The California Gold Rush (A True Book: Westward Expansion)

by Mel Friedman

Overview

A True Book: Westward Expansion takes readers on an amazing journey to a fascinating time in U.S. history when the country was experiencing dynamic change and expanding westward.

This book provides the keys to discovering the important people, places and events that helped shape the western United States. An age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study is included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780531212448
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	09/01/2010
Series:	A True Book (Relaunch)
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	124,800
Product dimensions:	7.46(w) x 11.30(h) x 0.10(d)
Lexile:	900L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 10 Years

About the Author

Friedman is a freelance journalist. He has four graduate degrees in international relations and political science from Columbia University.

Table of Contents

1 A Fantastic Discovery

What was found at Sutter's sawmill? 7

2 Before the Gold Rush

What did Spanish explorers hope to find in California? 11

3 Gold Fever!

Why was travel to California so dangerous? 17

4 Life in the Land of Gold

Why was it hard for miners to make money 23

Panning for Gold

How did miners collect gold? 30

5 The Dark Side

What was life like in a gold-mining camp? 33

6 End of the Gold Rush

How did the gold rush change America? 39

True Statistics 43

Resources 44

Important Words 46

Index 47

About the Author 48

Editorial Reviews

Gr 2–4—Each six-chapter title begins with a true-or-false question that encourages young readers to explore the text to find the correct answer. The colorful, easy-to-use format includes highlighted words, an easy pronunciation guide, a brief time line, "True Statistics," a reproduction on almost every page, and a spread called "The Big Truth!" Each title does a particularly good job of including information on the multicultural forces influencing the time periods. Life in the West covers the hardships and challenges of frontier living, including housing, adverse weather, disease, and the social and environmental impact of the pioneers upon Native people and the land. Westward Expansion, which ambitiously covers 1767–1890, includes profiles of diverse figures such as mountain man James Beckwourth, Mormon leader Brigham Young, and Jessie Benton Fremont, writer and wife of explorer John C. Fremont. California Gold Rush includes sections on the roles of women, Native Americans, Chinese, African Americans, and even Spanish-speaking Californios. Overall, these are modern and accessible sources of introductory information.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

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