Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West (edition 2008)

My review of Hard Gold as it appeared in the January 2013, issue of School Library Journal.

Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859 (I Witness Series). By Avi. 4 CDs. 4:00 hrs. AudioGo. 2012. ISBN 978-1-935430-84-1. $49.95.

Gr 5-8--Early Whitcomb's family is in danger of losing their farm. They're behind in their payments, and a local banker is working with the railroad company to force them into selling. Early's young uncle, Jesse, thinks he has the answer. Handbills from the West indicate that gold has been found in Pike's Peak, Nebraska Territory, and it's there for the taking. Early's parents and older brother discount the reports, but Jesse and Early have the itch. Jesse soon sneaks off (under a cloud of suspicion due to a coincidentally timed bank robbery) to strike gold and save the farm. Early's family forbids him to follow, but when word arrives that Jesse has found gold and is in danger, he strikes out alone, joining a wagon train as a hired hand for a barber, his ailing wife, and feisty daughter. The grueling journey, a budding romance, and the possible ill intentions of fellow travelers add suspense and intrigue as Early learns how desperation and circumstances can change the course of one's life. The historical focus of Avi's novel (Hyperion, 2008) is broad. The endless wagon trains are likened to advancing lines of tiny white ants, but individual hardships are presented with considerably less detail. Dialogue and behaviors ring true, and the narration by Alston Brown is clear and pleasing. The diary style is well-suited for audio format. Similar to the "My Name Is America" series, Hard Gold brings history alive, particularly for boys.

Copyright © 2013 Library Journals, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

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Early Whitcomb is only fourteen and he's already about to make the biggest journey of his life. His family is going to lose the farm to the bank and Early's Uncle Jesse has skipped town to try his luck at panning for gold in the famous Colorado gold rush of 1859. He's promised Jesse that he'll find enough gold to cover the family's debts and to buy a farm of their very own - but no one's heard from him in weeks and a strange man is on the lookout for him. Early's picked up a ride with a covered wagon train to travel the 600 miles on foot to find him and warn him that he may be in danger. A Twain-esque adventure tail, Newbury-award-winning author Avi spins his tale with non-stop action, mysterious intrigue, and short, punctual sentences and enough charming colloquialism to have young boy readers tearing through this novel as though they’d find their own jar full of gold dust at the end. There’s more here than just a retelling of one of the most infamous and interesting chapters in American history; there’s a boy learning about himself and what the world’s got in store for him. Avi includes genuine prints and photographs from the period throughout the book with helpful captions and a glossary at the end to define words that may seem unfamiliar to readers. Recommended for grades 4-7. ( )

This is only the second book I’ve read by this author. I admire the writing style. His books are absorbing and highly entertaining. The character of Early, a fourteen year old boy is accurate and effortless. The young girl, Lizzy is precocious and bucks against the constraints of being a woman and acting “ladylike.” The description of the prairie and barren heat sodden dessert enhance the feeling you are there beside Early.

I love a good historical fiction novel. T he gaggle of people travelling is rooted in the mid 1800’s and steeped in the get rich dreams of the Gold Rush. The rush of people from the east settling the west in their drive for riches shows the price that was paid. From burying loved ones on the way, to having hard won gold stolen, to a buffalo stampede and people facing the possibility of losing their farms due to greed and progress (the railroad) are all portrayed and plunk readers down in the era of westward expansion and the Colorado Gold Rush.

Early experiences a heck of an adventure. Travelling in a wagon train to Colorado he gts his first sweetheart and learns how to fend for himself without his parents. The book is packed full of fiction adventure and historical fact.
The only drawback was I listened to an audio version and was deprived of artwork that could have added to the educational and entertainment of reading about the well told fictional history. Read for entertainment or to had to a section of history taught in a classroom.. the book is highly recommended.
☻☻☻☻ ½ ( )

Uncle Jesse heads west to Pike's Peak to prospect for gold with the hope of saving the family farm. His 14-year old nephew, Early, joins a family heading west in order to warn Jesse that the law is on his trail because of his alleged involvement in a bank robbery.