It doesn’t seem possible that it’s over 10 years since Jessie Burton’s The Miniaturist was published to huge acclaim. A book that I – like many others – read and really enjoyed, it immediately cemented her reputation as a writer and although she has gone on to write several other titles, that is possibly still the one for which she is best known. Having subsequently produced books aimed at young adults and middle grade readers, she has demonstrated her ability to create stories that appeal to a broad readership and here, in her latest title for young readers, she has come up trumps with a tale that I absolutely raced through.

When we meet our protagonist, 12-year-old Bo Delafort, she is mudlarking on the banks of the Thames at Battersea Bridge in the bright, August sunshine. Looking for something she will be able to sell to help support her family, Bo becomes aware of the river speaking to her – telling her to put her hands into its waters. Doing so, she moves her hands downwards to the clay beneath and touches part of something hidden there. Told not to let go, Bo takes hold of the object and finds herself transported to an unknown place – a room where an old man and a woman are talking by a table on which she can see gold and silver gleaming at her.

As the mud gives up its treasure, Bo finds herself back at the river wondering what has caused the vision and clutching the object – a silver moon, inlaid with precious stones. Unable to believe her luck at what she has found, Bo intends to rush home to show it to her older brother Harry, who will be leaving to fight in the war in a few hours’ time, but before she is able to do so, she is interrupted by the sudden appearance of another mudlarker – a boy who introduces himself as Billy River before vanishing.

Feeling compelled not to share the news of her discovery with Harry and her mother, Bo keeps it hidden from them but soon becomes aware that it is more than just a pretty trinket when a strange man tries to persuade her to part company with it, telling her that it belongs to him. Not believing him, Bo keeps hold of it and before long learns that it is half of an incredible treasure – one that will give its owner back the most precious thing that they have lost if the two pieces are reunited. Together with new friend Billy, Bo starts to search for the moon’s partner and starts to dream of what they could do with it. But even if they can find it, should the two of them put the two halves back together? And what will happen if they do?

The idea of coming across treasure is one that is appealing to everyone, no matter their age, but for children, who often have limited funds of their own and long lists of things that they would like to have, that treasure is frequently equated with limitless spending power. Here, Bo is only too well aware of her family’s lack of fortune but is also conscious that the river speaks to very few mudlarkers and has given up the silver moon to her for a reason and very quickly determines not just to keep hold of it but to search for its partner. In Billy, she finds a friend who doesn’t judge her actions or put pressure on her to do what her family would most likely consider to be the right thing and with whom she immediately feels at ease. As we follow their adventure, it appears that they may have been predestined to meet, and we can only watch and wait to see just why the river has brought them together.

Set just over a century ago, this is a book that is richly imagined and one that young readers will love. Here is a London very different from the one with which today’s children will be familiar – either from first-hand experience, or from films and TV – a city that is much quieter and slower than it is now, which allows the reader to savour the scenes the author creates. As we read on, the mystery of the moon and the missing piece that complements it deepens and there are numerous twists and turns in the plot that will cause those picking this up to gasp because they won’t see them coming.

A fabulous read for those in Year 4 upwards, Hidden Treasure publishes in hardback on 13th March and in paperback a year later. Before then, my huge thanks go to publisher Bloomsbury and to NetGalley for my advance virtual read.

“What you love can never be lost.”

Jessie Burton is most well known for her novel The Miniaturist and more recently her retelling of the story of Medusa.

Hidden Treasure is her debut in the world of children’s fiction.

This is a story that weaves together history, magic and a treasure hunt with a twist

Although set during the period of World War One, there is a Dickensian almost gothic feel to the tale - young Bo lives in Battersea and is known as a mud lark as she is often found near the Thames. Her brother has gone off to war and she lives with the fear of what will happen to him.

On one of her regular visits , she discovers a piece of jewellery known as The Eclipsing Moon. This jewel has magical powers and if held alongside another piece known as The Brightest Sun whilst recounting an ancient ballad then the river has the power to bring somebody back from the dead.

Aided by Billy River, threatened by the evil Mr Muncaster who believes the jewels are his and encouraged by the curious class teacher Miss Cressaant ( who has her own secrets ) Bo finds she has a magical abilities from the energy of the Thames

A race against time to find the missing jewel and ballad before an upcoming eclipse being the perfect time for the power of the river to do its magic, Bo and Billy overcome various obstacles.

This is a tale of self belief, survival and identity- of family and love - woven into a. magical adventure

An intriguing and captivating debut

Recommended for 10-12 year olds and readers of Hilary McKay and Emma Carroll