Andy Sweet is a kid without much going for him. His classmates have dubbed him "Duct Tape" because his tattered discount-store sneakers are held together with...you guessed it, duct tape. He can't escape the bullying. Andy's luck changes after he finds a $20 gold piece on the stream bed while swimming with his sister in a stream near their home. Andy later buys a $1 souvenir treasure map at the county fair. The map shows the route to the "lost treasure" of the notorious outlaw Jesse James. Andy can't help but wonder: is there a link between the "fake" treasure map and the gold coin? He is determined to find out.