Some did strike it rich like the four young men in this story, with a nugget bigger than a leg of lamb. They named it the Blanche Barkly after the then Governor’s daughter. It was found on Dja Dja Wurrung land, in August 1857.
Others left poorer than when they came.
Robbie and Jim Ambrose, and Sam and Charlie Napier,
meet on the road while travelling to the goldfields.
The story covers four seasons of their life on the goldfields, depicting their daily routine, surroundings, experiences, and the outcome of their diggings.
Everyone is optimistic, our luck will change, I smell it in the air, I see it in the tea leaves, I feel it in my bones.
When the brothers discover a giant nugget in a shaft, a visit to Queen Victoria is an added bonus. There the nugget goes on show for all the country to see!
Jackie Kerin’s use of repetition and alliteration
adds rhythm to the text and makes listening to it read loud, an experience.
Annie White’s brilliant illustrations bring this
true story to life for the reader. Beautifully designed and presented, it reveals
an important part of Australian history which is perhaps unknown to many.
As
always, White has created meaningful end pages that embrace the story.
Gold! is an ideal starting point for younger readers to
learn about the gold rush days and the people who experienced this part of our county’s
rich history of progress, change and development.
Title:
Gold!
Author:
Jackie Kerin
Illustrator:
Annie White
Publisher:
FORD ST, $16.95
Publication
Date: 1 September 2020
Format:
Paperback
ISBN:
9781925804522
For
ages: 6+
Type:
Non Fiction
