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Description
Sixteen-year-old Mary Margaret Malarkey leaves her New Hampshire farm in 1848 to travel to California, where her father is seeking fortune in the goldfields. The story follows her arduous journey across the country during the California Gold Rush era and her search for her father in the mining camps. The book depicts the challenges and adventures faced by a young woman traveling alone to the goldfields in mid-nineteenth century America.
Quick Summary
"AWAY TO THE GOLDFIELDS!" drops readers into the chaos of the 1849 California Gold Rush through the determined eyes of a sixteen-year-old girl who refuses to wait passively for her fortune. Kids will cheer for Mary Margaret as she crosses dangerous terrain, outsmarts scheming prospectors, and risks everything in the wild, unpredictable goldfields where anyone could strike it rich or lose everything. If your kid loves the action and survival challenges in Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, they'll be completely hooked on this frontier adventure. This book is perfect for kids in grades 5 through 8 who enjoy historical fiction with a strong, resourceful protagonist.