Avi takes an interesting look at the goldrush. When I picked up this book I thought someone would be heading to California, but instead it was about the gold rush at Pikes Peak, Colorado in Colorado Springs. I should have guessed being as Avi lives in Denver. This is the story of Early. The youngest son of the Whitcomb's. The Whitcomb's live in Iowa and the train is being built. The town mayor and the railroad want them off their land, even if it means foreclosing on the family. Jesse is Early’s uncle, but the two are thick as thieves since the age gap is not that great. Jesse runs away in the night to chase gold. There are stories a plenty and he know he can strike it rich and save the farm, even if it is only saved for the oldest nephew. But when the family receives news that Jesse may be in trouble, Early heads off to Pikes peak seeking Jesse, gold, and a way to save his family. Most of the story is the trip across a few state. There was no cars in the gold rush days, just horses, carriages. There was little food, water, or money, so Early hired himself out as a helper. He walked and helped the family, they feed him and gave him a place to sleep and a caravan to follow.

As always, Avi puts heart in the story that keeps your eyes or ears glued to the story. You are on that wagon train, your feet hurt, and you just want to save your family. He hides a history lesson inside a character driven story, where the setting and time are as important as the characters themselves. It could even be argued that the wagon train is a character. A well thought out book, a real life adventure, and a joy to read.