The Big Book of Treasures: The Most Amazing Discoveries Ever Made and Still to be Made

Treasure hunts aren’t just the stuff of legend: Homigstein presents 23 stories of real-life riches lost and found (most of the time) and those who have tirelessly sought them out. Among them are archaeological and paleontological discoveries including the tomb of Tutankhamun and the fossilized remains of an Archaeopteryx, biblical objects such as the original menorah, and precious cargo lost at sea. Some plunders—including a 1929 haul taken by the Sass brothers, two German bank robbers—have never been found. The theft of the 1966 World Cup trophy, meanwhile, concluded with its recovery by a collie named Pickles. Though the small italic type isn’t always easy to read, especially set against Attia’s playful full-page graphics, these varied stories of theft and discovery should pique readers’ imaginations. Ages 8–12. (Oct.)