The Treasure of Assateague Island

About the Book

Children's Best Seller List: Summer 2005, Trafford Publishing

This charming tale is a blend of authentic boyhood adventure coupled with Old Eastern Shore legends experienced by the author during his boyhood years on Chincoteague Island, Virginia. More than just a children's book, The Treasure of Assateague Island tells about a strong and independent people who earned their living from the sea and a fast fading way of life which still exists in pockets on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia.

The excitement begins when twelve-year-old Frankie and his friend find treasure on Assateague Island, which was buried there long ago by Blackbeard the Pirate. This story with its many twists and turns, villains and skeletons, and beauty and challenges of nature will appeal to all adventure lovers and to those who have fallen under the spell of this beautiful and special place.

Many Chincoteague Island visitors stopped by the bookstore and reminisced with Frank about their own boyhoods not long ago when they had the freedom of a summer day and their mothers would say to them in the morning "Be home by dinner!". Like Frankie the day was all theirs and it became an adventure.

This summer best seller, although fictional, presents a relatively accurate picture of Blackbeard the Pirate; and Frankie's boyhood story is told from life experiences.

About the Author

Frank grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Born in Northampton County in 1940, he was raised on Chincoteague Island during the late 40's and early 50's on the "gut", a narrows between Chincoteague Channel and Chincoteague Bay where he experienced many of the outdoor adventures of Frankie and Skip in the story. At the time the entire Eastern Shore was remote and isolated from the mainland, with no bridges or tunnels to connect to Virginia and Maryland's western shore. A bridge across to Assateague Island was not in existence at the time either.

In addition to his experiences and enjoyment of nature on Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, Frank saw the best of two worlds from his back door where the Chincoteague Naval Air Station was visible. The development of jet aircraft and rocketry at Wallops Island introduced him to the beauty and excitement of science.

Frank graduated from Atlantic High School (Arcadia) in 1958 and went on to a career as a professional biologist and life-long naturalist who has spoken and published at many zoological societies. As a government scientist Frank participated in oyster research in the Chesapeake Bay. The story of how a pearl is formed in a oyster inspired his newest book for young children, Sandy and the Dancing Waves.

Frank is retired and lives in Greenbelt, Maryland with his wife Therese. They have two married children, Mary and John, and three grandchildren. He enjoys his hobbies: wildlife biology, writing, painting, Senior Olympics and travel.