Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thoughtful, satisfying end to historical adventure series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Henry, Simon, and Jack Barker, along with friend Delilah, remain entranced by Superstition Mountain's mysteries. Lured by the stories of lost gold, they find themselves shadowed by a trio of treasure hunters. Curious questions are piling up: Did Uncle Hank leave them a secret clue? Who's the mysterious Prita with whom he exchanged letters? Is the town librarian really a woman who lived a century earlier -- and is the Barkers' cat a reincarnation of the 19th-century woman's pet? Is Jack doomed to die because he snuck some gold flakes from a cursed mine? Their quest for answers draws the children to grave sites, a ghost town, and the looming mountain, which tests their courage in surprising ways.
Is It Any Good?
REVENGE OF SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN is an entertaining conclusion to this charming adventure mystery, making up for slow pacing earlier in the series. The kids return to familiar scenes from the earlier books -- the cemetery, a ghost town, and of course the mountain -- but this time the threads are pulled together nicely.
The action picks up in this final installment, with new twists and answers to long-simmering questions. But it's Henry's contemplation of the passing of generations that's likely to stick with readers. As the kids visit graves and sift through the past, Henry considers how the past influences the future and what remains behind when a life ends.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Henry's thoughts on courage, that acting brave is a way to be brave. Have you ever acted braver than you felt?
Did you find the series finale a satisfying conclusion? How does this installment compare with the first two books?
Would you have read Uncle Hank's letters? Would you want your descendants to read your letters, emails, or journal?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrators : Olga Ivanov , Aleksey Ivanov
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publication date : August 26, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate