Gold Rush Fever: A Story of the Klondike, 1898

by Barbara Greenwood, Heather Collins (Illustrator)

The year is 1898. Over the last decade, North America has been ground down by a depression. Wages are low, jobs are scarce and people are getting desperate. Although Aunt Rachel isn't happy about 13-year-old Tim and his older brother, Roy, heading off to the Klondike Gold Rush, the possibility of striking it rich is hard to resist. Tim and Roy begin their trek to the Yukon filled with excitement. Little do they suspect the harsh realities they'll have to blinding snowstorms, raging rapids, backbreaking work and bitter disappointment. In this unique book, each chapter is followed with factual information, illustrations and photographs of the people and places of the time. In addition, easy-to-do activities help bring the historical period to life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, American History, Canada, Education

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Inspired by her own early fascination with historical tales, author Barbara Greenwood specializes in writing historical fiction and biographies for children and young people. When she was young she couldn't find novels about Canada's past. Now she immerses herself in the subject: reading old diaries, journals, and letters, visiting museums, doing in-depth research at libraries, visiting the areas where her books are set. The information gleaned from her research becomes grist for the background details and settings of novels which emphasize character development and the human side of history. The stories she creates are those she would have liked to read at age ten or twelve or fourteen. The reams of research "left-over" from her first two books was used in A Pioneer Story, an award-winning book which mixes fact, fiction, and hands-on activities as it delves into Ontario's past. Barbara Greenwood studied at the University of Toronto. She taught elementary school for many years and, later, taught creative writing to high-school and adult students. She has been president of CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers) and has edited many CANSCAIP publications. Many of her short stories and articles have been published in the Canadian Children's Annual and educational anthologies.

Reviews

[Darla Greenwald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story for kids or adults. Although fiction, it tells the story of what it was like to be a gold prospector in the Klondike during the Gold Rush. There are many facts about the Gold Rush throughout the book. It was very enjoyable and I recommend it!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020 PopSugar Reading Challenge - A book with "gold", "silver", or "bronze" in the title

52 Books in 52 Weeks 2020 Reading Challenge - A book with illustrations

20 in 20 Reading Challenge - An illustrated book

2020 Reading Challenge - April: A book that has been sitting on the shelf (We purchased this book during our second trip to Alaska in 2014, when we visited Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, visiting all three Alaskan units [the Skagway Historic District, the White Pass trail, and the Chilkoot Trail/Dyea Townsite], along with the unit in Seattle, Washington. During our trip to Alaska in 1998, we hiked a portion of the Chilkoot Trail, which was the route used in this story.

A to Z Reading Challenge - A book starting with the letter "G"

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many details and options. I like the pictures and characters in the story. My son Jake read this when he was 8. it was his favorite book until he was 11. i read it myself and i thought it was rather good!

[Mary Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource to help explain the Klondike Gold Rush to children.

[Amber Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute kids' book. Read it for easy background information on a story set in the Yukon I'm writing. Not a lot I haven't heard already but accurate information.

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: the older brother is angry and sullen. There are several uses of 'heck.' Dance-hall girls are mentioned.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich with history of the period and the rush to find gold, the book follows the story of 2 brothers and their journey to find gold. It also includes interesting facts and pictures woven throughout the story.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Read aloud to my 9yo as part of our history curriculum.

As others from this series of like books from Greenwood and Collins an historical fiction tale is interspersed with non-fiction sections that expound upon information presented within the fictional story. While other books contained crafts in the non-fiction sections this book can't really be said to have crafts, there are a couple of experiments, a card game, a recipe and recommended reading instead.

Another difference is that rather than being about a family as in the Pioneer books and the Underground Railroad book, this book features in on two orphaned brothers: one almost a man, the other 13 years old, Tim. Tim narrates the story and tells of how he and his brother head on out for the great stampede north to Dawson City where they aim to make their fortune. Greenwood has presented a very realistic tale of all the hardships experienced along the way, though she does stay away from any of the grizzly details. She tells of the trials of the Chilkoot Pass, the river, the lawlessness before reaching Canada where the Mounties ruled with an iron fist and the backbreaking, often hopeless working a claim. The characters in this book seem to have more than the average share of good luck but still it comes out an entertaining and informational book on the topic. Particularly nice in this book, over the others, is the inclusion of real photographs which adds even more reality to the story. A good beginning book on the topic with plenty of information to get a good overview of the Gold Rush. Not my favourite of the series though.

[alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have been humming the Klondike bar song the whole time I read this book on the shinkansen to Tokyo. Looking for books on Canadian history to share with my former school in Japan, I found this gem for a buck at the library store. The story of siblings seeking gold unfolds through journal entries interspersed with diagrams, maps, and historical facts about the gold rush and the equipment needed to move out and survive in the cold, mountainous Klondike. I enjoyed the combination of fiction and factual history lesson. I'm not sure my students will pick it up without encouragement, but I think they'd enjoy it and learn from it if they gave it a chance.

[Rebekah M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this to the kids since it's required reading for an enrichment class they're taking this semseter.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit long for the intended audience.