Editorial Content for The Treasure of Maria Mamoun

A pirate adventure like no other, THE TREASURE OF MARIA MAMOUN has less swashbuckling and more sentiment. It’s the story of  the titular Maria Mamoun, a lonely girl from a poor and sunless neighborhood of the Bronx who finds herself seeking treasure on the islands around Martha’s Vineyard.

"Chalfoun succeeds in balancing the fantastic, like treasures and gala parties, with the ordinary, like a smart but ordinary looking heroine and descriptions of good food and crowded houses."

Maria lives with her hardworking single mother, Celeste, but the two rarely see each other as Celeste, a nurse from Lebanon, works so much. Maria, whose father returned to Puerto Rico shortly after she was born, spends most of her time alone or avoiding the Bad Barbies, a group of bullies who pick on her at school and harass her in the apartment building they share.  After the Bad Barbies attack Maria towards the end of the school year, Celeste decides it’s too dangerous and unhealthy to stay in the Bronx and finds a job as a private nurse on Martha’s Vineyard. Before she knows it, Maria is settling into  a cozy island cottage so very different from the crowded streets she is used to. The cottage belongs to an elderly eccentric movie producer named Mr. Ironwall, who has been sickly and reclusive for years and is lately recovering from a stroke.  Even before Maria meets Mr. Ironwall, or is hired as his dog-walker, she discovers what appears to be a treasure map in the attic of her new home. After some research and some conversations with Mr. Ironwall at his family’s huge mansion, Maria learns more about the map and the history of the island and becomes convinced that finding the treasure will solve all of her and Celeste’s problems. But how will she find the treasure and who will help her? Luckily, Maria finds a beautiful sailboat and a partner in crime in a local misunderstood boy named Paolo.

THE TREASURE OF MARIA MAMOUN does several things really well. Maria’s motivation for treasure hunting (and risk-taking) is meaningful and her 12-year-old naivete is refreshing. There are a number of compelling characters even if we don’t get to know them well. Author Michelle Chalfoun infuses the novel with wonderful insight into culture; that of Celeste’s Lebanese heritage and that of the Martha’s Vineyard residents, especially the Newcomb family, several of whom play important supporting roles. Both Maria and Paolo are a bit lost and quite lonely and their reluctant friendship is nicely plotted. Chalfoun succeeds in balancing the fantastic, like treasures and gala parties, with the ordinary, like a smart but ordinary looking heroine and descriptions of good food and crowded houses.

Of course there is a feel good resolution but there are plenty of mishaps and a great deal of tension along the way. Overall this is a sweet and entertaining debut.