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Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush
Here is a compelling middle grade nonfiction tale of how one classic writer drew upon a rugged life of adventure to create works of literature, punctuated by stunning black-and-white art by Wendell Minor and illustrative photographic material.
Swept up in the Gold Rush of 1897, young Jack London headed north to strike it rich in the Klondike and discovered something more precious than gold―the seeds of the stories that would flower into his classic novels The Call of the Wild and White Fang , and timeless short stories such as "To Build A Fire." This gripping tale follows London as he treks up the ruthless Chilkoot Trail, braves the lethal Whitehorse Rapids, survives a bad case of scurvy, and conquers many more dangers of the Yukon during his quest for gold.
A Christy Ottaviano Book
Swept up in the Gold Rush of 1897, young Jack London headed north to strike it rich in the Klondike and discovered something more precious than gold―the seeds of the stories that would flower into his classic novels The Call of the Wild and White Fang , and timeless short stories such as "To Build A Fire." This gripping tale follows London as he treks up the ruthless Chilkoot Trail, braves the lethal Whitehorse Rapids, survives a bad case of scurvy, and conquers many more dangers of the Yukon during his quest for gold.
A Christy Ottaviano Book
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
8 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Peter Lourie
43 books13 followersPeter is an award-winning author, professor, and explorer. He has written over two dozen nonfiction books for children and adults spanning topics from adventure and the environment to polar bears and lost treasure.
His forthcoming book, Locked in Ice: Nansen's Daring Quest for the North Pole is a spellbinding biography of Fridtjof Nansen, the pioneer of polar exploration, with a spotlight on his harrowing three-year journey to the top of the world.
A true adventurer, Lourie has traveled all over the world to research his subjects, from the cloud forest in Ecuador in search of Inca treasure, to Lake Turkana in northwestern Kenya on the Ethiopian border, to Terra del Fuego and the jungles of Rondonia, Brazil.
His forthcoming book, Locked in Ice: Nansen's Daring Quest for the North Pole is a spellbinding biography of Fridtjof Nansen, the pioneer of polar exploration, with a spotlight on his harrowing three-year journey to the top of the world.
A true adventurer, Lourie has traveled all over the world to research his subjects, from the cloud forest in Ecuador in search of Inca treasure, to Lake Turkana in northwestern Kenya on the Ethiopian border, to Terra del Fuego and the jungles of Rondonia, Brazil.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 29, 2017
i'm not a Jack London fan having had to read White Fang in the eighth grade - tortured doggies, look kids! - i picked this up because of the Wendell Minor illos, they are beautiful but outshined by the photos.
The writing is enjoyable until page 100, writing of a man London was probably acquainted with, "Truly he was King of the Klondike, one of the so-called Eldorado Kings, but after touring Europe and marrying a young woman in England, he squandered his money and died penniless, alone in a cabin on a small creek. He had spent his fortune and given away much of it to the church."
The author's definition of "squandering money" is building a hospital and giving it to the church. That sounds like a great use of his money.
And the other thing, the authors' note on page 161 "To tell this tale I've taken a few liberties, We have no direct record of how much mining Jack did...or how much dogsledding experience he had, or how he actually felt and what he actually saw... we don't know if he confronted a wolf and we don't know how many wolves he saw. He could easily have seen more than one. Certainly Jack and the other miners could have had any of the experiences I attempt to capture in this book. I believe I have kept this tale well within the realm of the possible."
So the verifiable facts of this book are 1. Jack London participated in the Klondike gold rush and 2. people that give their money to the church and build a hospital are wasting their money.
So when i give this book to my homeschool teacher friend it will be w/a caveat - this is a book of fiction w/added true stories and terrific photos.
The other thing the author did which i found less than helpful was give an (incomplete) list of London's Klondike stories, novels and non-fiction w/ the starred ones being a good starting point, he suggests starting w/19 of 27 titles. If i'm twelve and somebody gives me a list of 19 different titles to check out at the library as a starting point, i'm going to go play a video game instead or watch a Call of the Wild movie.
The writing is enjoyable until page 100, writing of a man London was probably acquainted with, "Truly he was King of the Klondike, one of the so-called Eldorado Kings, but after touring Europe and marrying a young woman in England, he squandered his money and died penniless, alone in a cabin on a small creek. He had spent his fortune and given away much of it to the church."
The author's definition of "squandering money" is building a hospital and giving it to the church. That sounds like a great use of his money.
And the other thing, the authors' note on page 161 "To tell this tale I've taken a few liberties, We have no direct record of how much mining Jack did...or how much dogsledding experience he had, or how he actually felt and what he actually saw... we don't know if he confronted a wolf and we don't know how many wolves he saw. He could easily have seen more than one. Certainly Jack and the other miners could have had any of the experiences I attempt to capture in this book. I believe I have kept this tale well within the realm of the possible."
So the verifiable facts of this book are 1. Jack London participated in the Klondike gold rush and 2. people that give their money to the church and build a hospital are wasting their money.
So when i give this book to my homeschool teacher friend it will be w/a caveat - this is a book of fiction w/added true stories and terrific photos.
The other thing the author did which i found less than helpful was give an (incomplete) list of London's Klondike stories, novels and non-fiction w/ the starred ones being a good starting point, he suggests starting w/19 of 27 titles. If i'm twelve and somebody gives me a list of 19 different titles to check out at the library as a starting point, i'm going to go play a video game instead or watch a Call of the Wild movie.
August 14, 2017
Taking you back to the time of the Klondike Gold Rush, this book tells the story of Jack London's journey through the Yukon.
This history will help you deeper appreciate the genius of Jack London's stories and deepen your understanding of this important time period in history. This book is fast and not to detailed. Throughout the book there are helpful photographs that bring this story to a higher level.
In my past, I have read many Jack London stories and thoroughly enjoyed them. After reading this story, I feel that I will understand and appreciate Jack London's writing at a whole new level.
A must read for those who are interested in the story of Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush.
4 stars
This history will help you deeper appreciate the genius of Jack London's stories and deepen your understanding of this important time period in history. This book is fast and not to detailed. Throughout the book there are helpful photographs that bring this story to a higher level.
In my past, I have read many Jack London stories and thoroughly enjoyed them. After reading this story, I feel that I will understand and appreciate Jack London's writing at a whole new level.
A must read for those who are interested in the story of Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush.
4 stars
February 19, 2018
Because we are studying the west, I was interested in reading this. I really do not know too much about Jack London or the Klondike Gold Rush. Anyways, the story really shows how Jack was very adventurous and seemed to have a great, intelligent personality. Even though it was a quick read, it was dry. I did enjoy the pictures along the way, but I wish there were more maps in the story.
March 9, 2017
Very interesting! I loved all the photographs.
May 22, 2017
I learned a great deal about the Klondike Gold Rush, but surprisingly little about Jack London. This felt more like an entry in the "You Wouldn't Want to Be" series--and, to be clear, I definitely wouldn't want to be a gold prospector! Transitions between chapters were clunky and the writing was somewhat ho-hum. Quotes often lacked attribution, and it became clear from the author's note that much of what he'd written about Jack's brutal Klondike experience was actually supposition. The photos were a wonderful addition, though, both the historical images and Lourie's modern contributions. A good read for the student who wants to more fully understand the characters and setting that inspired London's later work.
October 24, 2016
Jack London’s short but action-packed life was positively stranger than fiction. From a young age Jack was single-minded in his desire to become a writer and tried to write a thousand words a day. With money always in short supply, London was forced to quit school and worked twelve-hour days as a young teen doing all sorts of labor: canning, running paper routes, selling vegetables and even sailing on a sealing schooner. News that gold had been found along the Klondike River in 1896 gave Jack the perfect new adventure to challenge his high-energy personality. Ambitious and thrill seeking, twenty year old Jack joined the frenzy of the Klondike Gold Stampede and embarked on a true battle against nature. The extreme temperatures of the Yukon Territory bested thousands of men but Jack, tenacious and smart, completed the journey and lived in harsh conditions for nearly a year. For all his blood, sweat and tears he came back to California penniless but rich in story. He had an insider’s knowledge of rugged surroundings which gave authenticity and depth to his writing career. This slim biography is action-packed and even reluctant readers will be swept up by the sheer courage and fortitude London exhibited in his short life. Black and white photos and illustrations are included amidst the text and the novel includes several interesting features on Jack London as well as a time line, glossary, bibliography and index.
Recommended grades 5 and up.
Recommended grades 5 and up.
August 21, 2019
Synopsis:
This is a non-fiction book covering Jack London's life specifically while he was involved with the Klondike gold rush.
My rating:
4/5
I loved how fun this book was to read. Non-fiction can be a drag or can be filled with extraneous detail. This book felt more like reading an adventure story than a non-fictional biography. The book also stayed surprisingly on point.
It doesn't have much to say about London's early life, except those tidbits important to his choice to leave for the Klondike, nor does it give more than passing information about London's later life. There are mentions of how this or that which happened in the Klondike related to stories he wrote later but the book is heavily set in the stories here and now.
There were very few digressions in this book except for those vital to move the book forward. I truly appreciated that because shortly after reading this book I read another non-fiction which I couldn't get through due to the vast digressions. This book remains on point throughout which, for me, was its second greatest strength. The first greatest being how enjoyable it was to read.
Overall, I enjoyed this read very much. My only minor point of complaint is that the author of the book did take some liberties in filling in gaps of London's story. I am assuming he did this for the sake of storytelling. The book probably would be worse for it if he hadn't taken any liberties but I did knock a star off my rating because of it.
The copy of the book I read included amazing photographs and a timeline of London's life.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy to read and inspiring book on Jack London. I would also highly recommend this to authors who are looking for inspiring tales to help them combat the frustrations of the early failures prevalent in most author careers. London went through so many hardships with the dream of writing his novels. He wrote 1k words a day and he pushed on even when times were tough and he was struggling physically and financially. London is an excellent role model for aspiring authors.
May 6, 2017
Author Jack London is revered by his adventure stories set in the great outdoors along the Klondike trail. The first American author to earn $1 million from his writing during the twentieth century, his stories and books have stood the test of time, and readers still savor the realistic descriptions found in his short story"To Build a Fire," and his books, Call of the Wild, and White Fang. This account of London's life covers an important year in the future writer's life, from August 1897 to July 1898, when the twenty-one-year-old caught gold rush fever and headed to Alaska with his elderly brother-in-law. The book describes in vivid detail the trials and tribulations London and his crew endured as they had to deal with harsh weather conditions that made travel challenging, and they had to carry all their supplies with them. Once Jack reached his destination and staked a claim, he was unsuccessful in finding any gold, but as the author points out, he found gold of a very different kind--the inspiration and material for the writing material that would make him famous. Not only is the description of this pivotal year captivating, but it is accompanied by several archival black and white photographs that enable readers to put themselves in Jack's shoes and imagine how desperate the men who went north to Alaska were to find gold for themselves and how few of them succeeded. There are even photographs and a slight mention of the environmental cost of mining for gold. Many middle grade readers will be riveted by the stories in this book and wish to know more about London. The many resources provided in the back matter give them a place to satisfy their curiosity. I already appreciated London's work, but this book made me appreciate it even more and wonder about how it would have been possible to survive under the conditions described here.
June 20, 2017
5 star review
Buckle up for a great adventure! In Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush, Pete Lourie guides us into the short but frenzied and rich life of writer and gold rush prospector, Jack London. It’s 1897 and gold has been discovered in the rushing creeks and streams of the Yukon Territory of Canada. A young 21-year-old Jack London frustrated by mounting rejections for his short stories and poetry, boards a steamship in San Francisco and travels North in search of gold. What I love about this tale is the immediacy of the author’s language. “Jack woke in the morning to crisp, clean air sweeping off the long, turquoise-colored lake. He looked at the snow-frosted mountains above and smelled Tarwater’s bacon frying. As he drank his coffee, he heard the rasp of many whipsaws cutting logs into crude boards to make boats.” Lourie launches the reader into harrowing tales of swollen-river boat rides, frigid polar nights, treks across storm-ravaged lakes and face-to-face encounters with wild timber wolves. Lourie is an accomplished writer and knows a thing or two about strong verbs and powerful details, so this gripping tale is a true page turner. A highly recommended engrossing read for middle and high school students.
Buckle up for a great adventure! In Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush, Pete Lourie guides us into the short but frenzied and rich life of writer and gold rush prospector, Jack London. It’s 1897 and gold has been discovered in the rushing creeks and streams of the Yukon Territory of Canada. A young 21-year-old Jack London frustrated by mounting rejections for his short stories and poetry, boards a steamship in San Francisco and travels North in search of gold. What I love about this tale is the immediacy of the author’s language. “Jack woke in the morning to crisp, clean air sweeping off the long, turquoise-colored lake. He looked at the snow-frosted mountains above and smelled Tarwater’s bacon frying. As he drank his coffee, he heard the rasp of many whipsaws cutting logs into crude boards to make boats.” Lourie launches the reader into harrowing tales of swollen-river boat rides, frigid polar nights, treks across storm-ravaged lakes and face-to-face encounters with wild timber wolves. Lourie is an accomplished writer and knows a thing or two about strong verbs and powerful details, so this gripping tale is a true page turner. A highly recommended engrossing read for middle and high school students.
September 8, 2017
Excellent first two thirds describing the harrowing journey by Jack London to the Klondike and the harsh conditions he and his fellow stampeeders endured. Great historical photos and nice formatting make for a pleasant awe inspiring read.
The last third of the book becomes far less enthralling, reading more like a junior high school textbook style compilation of facts and quotations. A significant part of the last third is dedicated to randomly-selected quotations from London's books that were inspired by Jack's experiences. Finally, the author admitted to having taken liberties with some of the events depicted in the book.
I appreciation the honesty, but felt like I had been reading under the impression it was purely non-fiction as opposed to an embellished historical fiction category. Finally, throughout the book the author treats Jack London like a mythical figure beyond reproach. In that sense, Jack London is presented closer to a flawless icon than a real person.
Despite the last third of the book, I would still recommend this book. It conveys well a real sense of the Klondike Gold Rush and should fascinate most readers. It was a pleasure to read.
The last third of the book becomes far less enthralling, reading more like a junior high school textbook style compilation of facts and quotations. A significant part of the last third is dedicated to randomly-selected quotations from London's books that were inspired by Jack's experiences. Finally, the author admitted to having taken liberties with some of the events depicted in the book.
I appreciation the honesty, but felt like I had been reading under the impression it was purely non-fiction as opposed to an embellished historical fiction category. Finally, throughout the book the author treats Jack London like a mythical figure beyond reproach. In that sense, Jack London is presented closer to a flawless icon than a real person.
Despite the last third of the book, I would still recommend this book. It conveys well a real sense of the Klondike Gold Rush and should fascinate most readers. It was a pleasure to read.
July 2, 2017
Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush is just what I want my students to read! Growing up I loved Jack London adventures, but I never knew much about his life. Now as a middle-grades teacher I have my students begin by reading author bios before we read their novels. It’s a way to gain perspective and better understand the writing by first understanding the writer. Lourie has given us so much more than a biography here; he has allowed us to enter the world of Jack London and see it through his eyes. We walk beside him as he trudges up the trail of the Chilkoot Pass; we feel the bitter wind on our cheeks; and we dream of gold and adventure right along with him. This is the perfect companion book for any teacher introducing Jack London to his or her students! By first reading Lourie’s book, students will understand how London’s stories came from the author’s experiences, and how these experiences shaped his life. I’d love to see more books like this written about the authors that we study!
December 27, 2017
It's crazy to think that humans endured these nearly impossible living conditions even a mere hundred and some years ago. Living in -50 degree winters with no sun, burning one $30 candle a day in an uninsulated cabin frosted 3" thick with ice, trying not to die of scurvy from a diet consisting almost solely of fermented bread and beans, and then also do back-breaking labour in the meantime.
Perhaps it doesn't matter what Jack wrote, in the end, or whether you like it - he was one indomitable kid who did absolutely anything he could to even achieve the freedom to just write in the first place, something we can all do freely at any time and take for granted.
Perhaps it doesn't matter what Jack wrote, in the end, or whether you like it - he was one indomitable kid who did absolutely anything he could to even achieve the freedom to just write in the first place, something we can all do freely at any time and take for granted.
January 13, 2019
This non-fiction book focuses on Jack London's brief stint in the Klondike during the Gold Rush. Photographs from the era, and sketches by the illustrator really add to the story's impact.
However, much of the actual story of London's time there is conjecture.
Plus, many of the quotes are not attributed to any source, nor is there any index/bibliography at the end of the book.
Also, some flashbacks into earlier parts of London's life seem to be thrown in and might confuse younger readers.
However, much of the actual story of London's time there is conjecture.
Plus, many of the quotes are not attributed to any source, nor is there any index/bibliography at the end of the book.
Also, some flashbacks into earlier parts of London's life seem to be thrown in and might confuse younger readers.
September 6, 2024
I swear children's non-fiction books are a fun way to learn. I zoomed through "Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush." Then I had to look up London's hangouts on YouTube. Oh and THEN I read some short stories of Jack London that sprang from his Klondike Days. Lourie's little book sent me on a JL Binge.
I've been trying to give this mint-condition book away for a long time in my Little Free Libraries. I gave up and read it myself at age 70. Right book at the right time for the right reader.
I've been trying to give this mint-condition book away for a long time in my Little Free Libraries. I gave up and read it myself at age 70. Right book at the right time for the right reader.
August 7, 2017
A super biography of London for a young audience, this story is bound to engage the reader with images of a Jack London not that much older than themselves, with the deck stacked against him, yet already seized by the desire to blaze his own trail and make himself a writer – a wonderful model for kids of all ages. The writing is crisp and direct, the drawings and photos amazing, and the tale itself beggars the imagination. Highly recommended.
June 14, 2018
Fantastic introduction to a writer who needs to be rediscovered by middle and high school students in the USA. Loved how the author puts the reader in the shoes of Jack on his great Yukon adventure. Jack's greatest stories came from that one youthful year when he went looking for gold in the Klondike. Excellent read!
June 16, 2017
Enjoyable, quick read. Tough to discern truth from fiction; wish it had appropriate footnotes.
March 10, 2018
This book was very well written and very informative about Jack London. I'd highly recommend it for anyone (from middle schoolers to adult) who's interested in learning more about him!
January 12, 2019
A juvenile book that still provides a quick and interesting read for an adult about Jack London's Klondike adventure.
March 12, 2019
What a gripping nonfiction read. I got it for my son, but then couldn't put it down.
Very good mix of photos/illustrations/prose.
Very good mix of photos/illustrations/prose.
Read
July 29, 2019definitely for older readers;
interesting story, a little heavier
themes.
interesting story, a little heavier
themes.
March 31, 2025
A fascinating middle-grade biography of Jack London. Well-written, lots of great pictures, and very informative.
February 3, 2017
This book has broad appeal as a biography (while it only covers one year in London's life flashback provide information about what would drive him to go hunting for gold), a grand adventure (there are all kinds of near-death experiences for London and his pals as well as real ones shared around camp fires and in saloons, etc, and a close up picture of an important historical event in American life (lots of photographs supplemented by Wendell Minor's illustrations that emphasize certain details). An effortless read in terms of the interest and pacing sure, you can't miss recommending this one.
November 8, 2016
Reviewed for professional publication.
March 28, 2017
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush tells the story of well known author Jack London and the time he spent as a miner during the gold rush of the 1890s. While London never struck it rich-in terms of gold-he returned home with stories and experiences that found their way into his best selling novels and short stories.
Laurie relates London's time in the Klondike in rich detail, using first person accounts and period photographs to bring it to life. It was not easy going for London, but his refusal to give up in the face of incredible hardship is impressive. Lovers of adventure and literature alike will enjoy reading about Jack London's early life and his time spent prospecting. Readers unfamiliar with the Gold Rush or Jack London will find help at the back of the book in the form of a notable places list, a timeline and a glossary.
My one complaint with the book is its jumpyness. One moment Jack would be struggling up an frozen mountain and then suddenly, he's a child in California. The back story on London's life is interesting, but it doesn't mesh well with his adventures as a stampeder.
Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush tells the story of well known author Jack London and the time he spent as a miner during the gold rush of the 1890s. While London never struck it rich-in terms of gold-he returned home with stories and experiences that found their way into his best selling novels and short stories.
Laurie relates London's time in the Klondike in rich detail, using first person accounts and period photographs to bring it to life. It was not easy going for London, but his refusal to give up in the face of incredible hardship is impressive. Lovers of adventure and literature alike will enjoy reading about Jack London's early life and his time spent prospecting. Readers unfamiliar with the Gold Rush or Jack London will find help at the back of the book in the form of a notable places list, a timeline and a glossary.
My one complaint with the book is its jumpyness. One moment Jack would be struggling up an frozen mountain and then suddenly, he's a child in California. The back story on London's life is interesting, but it doesn't mesh well with his adventures as a stampeder.
March 31, 2017
The name of writer Jack London conjures up stories of the outdoors and survival. How did he come to write about such topics? That is what this book chronicles, examining London’s intense journey to “hit paydirt” during the Klondike gold rush.
The main narrative of the book focuses on London’s travels in Canada’s Yukon territories, with his ultimate goal being the dream (like so many others at that time) of striking it rich at a gold claim. A mix of diverse topics/experiences are covered, including:
-London braving the terrain (raging rapids, intense cold, etc.)
-His time spent in gold miners camps, where he listened to the stories of the miners and filed them away in his brain for later usage.
-His actually gold mining, which ultimately (again, like so many others) proved to be mostly unfruitful.
From time to time, author Peter Lourie uses flashbacks (or flash-forwards) to give more context on a similar situation. For example, London’s childhood is often referred to, while certain images/experiences are hinted will play a role in his future stories.
Basically, this book thrives on the notion that much of the material/composition from London’s famous stories (Call of the Wild, White Fang, etc.) comes from his time in the Yukon, and in that vein the book is quite successful. Lourie uses his own research on the subject to “fill in the potential gaps” and make this a riveting narrative non-fiction title. Perhaps London didn’t do everything in the exact way that Lourie describes, but with those events now lost to the snow drifts of history it doesn’t hurt to conjecture (based on the research, obviously).
Overall, I very much enjoyed “Jack London & The Klondike Gold” rush and I think it would appeal to outdoors/adventure story fans from teens all the way up.
The main narrative of the book focuses on London’s travels in Canada’s Yukon territories, with his ultimate goal being the dream (like so many others at that time) of striking it rich at a gold claim. A mix of diverse topics/experiences are covered, including:
-London braving the terrain (raging rapids, intense cold, etc.)
-His time spent in gold miners camps, where he listened to the stories of the miners and filed them away in his brain for later usage.
-His actually gold mining, which ultimately (again, like so many others) proved to be mostly unfruitful.
From time to time, author Peter Lourie uses flashbacks (or flash-forwards) to give more context on a similar situation. For example, London’s childhood is often referred to, while certain images/experiences are hinted will play a role in his future stories.
Basically, this book thrives on the notion that much of the material/composition from London’s famous stories (Call of the Wild, White Fang, etc.) comes from his time in the Yukon, and in that vein the book is quite successful. Lourie uses his own research on the subject to “fill in the potential gaps” and make this a riveting narrative non-fiction title. Perhaps London didn’t do everything in the exact way that Lourie describes, but with those events now lost to the snow drifts of history it doesn’t hurt to conjecture (based on the research, obviously).
Overall, I very much enjoyed “Jack London & The Klondike Gold” rush and I think it would appeal to outdoors/adventure story fans from teens all the way up.
April 3, 2017
Good for young readers of informational text. I personally enjoyed the setting and adventure element of the story. I will be adding this title to my classroom library.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2017
Well researched. Excellent adventure! A great introduction for young readers to Jack London's Klondike tales. Especially good companion book for The Call of the Wild and White Fang. Don't miss this one!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews