[Finding Fortune] [Author: Pippa Goodhart] [April, 2013]

by Pippa Goodhart

Ida's mother has died, leaving her in the charge of her beloved Fa - only it seems like Ida's the one who does most of the caring. When Fa decides to travel to the Klondike in search of gold, leaving Ida in the care of her Grandmama, Ida knows she must find a way to go with him.

Genres: Middle Grade, Adventure

Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Pippa Goodhart is the author of over a hundred children’s books, including the prize-winning picture book You Choose, and the Winnie the Witch series which she writes under the pen name of Laura Owen. She trained as a teacher and worked for many years in bookselling before becoming a mother and a writer.

See Laura Owen

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a lot of ways, this book reminded me of every other middle grade story. Dead parent(s), misfortune or fortune, adventure across the ocean, hard trials, etc etc...
Pippa's character is what saved this book from being boring, while at the same time not exiting enough to make me love the novel. She was smart, witty, willing to learn, and kept her father in place.
But her father 🙄 drove. Me. Crazy. How can a grown man be so ignorant? He would have run out of money and died by that mountain if Pippa hadn't been there to talk some sense into him.
The plot was different than other gold rush stories, which always take place out west. But the story line was the same, and wasn't that exciting.
Overall, this book was enough to keep me reading, but it is definitely not one of my favorites. I would recommend it to anyone who loves middle grade adventures.

[Sonam · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting plot by an author whose books I've never read before. This book, set in the 1890s, follows the journey of a father and daughter through the eyes of the young daughter. For this, the style of writing is young and immature, mostly because it's through the eyes of a child. Truthfully, this makes the book frustrating, and I think had the narration been in a more intricate use of language, the book might fair better.

It was admittedly a very slow start to get into this book, but then I've read about 75% of the rest of it today. It isn't a tough read in the slightest.

Good for an easy read. But likely would not read again.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to get into and put me in a minor reading slump but overall I liked the plot and the writing consistency

[Sorrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a matter of hours. I loved it so much! It was well written and depicted the journey to the highest degree. I felt (and I know it is a cliché) as if I were there. Ida was a nice and warm and brave heroin who proved that a heroine doesn't need a love interest that so many books have today. I loved her Fa as if he were my own even if I was annoyed at his willingness to trust. So here's my synopsis of the story:
Ida is a young girl who's mother Isabella has died recently. Her Fa is of much lower rank than her mama's family was and they scorn Ida and her Fa. However, they live in one of the families home after the death of Isabella. However, Grandmama has plans for both Ida and Fa. Ida is going to boarding school (a fate she doesn't mind for the most part) but she must be separated from her Fa (the only true family she has left in the world) who is paid to leave and make a life else where.
So Ida convinces her Fa to let her go with him. Their destination: Klondike, in Canada. Their venture: finding gold and becoming rich in the gold rush happening there at the time. The trip is perilous and con artists, swindlers and chancers litter the way. How will Ida and her too trusting Fa make it. And will they even find the gold they so need? When searching for something so fickle be prepared not to get what you bargained for.

A lovely tale that gave me a warm feeling of "Ah" upon it's finish. I love it and I hope that anyone else reading it will love it just as muchxxx

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed reading this book - what a journey! Ida has qualities that I would like all the people in the world to have. Also the main message of the book is valuable, although it is a cliché.
Pipa's writing style is adequate for that particular time, and is capable of making the readers truly feel the emotions she is expressing.
In my opinion, this is not a great book, it lacks that little something that makes you want to read it until the end, although you have just started... But it is a good book, so I rate it with 3 stars, and I do recommend you to read it!

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant plot - father and daughter go to look for gold in the Klondike - that will appeal to children (and adults!) who enjoyed the Laura Ingalls Wilder stories, or Children of the Oregon trail. An easy read, and a beautifully designed cover

[Codex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5.