Mystery at Chilkoot Pass (American Girl History Mysteries) - Softcover

Grade 4-6-Hetty McKinley, 12, travels to the Yukon with her widower father, uncle, and friends to find their fortune at the height of the 1897 Klondike Gold Rush. Along the difficult and arduous trail through the snowy Chilkoot Pass, family members' mementos begin to disappear. Who could it be and why would someone be stealing items that only hold sentimental value? The hardship of the trip, the relationships that develop, and the lessons learned change Hetty, her friend Alma, and the other travelers as they make their way to Dawson City. Steiner has woven historical details into her scenes and characters. Many of the episodes reflect some of the writings of Jack London; in fact, the writer himself makes a cameo appearance. Hetty is by far the strongest figure in this story of struggle, intrigue, suspense, and adventure. An informative appendix complete with photos and a map of the Klondike Gold Rush gives readers a clearer idea of the trials and triumphs depicted here. This is a worthy addition to the series; interested readers can move on to Jack London's Call of the Wild for a classic description of this era.
Rita Soltan, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5-8. In September 1897, 12-year-old Hetty, her father, and Uncle Donall, as well as her best friend, Alma, and Alma's mother, join thousands of adventurers heading for the Klondike goldfields. Although the prospect of finding gold is alluring, the trip will be punishing; they must haul three tons of supplies through the mountains to the Golden Stairs, the final brutal ascent to Chilkoot Pass, and then 500 miles north to Dawson. What Hetty is not prepared for are problems that plague them from the minute they leave the steamer: supplies damaged by water, the thefts of money and small treasures, Uncle Donall's friendship with a wealthy socialite, illness, blizzards, and an avalanche. Steiner's adventure mystery is a real page-turner and a good addition to the History Mysteries series. She captures all the drama and danger of the Klondikers' trek and infuses it with just the right amount of historical details to give readers a satisfying, action-filled story. Chris Sherman
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