All About America: Gold Rush and Riches

Walker, Paul Robert

ISBN 10: 0753465841 ISBN 13: 9780753465844

Publisher: Kingfisher, 2011

Synopsis

About the Series
Action-packed and meticulously researched, with specially-commissioned illustration, detailed reconstructions and original artwork from each period, reading lists, and resources for further study, this series is an immersive introduction to the history that shaped America.

In 1848, carpenter James Marshall made a chance discovery that would change the face of the American West. That discovery: a few shiny flakes-of gold in a riverbed he was digging. Within a year 800,000 gold-seekers from all over the world were on their way to California, and the Gold Rush was on. This book covers the entire period of the boom-and-bust of one of the greatest expansion periods in US history-from the dangers of the journey, to the rough and tumble of the mining settlements, the day-to-day life of a miner and those who provided services to him, the easy-come-easy-go fortunes won and lost, and the Boomtowns that turned to Ghost Towns when the rush was over. Packed with period photographs, original artifacts, illustrations of daily life in the mining towns, and plenty of historical detail, this book will capture the imagination of young readers who love the idea of striking it rich.

About this title

About the Author:

Paul Robert Walker has written more than 25 books for adults and younger readers, with a special emphasis on the American West. Among his recent titles, Remember Little Bighorn (National Geographic 2006) received multiples awards including School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and Remember the Alamo (National Geographic 2007) won the June Franklin Naylor Award, given by the Daughters of the Republic Texas to the best book for children on Texas history. Walker lives in Escondido, California.

Review:

“All books contain double-page articles featuring a particular topic with sidebars for additional information. Illustrations are a mixture of paintings, engravings, and photographs of the period that the reader will enjoy viewing. Readers of all ages will enjoy these books but they are most appropriate for upper elementary students.” ―Library Media Connection

“The books in the All about America series pack a wealth of information into an attractively designed package. Double-page spreads, enhanced with photographs, color illustrations, reproductions, artifacts, maps, and sidebars, introduce each topic in detail. . . . All titles give careful consideration to Native American history, highlighting their displacement, noting that colonists and Indians often attacked each other, and emphasizing that more settlers died of disease than from attacks. A glossary, time line, and suggested books and websites add to this series' research value.” ―Booklist

“Focusing on specific time periods within American history, the books in the All about America series pack a wealth of information into an attractively designed package. Double-page spreads, enhanced with photographs, color illustrations, reproductions, artifacts, maps, and sidebars, introduce each topic in detail. . . . All titles give careful consideration to Native American history, highlighting their displacement, noting that colonists and Indians often attacked each other, and emphasizing that more settlers died of disease than from attacks. A glossary, time line, and suggested books and websites add to this series' research value.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“These visually appealing titles effectively combine painting, engravings, primary documents, and photographs with cartoon illustrations. . . . The content is interesting and pithy. . . . Great resource for reports and good reading for children interested in the specific periods and places.” ―School Library Journal

“This volume takes readers to the goldfields to witness the forty-niners at work and documents the tools they used, the towns they built, and the life they led, which are all part of America's rich mining legacy.” ―TucsonCitizen.com (Shelf Life)

About this edition

• Publisher: Kingfisher
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0753465841
• ISBN 13: 9780753465844
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 32