A Tale of Gold
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Book Overview
GOLD GOLD GOLD scream the headlines in July 1987, announcing the discovery of gold in the Yukon. Fourteen-year-old James Erickson, alone in the world after his father's death, is mesmerized when he sees the first ship of prospectors enter the San Francisco harbor. Caught up in the gold fever, he books passage on a steamer up to Alaska. In Alaska, James meets Tip, a skinny boy who turns out to be a girl--and the only person James trusts to be his partner. Together they embark on a treacherous trek over the mountains and down the river, battling rapids, con men, and the cold. When their survival skills--and their dedication to each other--are tested, James and Tip wonder whether their exhausting journey will be worth it. Is their fortune waiting just beyond the next bend? And what are they willing to risk to find out?
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1442430907
ISBN13:9781442430907
Release Date:April 2011
Publisher:Margaret K. McElderry Books
Length:160 Pages
Weight:0.39 lbs.
Dimensions:0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"
Age Range:8 to 12 years
Grade Range:Grades 3 to 7
Customer Reviews
1 rating
Rollicking Tale of the Yukon Gold Rush
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
I loved this book ! It follows 14yr old James Erickson's adventures from San Francisco all the way to the Yukon, and then through a year or so of Yukon toil and troubles in his quest for gold. It is told in a light, borderline humorous "vein". The gritty harshness of the search for gold and those who sought it are downplayed, which is most appropriate for the age of the targeted readers. James Erickson is young and naturally does not have to take life as seriously as a man in the gold fields who has a family to support. James eventually takes a partner with which to stake his claim and (plot spoiler here) she is a delight, dressed in men's clothing of course. Their timely friendship with another gold hunter develops into a heartwarming ending to the story. The amount of detail included in this story is amazing. It appears to be very solidly researched and is a real "find" for anyone wishing to learn about the Yukon gold rush. I recommend it highly for grades 3-8, with an emphasis on grades 4-6, or even a read-aloud as young as second grade.
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