Customer Reviews

Gold Rush Fever: A Story of the Klondike, 1898

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

 

 

Reason for Reading: Read aloud to my 9yo as part of our history curriculum.

As others from this series of like books from Greenwood and Collins an historical fiction tale is interspersed with non-fiction sections that expound upon information presented within the fictional story. While other books contained crafts in the non-fiction sections this book can't really be said to have crafts, there are a couple of experiments, a card game, a recipe and recommended reading instead.

Another difference is that rather than being about a family as in the Pioneer books and the Underground Railroad book, this book features in on two orphaned brothers: one almost a man, the other 13 years old, Tim. Tim narrates the story and tells of how he and his brother head on out for the great stampede north to Dawson City where they aim to make their fortune. Greenwood has presented a very realistic tale of all the hardships experienced along the way, though she does stay away from any of the grizzly details. She tells of the trials of the Chilkoot Pass, the river, the lawlessness before reaching Canada where the Mounties ruled with an iron fist and the backbreaking, often hopeless working a claim. The characters in this book seem to have more than the average share of good luck but still it comes out an entertaining and informational book on the topic. Particularly nice in this book, over the others, is the inclusion of real photographs which adds even more reality to the story. A good beginning book on the topic with plenty of information to get a good overview of the Gold Rush. Not my favourite of the series though.

This is about two boys named Tim and Roy living with their aunt Ravhel. All of a sudden they discover that there is a gold rush going on in the Yukon. When they got there, they had to climb and climb until they reached the golden stairs. Then they had two choices, White Pass or the Chilkoot Pass. They took the Chilkoot Pass because it was longer but it was safer. Then they reached Lake Lindeman. They had to form a group and build a boat at to get to Lake Bennett. They reached Lake Bennett in one peice then they found the town Dawson. They tried searching for gold but had no luck. They got a claim. They struck it rich, they only had enough to get home and have a little left for their aunt Rachel to see. So they went home happy and content as can be. Read this book it will take you back to the time of the gold rushes.
Review by: Frances

This book is thick and has a great story line like Pioneer Sampler by the same author. The educational value is great, but not as detailed as The Pioneer Sampler. Pioneer Sampler has more specifics as far as preserving food and the daily survival of Pioneers. This book takes you into the time period and the excitement of the gold rush, the hopes and dreams, but also the harsh reality of living the sour-dough lifestyle. There are instructions for making a sour-dough starter and biscuits. The focus is really more on the story though. the drawings are well done and there are a few authentic photos too. I am very pleased with this book. We are reading it and are going to watch White Fang to go with the theme.