Jasper and his brother, Melvin, embark in an adventurous journey as they strive to make brighter futures for themselves in the Klondike Gold Rush. The reader follows these two through many struggles and obstacles as they strive to survive the harsh conditions of the terrain, weather, and atmosphere. While based on a real, historical event, the author’s note does describe where liberties were taken for the sake of the story. Rose’s writing is real and you can get a sense of the danger they get into as well as the desperation/need for success. Rose has cleverly worked in details to help them along the way, despite their circumstances.
Along the journey, Jasper is following clues to find an abandoned mine. This thread is weaved through the story and lets the reader try to figure it out alongside him. There is a map provided to assist in trying to discover the answer to the riddles.
While the age is recommended for 9+, there is quite a bit of violence and the situations they encounter are quite dangerous – often life-threatening. Keep in mind that some guidance may be required. This book would strongly appeal to a male audience. Readers who love twists and turns and wondering whether or not the characters are going to survive will love this book. With every chapter the reader wonders what will happen next and anticipates the final outcome.
Review of an Advance Reading Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: Threat of knocking sense into someone; memory of being beaten across the legs with a belt; adult hits minor across cheek; adult throws coffee pot at minor – misses head; memory of being swatted with a ruler; threat of swatting with ruler; adult kicks minor in chest; adult threatens another adult for stealing; adult chases minor and verbally threatens; metaphor of being rolled over by a wagon, shattering all bones; injuries from sharp rocks leading to slick blood; adult grabs minor by neck, holds tight, drops to ground, and swings at him hitting his arm; minor shoves minor; minor pounds minor with fist; raft disappears with perception that adult will die; adult ties up minor with muffler and leaves; adult grabs adult by arm and shakes; minor punches adult in the face; minor hits head and blood from head wound soaks up sleeve; adult squeezes wind out of minor-injuring ribs; adult holds minor at gun point, ties with muffler and drags; adult holds minor at back of the neck; minor kicks adult in injured shin; adult shoots minor in leg – ambiguous as to accident or intentional – minor passes out, report of blood from gunshot wound.
Sex/Nudity: None
Mature Subject Matter:
Drunk and abusive parent, death of parent, stealing, wilderness survival, kidnapping, arrest of adult.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Alcoholic parent; someone selling whiskey; adult smokes pipe tobacco; adult with tobacco-stained handkerchief.
