John Sutter and the California Gold Rush

by Matt Doeden, Ron Frenz (Illustrator), Charles Barnett III (Illustrator)

Overview

In this action-packed graphic novel, witness the discovery of gold at John Sutter's mill in 1848. Eye-popping, comic book-style artwork and easy-to-read, nonfiction text offer an appealing, accessible alternative for struggling and reluctant readers or any graphic novel fan. An additional information section provides key facts and further understanding, making this book a must-have in any home, classroom, or library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780736862073
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	01/01/2006
Series:	Graphic History
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.12(d)
Age Range:	8 - 14 Years

About the Author

Matt Doeden is a freelance author and editor from Minnesota. He’s written numerous children’s books on sports, music, current events, the military, extreme survival, and much more. His books Sandy Koufax (Twenty-First Century Books, 2006) and Tom Brady: Unlikely Champion (Twenty-First Century Books, 2011) were Junior Library Guild selections. Doeden began his career as a sports writer before turning to publishing. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and two children.

Table of Contents

Sutter's mill — The secret is out — The 49ers — The search for gold.

Editorial Reviews

It all began on a very ordinary January day in 1848. James Marshall, an employee of John Sutter, was overseeing the work that was being done on the new saw mill that John Sutter was having built in the Coloma Valley in California. As he was looking the site over Marshall saw something glittering in the waters of the American River. He soon found out that what he had seen was gold and the river appeared to be full of similar nuggets and chips of the precious metal. Though John Sutter asked his workers to keep quiet about the discovery, word soon got around and the gold rush began. Sutter’s workers left their job and began looking for gold for themselves. It wasn’t long before they were joined by thousands of other men, all of whom were trying to make that special lucky strike. People from all over the United States and from other countries came to California hoping to make their fortunes. Few did. Indeed many left California worse off than when they arrived and John Sutter was one of the many whose whole lives were changed for the worse by the gold rush. In this easy to read comic book style work of non-fiction the author tells the story of both the gold rush and of poor John Sutter who was ruined by it. The text and illustrations make it quite clear that the journeys that the forty-niners took to get to California were grueling and dangerous. This state of affairs did not change once they arrived at their destination. Clearly, prospecting for gold was very much a hit and miss business.

Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Review

What ever happened to Mr. Sutter after gold was discovered on his land? By reading this book you will discover how the gold rush personally affected him, as well as the rest of the state of California. You will also discover what it was like for the gold miners who came to California in 1849. This cartoon-like book teaches children about the history of the Gold Rush in California. The facts are accurate and fun to read because of the format. The pictures and text look like they jumped out of the pages of a comic strip. The information is well researched and accurate, but the format is lively and easy for children to read and understand. The end of the book contains a section with a short glossary, Internet sites, and additional books to use for researching the gold rush. This book could be used in a history class as a fun way for youth to learn about the past.

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database

Each of the Graphic Library titles presents a short introduction to the chosen topic. The books use bright comic-type illustrations to capture the interest of the reader. Although all aspects of the historical topic or person's life are not addressed, the books do provide basic information. Direct quotations from primary sources are included in each book and an index is provided. The books would be useful in schools that have ESL programs or with students who have learning disabilities.

Pennsylvania School Librarians Association