Customer Reviews

Gold Fever

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Written in short, cryptic and perfectly rhymed and metered verse, Verla Kay's Gold Fever presents an amusing and authentic picture of the excitement and hardships of California's Gold Rush. The illustrations match the humorous text.

I used this book as an introduction to the CA Gold Rush. I teach ESL at the middle school level. The kids loved the pictures and the rhymes used in this book. Gold Fever really showed the problems faced by men like poor Jaspar. I highly recommend this book.

As a water educator, I include this book in the pre-teaching packet I send to the class prior to my 4th grade presentation, "California Water." It's a quick and fun way give students a feel for the realities of the gold rush. A great companion for California's 4th grade curriculum.

I purchased this book for my 4 yr old nephew to go along with a Gold Panning Kit. He completely understood about gold panning and enjoyed being read to about it.

Very good book for young children to introduce them to the idea the California Gold Rush was not all glitter! It was cold, wet and most people didn't get rich. The writer tells the story in descriptive words that convey the essence of the period. Jasper is cute!

Schindler's "scratchy" illustrations and Kay's sparse, effectual text unite to create a delightful picture book that begs to be read aloud. Add it to your library!

After my kids and I read this book, we all had a lot of questions about the Gold Rush and wanted to learn more. We found it funny and interesting. It's one my kids want to read over and over- probably because of her rhymes. This book makes an excellent birthday present too!

Gold Fever is a short, but unforgetable book. In very few words it tells the story of Jasper, who starts out to find gold in California but finds only hard, discouraging work. His return home to a loving family is a satisfying conclusion. An unusual view of history and one that young children can enjoy. I have read this book to second grade classes and the response has been delight and requests to "read it again". The pictures are just right and add delightful humor to the text.

"Gold Fever" is written in cryptic rhyme, for this is meant to reflect the time. Picture perfect for any reader, illustrated by "artsey" leader. Young and old folks alike appreciate Verla's authoritative delight. We who dream and think of gold abundance need to stop and remember Jasper's repugnance. Even those of us who shouldn't write find ourselves mimicing,lest no too trite. Anecdotal as it may be, "Gold Fever" reaps of Five Star glee!

The words, though few, are perfect in giving the reader a sense of the Gold Rush and all that it entailed. Ms. Kay's style is refereshing. The illustrations by Mr. Schindler are nothing less than excellent. A happy addition to our children's library.