Children of the Rush

 Author: James Russell

ISBN: 9781991166807

Hi Everyone

Upon visiting Central Otago in New Zealand, you will discover a wealth of gold mining history that remains intact. There are old stone houses (many partly collapsed); hills that during winter get covered in snow; and towns like Clyde that maintain a historical street frontage. If you wish to travel to Gabriel's Valley, you will also find that much of the gold mining history is still able to be seen.

Gabriel's Valley is where this story is based. I have been to both Dunedin and Gabriel's Valley, so reading this, I was able to envision the townships and the children. It was quite an adventure reading through these pages. 

As for the story itself, I enjoyed how the author has interwoven both the history and the depth of hardship that adults and families endured during this time in history, along with a story of friendship and loyalty. The story is rich with history, yet still has an element of imagination (or maybe truth). 

It was refreshing to read a historical children's novel. I would like to see many more like this written. Living books. Ones that we can read time and again, while still finding new snippets of information to ignite our wonder of the history that has been left for our children to discover.

Description:

It's 1861, and gold fever is sweeping New Zealand.

Otherwise sensible adults have gone mad and will do anything to get their hands on the precious metal But two children have been caught up in the rush. Michael and Atarangi couldn't be more different, but they share one thing: each has a remarkable and magical talent. 

Circumstances conspire to bring the children together in remote and inhospitable goldfields, and they're thrust into a world where lawlessness, greed, and cruelty reign.

When the children find out that a cut-throat gang stalks the goldfields, preying upon the innocent, they have a choice to make: turn a blind eye, or fight back?

Happy reading

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