Snow Treasure By: Marie McSwigan Scholastic Inc copyright

Setting This story takes place during the winter in the 1940’s. This time period is important to the story because if it weren’t winter, the children would not be able to bury the gold under the snowmen. It is also important because it would make the soldiers suspect them because they are using sleds and it’s not even winter! The 1940’s is when World War II took place, so children would not have to get past soldiers if it weren’t the 1940’s.

Peter Lundstrom The most important character in the story was Peter. This character’s main goal was to bring all of Norway’s money to America. Norway wants to take all their money to America because Uncle Victor heard that almost all the countries are sending their money to America so it will be safe. To do that, Peter and his friends must get past Nazi guards with at least 2 “bricks” (gold/money) hidden inside their sleds.

Nazis The Nazis are important because there wouldn’t have been a war without them. The Nazis are also important because without the them, Peter and his friends wouldn’t have to bury the gold to hide in the snow.

Town’s People The towns people have to endure blackouts, every night. The people have to do this because at night the Nazis do most of their action, so they must hide. The town’s people are important because some German soldiers or Nazis are flying in army planes at night and they would know where there are people to attack because of the lights on.

Problem/Solution The biggest or most important problem or conflict in the story was that the Nazis have started out to look for their missing soldier, or as the book states, runaway soldier. This was a problem because the soldiers are going to look in the “snake.” The snake is where Peter and his friends bury the gold. If the Nazis look in the snake Peter and his friends might get caught burring the gold. The problem was solved when Peter sailed to America along with Uncle Victor, Rolls, Jan, and the gold. He went along to America because he was held prisoner by the Nazis for throwing a snowball at the Commandent’s ear. So, he was busted out by Jan and taken to Uncle Victor’s boat.

Vocabulary Forbidding-Ordered not to do something “So the darkness outside was all the more forbidding.” Dreaded-To look forward to with fear “SOON would come the moment the four children dreaded-the first German sentry.” Avoid-To keep away from “He didn’t see how he could avoid knocking them down like ten pins.” Cradling-To hug and wrap arms around something or someone “A heavy coat was put over him and a pair of arms were cradling him.” Camouflage- Blending in with something “The Cleng was pretty well covered by camouflage so she could be moved to the mouth of the Snake.”

Made By: Julia Emery, Zach Billamack, and Ana Karen Salinas 4 th Grade Miss Pearl’s Class May 28,2013