  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 02/01/2017 Gr 4–7—The dreams and dangers of the 1897 Klondike gold rush fuel Rose's first novel in prose, and it's a rousing historical adventure. By the end of the first chapter, news of the strikes reaches 11-year-old Jasper and 16-year-old Melvin's rural Washington town. The brothers quickly forsake their abusive father and set out for the gold fields of Canada. Harsh weather and physical challenges aren't the only perils along the way. Stampeders are more likely to steal from than help one another, especially two boys traveling alone. Tall tales of gold that grows on trees keep the brothers' hopes high; Jasper is spurred on by the legend of a million-dollar stake abandoned by miner One-Eyed Riley, who left behind a series of riddles leading to the gold. It's unlikely that readers will be able to solve the riddles and locate Riley's claim on the included map, but that won't deter them. Rose's carefully plotted clues, along with colorful supporting characters and narrow escapes, keep the pace brisk until Jasper finds Riley's mine in a suspenseful climax. Complementing a narrative rich in details about life on the frontier, the author's note provides more intriguing facts, including profiles of characters in the book who were true historical figures. VERDICT Highly recommended for fans of adventure and historical fiction, or as a classroom read-aloud.—Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 04/01/2017 It’s 1897, and life has been difficult for 11-year-old Jasper and his older brother, Melvin, since the death of their mother two years ago. When Melvin chases rumors of a gold rush along the Klondike, Jasper gathers his belongings and follows as a stowaway. When they arrive, though, Melvin loses his savings to pickpockets, and the brothers must use their wits to try to survive, with Jasper making clever use of his mother’s washboard to earn money. Along the way, they encounter harsh conditions, outlaws, and other criminals who will stop at nothing to find the gold said to have been hidden by a man known as One-Eyed Riley, who is supposed to have written five lines of riddles that will lead the one who solves them straight to his mine. Filled with witty characters, the suspense of survival, and rich period detail, this book will quickly draw in readers, who will likely appreciate both the well-crafted setting and the bond between brothers, who ultimately discover a happiness independent of the wealth they set out to find. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. Loading...
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