Treasure Forest: Winner Of The Nautilus Award For Best Young Adult Fiction, 2004

by Cat Bordhi

"How can you retrieve a treasure from the bottom of a pond without disturbing the water?" This is the challenge left for Ben by his Grandma Daphne, who has just died in the mysterious forest near her home. The author, Cat Bordhi, narrates how Ben and his sister Sara convince their reluctant parents to move there, in spite of the fierce hermit who lives beyond the swamp.

Ben and Sara learn the deepest truths of the forest while their parents’ worst fears seem to be realized. A wheelchair-bound private eye with a three-legged bloodhound, a Zen-master-like woman, an acorn flute homing device, Grandma Daphne’s invisible presence, a tree house knit right into a tree, and a golden thread will guide you, as well as Ben and Sara, to discover the life-changing answer the mysterious riddle of the pond. Though targeted for ages 10 and up, older readers (adults) are also likely to find this first novel a highly memorable even haunting reading experience on every level. 'Treasure Forest' is Book One of 'The Forest Inside' trilogy.

The Nautilus Book Awards recognize and honor books that contribute significantly to conscious living and positive social change.