Summary:
This book talks about the adventures of gold miners. The story shares how miners took boats and covered wagons to pan for gold. Miners worked hard and some made a great profit while others did not.
Personal Reaction:
This book was an easy to read book that I would probably have my students try and read aloud with me. The story was informative and gave a good idea of what it might have been like looking for gold.
Classroom Extension Ideas.
I would use this book to teach my class a history lesson. After reading the book I would ask my students to then write a paper on what it was like during the gold rush of 1849. Or I could hide fake "gold pieces in the classroom and have my students answer a series of questions about what they learned while reading this book. If a student gets a question correct then they have a chance to look for a piece of gold.

Stephen Krensky wrote this nonfiction Gold Rush story with
simple, but engaging prose: "During the summer of 1848, the news spread slowly eastward. It rode across the prairie on horseback. It paddled up the Mississippi River on steamboats. It blew around South America on sailing ships." Although part of the "Ready to Read" series, the author did not skimp on either humor or historical information. For example, when writing about the lawlessness of the time, Krensky stated "Laws seemed to change every day, and when people shook hands on a deal, they counted their fingers afterward to make sure none were missing". "The Dust Settles" and "The Country Moves On" chapters address the huge impact the Gold Rush had on native people and the state as a whole. Anna DiVito's cartoonish, but informative illustrations are on almost every page. Students who love a true, easy to read, adventure story should enjoy this book. ( )