13 Treasures facts for kids
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| Author | Michelle Harrison |
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| Series | The Thirteen Treasures |
| Genre | Juvenile fantasy |
| Publisher | Hachette Digital |
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Publication date
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2009 |
| Media type | online |
| ISBN | 978-0-316-04148-5 |
| Followed by | 13 Curses 13 Secrets |
13 Treasures is an exciting fantasy novel written by Michelle Harrison. It was published in 2009 and is the first book in "The Thirteen Treasures" series. The story is about a young girl named Tanya who has a very special secret: she can see magical creatures like fairies!
Contents
Awards
13 Treasures won a special award in 2009. It received the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, which is a big honor for children's books.
Synopsis
Meet Tanya and Her Special Gift
The story of 13 Treasures follows a 13-year-old girl named Tanya. She has a rare gift called "second sight." This means she can see and hear fairies and other magical creatures. These creatures live in the woods and many other places around us.
However, Tanya has learned to keep her gift a secret. When she tried to tell people about the fairies, they didn't believe her. She even ended up talking to doctors and therapists because of it.
A Summer at Elvesden Manor
Tanya is sent to spend the summer with her grandmother at Elvesden Manor. This happens after another fairy incident at her home. Elvesden Manor is a very old house that has been in her family for many years.
Fabian, a boy her age, also lives at the manor with his father, Warwick, and his grandfather, Amos. Amos has been connected to a mystery from 50 years ago. A young girl named Morwenna Bloom disappeared in the nearby woods, and Amos was the last person to see her.
Unraveling an Old Mystery
At first, Tanya and Fabian don't get along very well. But as they spend more time together, they start to become good friends. In the local village, Tickey End, Tanya meets a mysterious old woman called Mad Morag. Morag gives Tanya an old compass.
One day, while cleaning an old library, Tanya finds a unique silver bracelet. It has thirteen special charms on it. She also discovers old newspaper clippings about Morwenna Bloom, the girl who vanished 50 years ago. Tanya and Fabian decide to work together. They want to investigate Morwenna's disappearance and prove that Amos, Fabian's grandfather, is innocent.
New Friends and Hidden Secrets
Tanya also meets and befriends a girl named Red, whose real name is Rowan. Red has a secret mission: she helps "changelings." Changelings are fairy babies who have been swapped with human babies. Their magic disguises can wear off, and Red helps them survive.
It is revealed that only people who have a changeling in their family can have the "second sight." Tanya learns that Elizabeth Elvesden, an ancestor in her own family, was a changeling. This explains Tanya's special ability.
Into the Fairy World
Tanya, Red, and Fabian follow clues left by Morwenna in a hidden poem. They go deep into the woods. It turns out that Morwenna didn't just disappear; she went into the fairy world 50 years ago! Now, she wants to come back to the human world.
Tanya's grandmother, Florence, doesn't like Morwenna. This is because Florence almost went into the fairy world herself a long time ago but changed her mind at the last moment. Morwenna was very upset about this. She even threatened to take Tanya's mom into the fairy world. However, Florence tricked Morwenna and gained 28 more years of safety. Now, Morwenna wants Tanya.
The Final Showdown
One night, Tanya finds herself bound by magical vines. Red creates a distraction, and Tanya's dog eats Morwenna's fairy helper, Feathercap. Red tries to cut the vines, but it's too late. Meanwhile, Fabian rushes back to the house. He needs to find a lock of Morwenna's hair that is in the human world. This hair is what keeps her from aging.
It is revealed that Amos loved Morwenna and felt responsible for her disappearance. Fabian's father, Warwick, is also a fairy hunter. He took a special potion to be able to see fairies. Fabian and Warwick take Morwenna's lock of hair to the middle of the forest and burn it.
As Tanya is about to be pulled into the fairy world, Red bravely cuts her own hand. The magical vines take Red instead of Tanya. Tanya goes back to the mansion. On the way, she sees Morwenna. With her lock of hair destroyed, Morwenna suddenly ages 50 years. The shock of this change causes her to pass away. Mad Morag finds her the next morning.
A New Beginning
Tanya returns to the mansion and talks with her grandmother. They finally understand each other and forgive past hurts.
