Indiana Bones

August 1, 2021

Gr 3-7-In this series debut, Aisha Ghatak is a 12-year-old Indian girl, world traveler, and archaeologist on an adventure to discover the best treasure of all time. Her companion is a magical talking dog named Indiana Bones. He came from a magical portal between Aisha's world and the world of the gods from Skara Brae, a site her famous archaeologist father explored. Indiana Bones brought Aisha's family three magical sapphires that connect them to the spirit world, allowing sight into the past as well as the future. Aisha and Indiana Bones set off to discover the trillions of pounds' worth of gold and jewels allegedly collected by a single thief, a French Knight called the Lonely Avenger. Their adventures bring them all the way to the pyramids of Egypt. This story is told by a narrator and guide wrly named Sir Harold of Heape. Readers will be intrigued by Aisha's study of the Scroll of the Lonely Avenger and amused by Indiana Bones' pronouncements. There are elements of wordplay in the text that some may find distracting, like descriptions of Aisha's father's "gladadventures," visiting the "funtryside," and feeling "bumcomfortable." The book mentions erupting volcanoes, cities of gold, and princes and paupers that may all be forthcoming. VERDICT This supernatural adventure series features a strong, whipsmart heroine and her talking canine; recommended for fans of archaeology and treasure-based romps.-Lisa Gieskes, Richland County P.L., Columbia, SC

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Starred review from July 1, 2021
Twelve-year-old archaeologist Aisha Ghatak and her talking dog, Indiana Bones, are determined to find the treasure trove of a French knight that has been successfully hidden for many years. Aisha, a little girl from Oxford, England, loves her father's stories, especially those that revolve around his work as a renowned archaeologist. Born and raised in India, Dr. Ghatak is the leading expert on the knight known as the Lonely Avenger, who notoriously amassed a treasure in ancient times. Aisha has long thought of Indiana Bones as her sidekick and co-investigator, so when she becomes determined to find the treasure, she knows that she and Indiana Bones need to work together in order to discover the truth--even if that means that the pair have to head to Egypt alone. Heape's prose strikes the right mix of funny and clever, and Aisha's boldness will find fans in many readers. The pair also meet helpful grown-ups whose expertise refreshingly rejects traditional gender roles. Although Aisha's Indian heritage is occasionally referred to (she learned to pick locks from her grandfather during a summer trip to the family home), the primary focus is solving the mystery at the heart of the novel. Cheerful spot art adds to the fun as Aisha and her adorably scruffy canine friend pursue their goal. A heartfelt adventure story with a heroine readers will enjoy rooting for. (Adventure. 9-12)

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