Hoping to strike it rich, two brothers escape an abusive father and
set out on a treacherous journey to Alaska during the Klondike Gold
Rush.
Desperate to get away from their drunkard of a father, eleven-year-old
Jasper and his older brother Melvin often talk of running away, of
heading north to Alaska to chase riches beyond their wildest dreams. The
Klondike Gold Rush is calling, and Melvin has finally decided the time
to go is now--even if that means leaving Jasper behind. But Jasper has
other plans, and follows his brother aboard a steamer as a stowaway.
Onboard the ship, Jasper overhears a rumor about One-Eyed Riley, an old
coot who's long since gone, but is said to have left clues to the
location of his stake, which still has plenty of gold left. The first
person to unravel the clues and find the mine can stake the claim and
become filthy rich. Jasper is quick to catch gold fever and knows he and
Melvin can find the mine--all they have to do is survive the rough
Alaskan terrain, along with the steep competition from the unscrupulous
and dangerous people they encounter along the way.
In an endearing, funny, pitch-perfect middle grade voice, Caroline Starr
Rose tells another stellar historical adventure young readers will long
remember.