California Gold Rush

This series makes crucial events in U.S. history accessible to younger readers. Through clear writing and organization, the books describe the causes, the outcomes, and the conclusion of each turning point. Photographs, sidebars (which often contain facts and critical thinking questions), and relevant and appropriately placed maps and diagrams support the text. Photographs, while credited, aren’t always captioned; however, readers can gather most pertinent information from the text. Dust Bowl and Industrial Revolution make cross-curricular connections to science and technology. Great Depression doesn’t show any people of color within the book, and Women’s Suffrage Movement does not mention the suffrage efforts or struggles of Indigenous or black women. There are no sources or recommended titles listed in the back matter, but a link to a curated list of websites is included. VERDICT Purchase individual titles only as needed to support student research.

This graphic-rich introduction to the 1849 California gold rush walks readers through the basics, from the discovery of the first nuggets to the mass migration of hopeful prospectors to the sudden appearance of boomtowns to San Francisco’s transformation into a teeming metropolis. Simple, declarative sentences explain the significance of the discovery, where people came from, and why they were so desperate to strike it rich. Diagrams show how miners panned and mined for gold, and period photos and maps add visual appeal. Front matter offers suggestions for parents and teachers, and back matter includes a time line, glossary, and directions for accessing the publisher’s “Fact Surfer,” an online list of age-appropriate websites. Like other books in the Turning Points in U.S. History series (6 titles), this solid contribution offers engaging curriculum support.
— Kathleen McBroom