This Odyssey book series explores the history of the much-loved character John Avery Whittaker. The series introduces newcomers to the larger world of Odyssey. For readers who are already Odyssey-philes, the novels provide the history of the franchise's most important character.

Whit and his family (father, Harold; stepmother, Fiona; half-sister, Charlie) have just moved to Provenance, NC, in the middle of the Great Depression. Harold will be teaching at nearby Duke University. Not-quite-10-year-old Johnny soon makes a friend in Emmy, who lives across the street and joins him in his adventures. At his new school, he encounters a bully who makes his life miserable, and he makes a new friend in Huck, the custodian. Both of them play key roles in the mysteries and action.

The central mystery in book 1 involves Confederate gold missing since the end of the Civil War and the question of whether Johnny's ancestor was the coward and thief who stole it, as everyone believes.

Audience:: Children
Author:: Phil Lollar & Dave Arnold
Language:: English
Pages:: 240
Publication Date:: 2018-09-04
Publisher:: Tyndale House Publishers
Format:: Book
Topic:: Parenting
Binding:: Hardcover
Series:: Young Whit

6 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews

5
Loved it! Great read for 8 year olds - 108 year olds

Posted by Lifelong AIO Fan on Jul 27th 2023

What a great book! I really enjoyed it! I listened to the audiobook version with my younger siblings and they enjoyed it as well. I am disappointed to hear that there will be no more audiobooks, as I felt that the audiobooks made it possible for younger children who can't read as well to get into the series. There were so many plot twists. I liked how challenging the riddle was, and how the Bible was monumental in decoding it. This was my first time reading the Young Whit series and it was very easy to get into. Thank you Focus for this incredible book!
5
One of the best books AIO has ever done

Posted by D. Hill on Feb 26th 2019

This book is awesome. I was so into it that I would have a hard time putting it down. I think I finished it in about a week or less. In my opinion it is one of the best books AIO has ever done and I cannot wait for book 2!!! Great job Phil and Dave!!!!
5
Loved it!

Posted by Brittany Elswick on Jan 4th 2019

I absolutely loved this book! I'm a lifelong AIO fan and this book answered so many questions I had about Whit's past. The story was excellent and I can't wait to read the next one!
5
Page turner!

Posted by Deborah Fields on Dec 18th 2018

Excellent story! Great for the age group or even adults :-) Look forward to the next installment
5
Young Whit: the Traitors's Treasure

Posted by Adventures in Odyssey Enthusiast on Sep 19th 2018

Pro: I really enjoyed this first installment of Young Whit's early years. I could not put the book down once I started reading it. The plot was well thought out. I admit the scripture references were ingenious in uncovering the treasure location. Con: I know Whit was hailed as the Hero, however, Huck's Grandfather was a hero as well and was not mentioned as one except by Youngs Whit. Huck's integrity and honesty in spite of the town's bias towards color should have been highlighted as well.
5
Great read for my son

Posted by Robin on Sep 15th 2018

I pre-ordered this book for my son who doesn't have a background in the Adventures In Odyssey series so this was like an introduction to it for him. He says he would like to tell the authors that it was "really good because I like mysteries and it had a lot of action." He also enjoyed the historical component. We like that it is such a nice book asthetically with a colorful, sturdy hard cover and a color map of where Johnny Whittaker lives on the inside of the cover. The chapters are short and very readable for kids just getting into chapter books. We actually are on the website tonight looking to see if there is information about the next book in this series. Thanks Focus!