• Age: 9 to 11
• Grade: 5

Pete's Gold, a novel for readers ten and up, is a captivating book of adventure that will appeal in particular to boys. Luanne Armstrong takes the classic adventure story of the search for gold and updates it with the inclusion of a young boy's contemporary problems. Pete has been sent to stay with his grandmother in the country for the summer because his parents are splitting up. At first, he thinks country life will be boring, but that is before he hears of a hidden stash of gold - gold that may allow his grandmother to keep the farm that is heavily mortgaged. Along the way, Pete makes new friends. He also finds himself being chased by a ghost, trapped in a cave with a skeleton, and lost on the far side of the lake, far from help. Through the stories told by his grandmother, and with the companionship of a wonderful dog, Pete begins to discover what really matters to him. Although he has always had a hard time talking to adults, by helping his grandmother, Pete discovers a new sense of maturity and self-confidence. In this adventurous but sensitive story, Luanne Armstrong draws us into a world of discovery, fun, friendship and family.

Luanne Armstrong, MFA, Ph.D, is a novelist, freelance writer, editor, and publisher. She is deeply interested in writing about place and nature. Her research interests also include the ethics of autobiographical writing, ecological identity, and writing as inquiry. She has published over fifty stories and essays in magazines and journals, and is the author of fourteen books, including poetry, novels, and children’s books. She has been nominated for numerous prizes and awards. Her first novel, Annie, was a best-seller in Germany. Her YA novel, Jeannie and the Gentle Giants, was nominated for Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year, the Sheila Egoff BC Book Prize Award and the Red Cedar Award. It placed second in the Silver Birch Award. It was also named by McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg as one of their top ten all time best children’s books. Luanne has taught Creative Writing for many years at the college level including at Langara College, and at summer schools in BC and Alberta. She is a popular speaker and workshop leader at writing conferences. She is presently working on a book about the ethics of autobiographical writing for Pacific Educational Press as well as a book of essays about environmental ethics. She is an adjunct professor of Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. Luanne currently lives on her organic heritage farm in the Kootenay region of BC.

Luanne Armstrong's profile page

Pete’s Gold

This is an engaging adventure story about a thirteen-year-old boy who makes a lucrative discovery while spending the summer at his grandmother’s farm. His parent’s ‘trial separation’ and transient life styles lead to Pete being sent from his home in Victoria to his grandmother’s small farm located in the Kootenays. Pete feels out of place, friendless and stuck with a relative he has not seen in years. Pete makes many mistakes but then matures a little, makes friends, sees a ghost, learns to appreciate his family, and finally makes a fabulous discovery! The story deals with issues such as divorce, debt, ageism and illness.

Armstrong’s Annie won the Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice Award and Jeanie and the Gentle Giants was nominated for a Silver Birch Award.

Caution: There are a couple of factual errors and inconsistencies in the book.

Pete’s Gold

Pete’s been sent to stay with his grandmother in the country for the summer because his parents are getting a divorce. At first, he thinks country life will be boring, but that’s before he hears of a hidden stash of gold — gold that may allow his grandmother to keep the farm that is heavily mortgaged.