What do you think?
Rate this book
American Girl History Mysteries #17
Mystery at Chilkoot Pass
At the start of the Klondike gold rush of 1897, while traveling through Canada with her father, uncle and friends, twelve-year-old aspiring author Hetty tries to determine the identity of a thief.
162 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2002
8 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 17, 2016
This is book number 17 in the History Mysteries series and is about Hetty, a young girl is going with her family to the Klondike gold rush in 1897.
It's an interesting book for a variety of reasons. For one thing, it shows just how hard it was for people to act on their desire for easy gold. A great deal of carrying heavy loads was one thing they had to do; numerous trips back and forth to move supplies; trying to avoid bad weather and dangerous avalanches, and the ever-present risk of diseases were things they had to endure all the time.
It also shows just how wild some people became over the idea of gold “just for picking it up” rumors. The people did not, in general, really have any idea of just what they were getting into, and the riches they sought were not going to be gotten easily by any means.
This story examines Hetty, her family and friends of her family as they make the difficult journey. The mystery part centers around a series of thefts that the family and friends encounter, thefts that involve money, but also involve small personal items like a locket.
It also shows that theft can sometimes grow from an incredibly dumb reason. At least in the novel the people involved in the thefts did own up to their actions, they made good for them, and they improved as people along the way.
It's an interesting book for a variety of reasons. For one thing, it shows just how hard it was for people to act on their desire for easy gold. A great deal of carrying heavy loads was one thing they had to do; numerous trips back and forth to move supplies; trying to avoid bad weather and dangerous avalanches, and the ever-present risk of diseases were things they had to endure all the time.
It also shows just how wild some people became over the idea of gold “just for picking it up” rumors. The people did not, in general, really have any idea of just what they were getting into, and the riches they sought were not going to be gotten easily by any means.
This story examines Hetty, her family and friends of her family as they make the difficult journey. The mystery part centers around a series of thefts that the family and friends encounter, thefts that involve money, but also involve small personal items like a locket.
It also shows that theft can sometimes grow from an incredibly dumb reason. At least in the novel the people involved in the thefts did own up to their actions, they made good for them, and they improved as people along the way.
December 28, 2023
This book tells the story of a family traveling through Chilkoot Pass, during the Gold Rush, which I find to be a very interesting time in history. It was amazing to read about their journey and see how they grow and change along the way. I loved all the characters, and how this book is set near my hometown. There is a thief as well, although despite the title, the mystery wasn't the main focus of the book. I really liked this book and would really recommend!
Read
October 14, 2024Warning for seal lovers: They have a paragraph describing seal clubbing
January 22, 2023
As is common with many of the entries in this line, the story is interesting, but the mystery is lame.
The plot describes an extremely intense journey through Alaska (or Canada?) at the height of the gold rush. The Klondikers encounter incredibly harsh conditions that made me tired just reading about them, but the party never gives up. The author even goes so far as to kill off a cute baby, which legitimately made me tear up - not something that has happened to me while reading AG as an adult!
I was interested in their quest, and enjoyed most of the characters (with the exception of Alma, the one-dimensional best friend who pretty much exists so the main character has someone to talk to.) The author clearly did her research and does a good job of showcasing her knowledge, but the book seems almost inconvenienced by the necessity of a mystery. Along the way, random items are stolen from the travelers. Hetty suspects many people, but only figures out the culprit by chance, and it turns out to be a really stupid reason to steal. All is returned within the last ten pages, without anyone even seeming to care that much. At some points in the story, it’s like the mystery doesn’t even exist.
So I did enjoy this book, but the mystery itself made things a little messy and distracted from the main themes/messages.
The plot describes an extremely intense journey through Alaska (or Canada?) at the height of the gold rush. The Klondikers encounter incredibly harsh conditions that made me tired just reading about them, but the party never gives up. The author even goes so far as to kill off a cute baby, which legitimately made me tear up - not something that has happened to me while reading AG as an adult!
I was interested in their quest, and enjoyed most of the characters (with the exception of Alma, the one-dimensional best friend who pretty much exists so the main character has someone to talk to.) The author clearly did her research and does a good job of showcasing her knowledge, but the book seems almost inconvenienced by the necessity of a mystery. Along the way, random items are stolen from the travelers. Hetty suspects many people, but only figures out the culprit by chance, and it turns out to be a really stupid reason to steal. All is returned within the last ten pages, without anyone even seeming to care that much. At some points in the story, it’s like the mystery doesn’t even exist.
So I did enjoy this book, but the mystery itself made things a little messy and distracted from the main themes/messages.
June 16, 2016
This book reflected the Gold Rush feel very well. After traveling from San Francisco by steam ship, Hetty McKinley, her best friend, Alma, and their families prepare for the five-hundred-mile trek north to the gold fields of the Yukon. It’s only September, but the Arctic Circle is already frigid.
As the two families, along with hundreds of other prospectors, camp out for the night near the outpost of Dyea, Hetty catches a glimpse of the legendary Chilkoot Pass, the narrow gap through which they’ll cross Alaska into Canada. But the next morning, Alma’s mother discovers that all their money is gone! A few days later, Hetty’s cherished locket, containing a photograph of her dead mother, disappears.
More thefts soon follow, but these are the least of their problems. Soon, the group is battling typhoid, blizzards, and a terrifying avalanche. Will Hetty and her family and friends survive their journey to the top of the world?
As the two families, along with hundreds of other prospectors, camp out for the night near the outpost of Dyea, Hetty catches a glimpse of the legendary Chilkoot Pass, the narrow gap through which they’ll cross Alaska into Canada. But the next morning, Alma’s mother discovers that all their money is gone! A few days later, Hetty’s cherished locket, containing a photograph of her dead mother, disappears.
More thefts soon follow, but these are the least of their problems. Soon, the group is battling typhoid, blizzards, and a terrifying avalanche. Will Hetty and her family and friends survive their journey to the top of the world?
June 29, 2022
I don’t remember reading this as a kid but I loved it! It feels very different from the Westward expansion. I don’t love Kack London but it’s cool he makes an appearance in this one. Hetty is a lovable character, who’s strong willed and a writer. I love that this book was open about tackling the hard things like sickness on the trail and avalanches. At some points, it made me cry. Definitely a five star book from this series!
August 22, 2017
A bit slow to get into, but still an interesting story about the Klondike gold rush.
November 27, 2020
Sweet, detailed, and historical.
May 26, 2022
I enjoyed this gold rush era book! It was a good enough plot to keep you guessing. Very simple, clean but still fun.
August 13, 2023
entertaining
December 1, 2023
Story 👎
Me caring about the characters 👍
Writing 🤷♀️
Me caring about the characters 👍
Writing 🤷♀️
September 14, 2025
I knew who the thief was before half of the book was over; nonetheless am enjoying these history mysteries!
November 5, 2025
Not the best mystery-wise, but I love the Klondike. So, overall, this was a good one. Fun to read, easy to get into.
October 31, 2021
The mystery aspect was abandoned for a while and the confrontation was delayed. I also felt like they could have come up with a more original surname than McKinley for Hetty, considering that the story was set in Alaska.
TW: gambling addiction.
TW: gambling addiction.
September 28, 2024
I had zero recollection of the plot or characters from this book, and after rereading it now, I kind of still don't. It's just not my arena of history interest, and the mystery was so backgrounded that it didn't feel urgent.
July 23, 2016
Great writing. Boy, and we thought the California Gold Rush was hard. Wait till the kids read this!!
August 14, 2014
Good story. Couple times I wans't sure about the plot thinking it might be too sad or too scary but it turned out just fine. Good lessons on forgiveness and working together.
June 12, 2022
Great message - interesting setting.
August 20, 2012
I liked this one. 9+.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews