Tunnel of Gold–a Review

Susan K. Marlow, author of the Circle C Adventures and Circle C Beginnings series, has released the first two books in a new series “Goldtown Books.”  Intended for readers in the 9-13 age bracket, these historical fiction chapter books are set in the 1800’s in Goldtown, California during the height of the gold rush. We received the second book in the series, Tunnel of Gold to read and review.
     I read this book in a couple of quick sittings and then gave it to my daughter to read.  At first glance, because of the picture of a boy on the cover, she thought it would be a ‘boy’ book and really didn’t want to read it.  I assured her there were character’s in the book who were girls, and she relented.  Once she got into the story, it was hard to get her to put down the book.  This is an intriguing story about a fight over property needed to open an air shaft for a new mine.  The two main characters, Jem – the sheriff’s son, and Will – the mine owner’s son, concoct a risky plan to save the sheriff’s job and the mine at the same time. Does it work? You will have to read the book to find out – I hate a story spoiler! The story has plenty of action and is completely clean and wholesome (not always the case for books these days). 
     Along with Tunnel of Gold, we downloaded the free Enrichment Study Guide from Susan Marlow’s website.  This 25-page study guide includes vocabulary and comprehension type worksheets, craft and project ideas, recipes from the time period of the book, and other extension activities.  By using the study guide and reading the book just a few chapters at a time, you could easily turn it into a unit study lasting a couple of weeks.  It only took us a little over a week, but we didn’t do all of the extension activities; we mainly used the vocabulary and comprehension sheets. 
     We have really enjoyed Tunnel of Gold. Priced at just $7.99, this high quality book has given us our adventure for the summer. It has prompted investigation about the period of the gold rush in California. As a matter of fact, now my kids want to find someplace that they can at least try and pan for gold. I am ready to purchase the first book in the series, Badge of Honor, and eagerly await other additions to the series.  Susan Marlow is a talented writer!  I just wish we had discovered her books years ago!
    My friends on the Schoolhouse Review Crew have been reading both books in the series.  To read their reviews, click on the banner below.