Melissa Wray (text) and Sandy Flett (illustrator), The Lost Loot of Lima, Wombat Books, June 2025, 128 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761111600
Treasure, pirates, a seaside town on school holidays – this new novella by Melissa Wray has bucket loads of appeal for readers 8-plus. It’s Ben’s first holiday at Nan and Pa’s house since the death of his beloved grandfather and he’s worried it won’t be the same. But things take a turn when Nan introduces him to a treasure map.
The Lost Loot of Lima fills a gap in the market, providing an enticing yet shorter read for 8- to 12-year-olds. With Sandy Flett’s fun illustrations throughout, it will be an easy read for advanced readers and an achievable one for those not quite ready for a chunky middle-grade.
Wray based the story on the true-ish story of the treasure of pirate Benito Bonito, which may be buried somewhere around Queenscliff. There’s some fascinating back matter on the history and spark for the story.
This book would make a great class read-aloud for primary school students and act as a model for using true stories to spark creative writing.
Reviewed by Heather Gallagher
