The Wreckers by Iain Lawrence

This book could be classified as a historical fiction too, and I gave it a rating of four out of five. John Spencer is sailing for the first time on his father's ship when it encounters a storm and crashes into some huge rocks. John wakes up on the shore and witnesses men drowning a ship worker who had survived. He discovers that the residents of the town actually mislead ships into crashing along their shoreline. They then take the food, money, and any other valuables from the wreckage. Some of the residents disagree with this practice but are afraid to speak up. Several questions remain about the ship that John was aboard. Did his father survive? Was there a treasure hidden in the barrels full of sawdust? Will the people of the town allow John to stay alive, and who can he trust?

This plot is even more interesting when you realize that it's based on actual events. Suspense was developed when John's life was threatened, and his new friend's father was behaving suspiciously. The secrets of the hidden treasure and John's father weren't revealed until the end. Hint: There is a sequel to this book called The Smugglers.