Aurore of the Yukon: A Girl's Adventure in the Klondike Gold Rush

by Keith Halliday

She's just a girl! shouted Windy Bill.When Aurore hears these words, she knows notorious Alaskan bandit Soapy Smith is about to find out everything. How will she get her mother's money back now? How will she expose Soapy and his gang? How will she escape?Aurore, her mother and little brother have set off for Uncle Thibault's lodge in the Yukon after the death of Aurore's father, little knowing they are headed for the Klondike Gold Rush and the adventure of a lifetime.The hardships of the Chilkoot Trail.The roaring rapids of the Yukon River.The grasping greed of Soapy's gang.Aurore must dig deeper, think harder and be braver than she ever thought possible to show Soapy and his gang what a girl-and her new Tlingit friend Louise and a Yukon river boy named Kip-can do."Well, she outsmarted you!" replied Soapy Smith with a snarl, opening the door to Aurore's hiding place Set in the historic Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, and inspired by a real girl's story, Aurore of the Yukon is an exciting adventure written to both entertain and educate young readers.Part of the MacBride Yukon Kids Series."Real fun real history!"-Patricia Cunning, MacBride Museum

134 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2006

Reviews

[Ankit Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet book for kids which I also thoroughly enjoyed. The plot was really nice with the adventures of the little girl and her friends. Her bravery and other personality traits will really teach other kids a few things. In addition, the beauty of Yukon has been described like I am watching a video. Just brilliant. I want to go there now. The author clearly knows Yukon and the kids really well. The added element of inspiration from author's grand mother gives a nice kick that a lot of things similar to the events in book actually happened. Really nice. I definitely want to pick up some of the other adventures of the kids no from the same author- Keith Halliday.

[Twainausten · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Canadian homeschool mom, I’m always looking for engaging stories for my homeschool kids. We loved listening to this story, me too! It is useful that we’ve travelled all the way through Skagway, Dawson City, and all the way to Inuvik. A remarkable part of our Canadian history. This story brings it to life in a whole new way.

[Christian Tonkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Aurora of the Yukon" is a captivating piece of historical fiction that would be a perfect addition to a fourth-grade or fifth-grade classroom. Set in the rugged wilderness of the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush, the book transports readers to a fascinating era in history. It effectively combines vivid descriptions, engaging characters, and a captivating plot, making it an ideal educational tool.

One lesson that can be derived from "Aurora of the Yukon" is the exploration of character traits. Students can be encouraged to identify the qualities and motivations of the protagonist, Aurora, and analyze how those traits shape her actions and decisions throughout the story. By doing so, students can develop their understanding of characterization and empathize with the challenges faced by people living in that time period.

Additionally, the book provides an opportunity to discuss the historical context of the Klondike Gold Rush. Students can delve into the social and economic impact of the gold rush on the Yukon and the people who flocked there in search of fortune.You can also create a timeline of historical events that drove Aurora’s family to join the early settlers of the Yukon. This discussion can further extend to topics such as perseverance, resilience, and the consequences of human greed.

Overall, "Aurora of the Yukon" is an excellent choice for fourth-grade classrooms as it not only brings history to life but also encourages critical thinking, character analysis, and empathy among young readers.

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Aurore Of The Yukon” is exceptionally good. A skewed description put me off. Marketers shouldn’t have exaggerated slim villainous content, implying a ‘kids in trouble’ tale. It masks this book’s phenomenal substance. Four stars are due to promoting a museum overmuch and confusion over whether this was fiction, or an adaptation about the author’s Grandma; until an afterward clarifies this. It is real, in a wonderfully creative way. Drawings and notes from the author’s daughters, who followed the original Aline’s steps, are paired with diary content from the latter day traveller. I remain confused about whether there really were epistolary records and a winning short story, or if the author fabricated those. What matters is, this is an uplifting adventure that would draw any reader in.

In reality: Aline senior lost her Dad in 1917. The trio was invited to the Yukon by her Mom’s brother. Transportation was modernized and the gold rush crowd gone by then. They did find his environs inadequate and planned a return to Montréal. They stayed in a more developed town because Marie fell sick. She married someone they had befriended and thus, Keith Halliday’s Klondike ancestry took root. In this book: our heroine is named Aurore and shifts twenty years earlier. With a railway no further than two miles from Skagway, 1898 had her on foot with her brother and Mom up the unbelievable Chilkoot trail.

The historic timing and adventures attached to this novel, result in valuable education about real events that I didn’t have. This region is no longer hazy. Visualizing history through this story and its meticulous flavour has had a lasting impact on me! When I next read “The Klondike Gold Rush: Photographs From 1896 - 1899”, my new knowledge was sound; on the circumstances and all of the places!