual publication since the forties. A good book even today.
Parents: This is an excellent choice for your kids January 13, 1998
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
I first read this book in 1968. I was completely absorbed by the story. As a nine year old boy, reading books was not my first priority, but the adventure of the story grabbed my attention and I had to be dragged kicking and screaming away from the book for dinner and bedtime. In later years I reread SNOW TREASURE and found it to be extremely well written, with solid character development. The nicest surprise for parents is that this is a true story from the years leading up to WW-II. I strongly recommend this one for your kids, even those who don't like to read.
My family's involvement in this perilous April 3, 2001
Rose (USA)
17 out of 19 found this review helpful
I've read the reviews out here. What many people aren't aware of is that this is a true story. We recently learned that my great uncle was one of the people involved in moving the gold out of Norway. I'm not sure if Peter's snowballing a German officer is true or not (my uncle wasn't sure), but moving the gold via sled definitely was. After the gold was on board the ship, it was another perilous journey to bring the gold to America, one that he won't tell even us the full story of. Some of the things he knows he has to take to the grave with him for the security and future of Norway, much as we would love to hear them.As you read the book, keep in mind what he and many others of the Norwegian Underground sacrificed to keep not only Norway's economy safe from the Nazis, but their way of life.
Best Book in the WORLD!!!!! March 19, 2004
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
When I saw this book, I thought that it would be just a normal book with non_exciting parts and exciting parts. I read the first chapter and didn't put it down for the rest of the evening. I wouldn't have put it down if my dad almost yelled at me to PUT IT AWAY.
This book is about a boy and his friends who have their life in their hands. They have to hide a bunch of money and keep it secret from the Nazis. I would recomend tthis book to anyone who loves action and to learn a little bit about the Nazis.
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