The Recommended Reading Order for Treasure Hunters
The Treasure Hunters series, co-authored by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, follows a tight, linear timeline. Because the characters age, reference previous escapades, and work toward a continuous goal—specifically finding and rescuing their missing parents—it is highly recommended to read them in publication order. Reading them out of order will spoil major plot points, including family secrets, parental rescues, and recurring rivalries.
- Treasure Hunters (2013): The adventure begins. Siblings Bick, Beck, Storm, and Tommy Kidd are left to navigate the seas alone when their father, a world-famous treasure hunter, vanishes in a storm, and their mother is kidnapped by pirates. Armed with their father's coordinates, they set off to find their parents and secure a legendary treasure.
- Danger Down the Nile (2014): The search takes the Kidd family to Africa. Navigating the Nile River, they must dodge deadly pirates, rival hunters, and solve ancient puzzles to locate a priceless artifact that might hold the key to their parents' safety.
- Secret of the Forbidden City (2015): The Kidds venture to China. Navigating the historic streets of Beijing and the underground traps of the Forbidden City, the siblings race to recover a stolen artifact in exchange for their mother's release from ransom.
- Peril at the Top of the World (2016): Traveling to Russia and the Arctic Circle, the siblings are framed for the theft of priceless artworks from the Hermitage Museum. They must find the real thieves and clear their names before they end up in a Russian prison.
- Quest for the City of Gold (2018): The Kidd family heads deep into the South American jungles. Following cryptic clues, they seek out the legendary city of El Dorado, competing against dangerous rivals in high-stakes terrain.
- All-American Adventure (2019): The Kidds bring their search to the United States. Investigating historical mysteries in Boston and Washington D.C., the siblings must protect crucial historical artifacts and solve a family mystery closer to home.
- The Plunder Down Under (2020): Sent to the dangerous Australian Outback, the siblings search for the legendary "Lasseter's Gold." When their parents are framed for stealing black opals by the pirate Charlotte Badger, the kids have just seven days to clear their family's name.
- The Ultimate Quest (2022): Armed with new augmented reality gear created by their parents, the siblings hunt for ancient treasures in the Mediterranean. When their ship, The Lost, explodes and their parents are kidnapped, the kids must travel the world to save them.
- The Greatest Treasure Hunt (2023): In the series finale, the Kidd siblings face off against their long-time rivals, the Collier kids, in a global competition to be named the world's greatest treasure hunters while clearing their great-grandfather's legacy.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For the Treasure Hunters series, publication order and chronological order are identical. There are no prequels, spin-offs, or side novels that disrupt the main timeline. The story starts with the Kidd siblings adjusting to life without their parents on their ship, The Lost, and ends with the definitive conclusion of their rivalries and quests in the ninth book. Attempting to read chronologically means starting with the very first book published in 2013 and following the list straight through to the 2023 finale.
Meet the Kidd Family: The Main Characters
What makes the series so engaging for middle-grade readers is the unique dynamic and specialized skill set of the Kidd siblings:
- Bick Kidd: The narrator of the series. Bick is a twin who provides the humorous, fast-paced commentary and writes down the family's stories.
- Beck Kidd: Bick’s twin sister. She is a talented artist who illustrates their journals (which translates to the comic-style drawings found throughout the books).
- Storm Kidd: The brain of the operation. Storm has a photographic memory and can recall obscure facts, historical dates, and map coordinates instantly.
- Tommy Kidd: The oldest sibling. Tommy is the skilled navigator and sailor who pilots the family ship through dangerous waters.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the books, readers should know that the series blends fast-paced prose with illustrations. Juliana Neufeld's playful drawings make the books incredibly accessible, especially for reluctant readers. Additionally, while James Patterson is the primary author, the collaboration with Chris Grabenstein brings a signature humor and lighthearted sibling banter that balances the high-stakes dangers, which range from scuba ninjas to real-world historical threats.