March 24, 2023
Gr 4-7-The 1848 discovery of gold in California provides the catalyst for this story of 12-year-old enslaved girl Hope (called "Clementine" by her mistress), and her parents, who accompany the family's eldest son as he heads West. They travel from Virginia to St. Louis and then with a group along the arduous Overland Trail. Told through Hope's journal, the trek is peppered with historical details: their diet, dangers to livestock, and harsh weather. Some anecdotes may be familiar, particularly the tragedy of the Donner-Reed party whose catastrophic journey looms large. Themes of freedom, manifest destiny, and the constant threat of racism punctuate the story as Hope grapples with what the future might hold for her family-if they survive. Deep research provides ample material about the little-known lives of enslaved people on the journey as well as the treatment of the displaced Indigenous peoples. Readers may wish for more depth; Hope, her family, and the other members of their wagon train act more as inhabitants of a rich history lesson than fully-formed characters. Accompanying the novel is detailed backmatter including a bibliography, providing opportunities for further research. VERDICT The unique lens through which to examine the 1849 Gold Rush will enhance historical fiction collections, though readers may long for deeper character connection.-Rebecca Kirshenbaum
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