Amidst the Gold Dust is a colorful collection of individual biographies about 5 women who braved the western frontier. At first glance, each woman seems vastly different: a newly freed slave just tasting her freedom, a Native American fighting against the loss of her culture, a caregiving wanderer trying her hand at prospecting, a refined Englishwoman venturing into the untamed wilderness, and a miner's wife turned society woman/fund raiser. Despite their outward differences, these women have much in common and much to teach us about hardships and preserving courageous spirits.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up-This collection of biographies combines historical data and fictional narrative. (The author calls her work "creative nonfiction.") In diary format, the main characters and people who knew them tell their stories. Isabella Bird, a refined Englishwoman, explored the Rocky Mountains on horseback in the 1870s. Clara Brown, a freed slave, traveled to Kansas in 1859 and later to Colorado where she helped other ex-slaves establish new lives. Margaret Brown, known as the "unsinkable Molly Brown," grew up in Hannibal, MO, traveled to the mining districts of Colorado, and married a miner who struck it rich. Nellie Cashman, an Irish immigrant, moved with her sister to Boston and then to San Francisco. Later, she worked as a miner and owned a restaurant in Tombstone, AZ. Sarah Winnemucca, a Northern Paiute, experienced discrimination, saw her people mistreated by Anglos, and served as a translator between the two groups. All the figures have much in common: determination, perseverance, and hard work. It is easy to forget that segments of the book are fictional narrative, so careful, discerning reading is crucial. Black-and-white photographs and reproductions of historical artifacts in soft gray tones appear throughout.
Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From the Publisher
Five women's stories flesh out the true spirit of the West!
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amidst the Gold Dust,
By A Customer
This review is from: Amidst the Gold Dust: Women Who Forged the West (Paperback)
The compelling stories in AMIDST THE GOLD DUST bring to life the exciting and difficult stories of five fascinating women - a welcome departure from typical Wild West histories which usually consider the era in terms of its famous men.Ms. Danneberg's use of a 'fictional narrative' style is an effective and accessible approach for middle and upper grade readers. Telling the women's stories from various first- and third-person perspectives keeps the subject matter fresh and realistic, and allows for the author's creative use of voice. (I think this format would lend itself well to class biography or autobiography assignments.) Ms. Danneberg imaginatively weaves historical tidbits into the narrative which, coupled with informational sidebars, makes AMIDST THE GOLD DUST as educationally enriching as it is enjoyable.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amidst the Gold Dust,
By A Customer
This review is from: Amidst the Gold Dust: Women Who Forged the West (Paperback)
The compelling stories in AMIDST THE GOLD DUST bring to life the exciting and difficult stories of five fascinating women - a welcome departure from typical Wild West histories which usually consider the era in terms of its famous men.Ms. Danneberg's use of a 'fictional narrative' style is an effective and accessible approach for middle and upper grade readers. Telling the women's stories from various first- and third-person perspectives keeps the subject matter fresh and realistic, and allows for the author's creative use of voice. (I think this format would lend itself well to class biography or autobiography assignments.) Ms. Danneberg imaginatively weaves historical tidbits into the narrative which, coupled with informational sidebars, makes AMIDST THE GOLD DUST as educationally enriching as it is enjoyable.
4.0 out of 5 stars
History comes alive!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Amidst the Gold Dust: Women Who Forged the West (Paperback)
As five strong, resourceful women tell their stories of life in the 1800's, readers can feel their courage, sense of adventure, struggles, fears, and joyous triumphs. These women are fascinating, very human role models. Readers will not only learn about the history of the Wild West, but also gain insight into people who made an impact on its development. Their voices linger with me even after finishing the book.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
