Zion Gold Rush

The Campground Kids #3

by C.R. Fulton

So…Much…Gold… When Isaiah’s dad is hired to print 3D dinosaur bones, his family is invited to join him. On this trip, the kids are glamping —enjoying the luxury of an RV instead of camping in tents. Attending a park-sponsored stargazing event, Isaiah, Sadie, and Ethan overhear a ranger tell his favorite legend of a gold mine hidden in Zion. While exploring the park, they venture off to investigate an intriguing narrow path. Unexpectedly, they stumble across a carving on a stone face. “10N 25F 5B 11N 7S 3D,” Isaiah reads. What is it? “Looks like ancient Indian lettering to me,” Ethan says. Was this just some historic carving or is it somehow connected to the treasure? Were others searching for the gold mine as well? What secrets are hidden within the canyons and mountains of Zion? Join The Campground Kids as they embark on this exciting treasure hunt at Zion National Park.

Series
Isaiah, his sister Sadie, and their cousin Ethan, The Campground Kids, will take you on a journey of epic camping adventures. Join this squad as they begin exploring the most loved National Parks encountering mystery, challenge, survival, and more in this action packed book series.

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Adventure, Audiobook, Fiction, Middle Grade

186 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2022

About the author

Join best selling, award winning author, C.R. Fulton for exciting reads! For the past four years. C.R. Fulton has traveled the East Coast in an RV with her husband, two kids and three pups. It has been a wild ride and has provided loads of inspiration for books! She is the author of thirty-two novels and loves some serious bass in her earbuds while writing. She is an inspirational speaker to youth and adults alike. You can connect with her at www.crfultonbooks.com

Reviews

[Caty Thomas]

My kids have enjoyed this series. They are very wholesome and model good relationships and respect for nature. However, they are not for really sensitive kiddos. The dangerous situations can be a bit intense IMO. My kids are 7 and 9 and loved them on audio.

[Ellie Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay but not great. Sort of cheesy.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Zion Gold Rush is suppose to be a part of a series that explores the Rawlings as they explore the NPs through camping. And being the third book it does allude to events in the prior book even though it isn't necessary to read the others before picking up this one although I would recommend it.

Brother and sister are joined by their slightly older cousin who almost misses the adventure until magic appears to align the stars. Besides that the young man has an overactive mind, is a dunce and just seems to be the same clown who never learns. The other two seem even less when it comes to personalities, especially the girl who seems to be a druggie when given sugar while the brother is overpowered thus becoming the unequivocal hero. And by this time Mom and Dad are enablers although Dad seems to miss out in this book.

This very unrealistic book has lost all touch of Christianity at this point and so the events unfold like magical spiritualism. At the same time the animal on the cover is no longer the villain as was portrayed indirectly in the previous book but has returned to the status of the wolf in the first.

At the same time the book deals less with the park than in the two previous books while also battening down on glamping versus camping. As a result the story focuses more on the action and mystery that it has returned to rather than caring about making the park a real experience

And just like the previous books, the book ignores teaching children how to safely behave and take care of themselves in NPs.

Unfortunately this one is so far the best and it probably is since it is almost no longer trying....

[M. Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I read this as a read-aloud and enjoyed the setting and plot. As a mom I greatly appreciate how the author conveys the importance of family. The main character's family treats each other respectfully, they enjoy adventures together, and the kids learn a meaningful lesson. My children loved the built-in humor, often brought on by Ethan. The RV stove and his eyebrows and the chipmunks that were after his cookies evoked so much laughter from my 10- and 12-year-olds. I recommend Zion Gold Rush for middle-grade readers (and read-aloud families!) who like outdoor adventures, facts (the author sprinkles in facts about the park through the kids' involvement in the Junior Ranger programs), and wholesome stories about siblings.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly good!

Page 26 weirded me out.
The man next to Ethan struggles to get off the bench at Stop 5. He tries twice before he can lurch off the seat with his heavy pack. I slip between people to take the seat next to Ethan.
Hes frowning at the space the man had vacat-ed. "Wait, don't sit down," Ethan says, brushing strange black dust from the seat.
"What is that?" I ask.
Ethan is creating a small dust cloud. "I'm not sure." He sniffs his hand and makes a sour face.
"Stinks, whatever it is."

This is the third book in a row the kids run off and nearly get murdered — this time by dynamite-addicted gold-rush-seekers!

[Jennifer Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the rest of the series, ok but not great. The writing is not the best and the moralistic lessons are rather heavy-handed. However, younger readers will appreciate the simple, linear, relatively fast-paced plot. Older readers would do better with the National Park Mystery series by Aaron Johnson, which are slightly longer and more complex, better written, and have an overall mystery that continues throughout the series, with a recap at the beginning of each book, and factual information at the end.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

We just got this junior fiction series in at work and the covers intrigued me, so I thought I'd try one to see if I'd recommend it to kids at the library. While it was definitely a little ridiculous at times, I think kids who like outdoor stories would enjoy it as well as mystery stories. It was fast-paced enough to keep readers engaged. It would definitely work as a "high-low" type book for kids with lower reading levels who still want something exciting, as well as regular third and fourth graders. I think anyone older than that might not enjoy it as much.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in a little free library and I have not read the first two books in the series.

I don’t think it’s necessary to read the first two books, however it does reference a previous mishap that I assume happened in a previous book.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a clean mystery with adventure, unexpected turns, and humor. I would read this aloud to a 2nd grade class and I think they would enjoy it.

This book gives Nancy Drew vibes without the romantic crush aspect.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book in the series!

[Timber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud. Kids enjoyed it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than the previous 2 in the series. I think the book would still benefit from a map of the part of the park that has the action of the book.

[Carrie Heilman · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are entertaining, if a little far-fetched.

[TT · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite is when Ethan when called a chipmunk that kept on stealing cookies Chiptomunkus rex:)

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Best one yet, a little far fetched but much better story/dialogue than the other two we’ve read. Kiddo is really liking these

[sincerely · Rating 5 out of 5]

love these on audio

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the humor along with the excitement in these books. My kids are definitely looking forward to seeing some national parks.