I have very mixed feelings on this book, it starts with a very powerful story and narrative, but we are then ripped away and bounced around many black gold miner's perspectives. The language itself is very simple and so is the writing, but its immensely jarring to be ripped from these believable and well-developed depictions of real people. Even with it being third person and the plot still maintaining underwhelming tension, the shifts are sill tremendously rough if not almost off-putting. It definitely touches upon tough issues while providing strong page style and photos of an older California, but its hard to place your mind's eye into a literary world with such sporadic pace. ( )

I think this would make a great independent read for second or third graders or it could even be useds aas a close read for them to start learning how to really go deep into the meanigs and different parts of a book.
I think it could also be used as an interactive read aloud to those in first grade or to those who are at a lower reading level in second or third grade.

History and challenges to ethnic America-a worthy school-age topic. I love the re-telling of actual stories and concerns of real African-Americans into California and the gold rush period. I found the book quite long and detailed for young readers but still highly informative. All history is not an easy discussion topic but this provides a good transition into open discussion for the classroom. The book was a trip in to Black history for me, and as an minority male, I see value in the book for an advanced reader.

This book tells the story of African American migrants to California for the Gold Rush of 1849. African Americans came over to California for a variety of reasons: some were in search of opportunity while some came as slaves. While some found good fortune, most others found hardship and were disappointed. This book uses chapters to discuss how the historical events surrounding African Americans and the Gold Rush developed, and even includes photographs and drawings from that era. Real people's stories are discussed in a way that brings truth and a reality to the struggles of being African American and a Gold Rush miner.

This book presents a detailed and factual account of the life and accomplishments of Mifflin Gibbs. It also paints a very real picture of the racist world in which Gibbs lived and interacted with others. Interspersed throughout the book are photos that are authentic to the time period. The overall theme of this book is that one should pursue his or her dreams, no matter how far-fetched they might seem. Gibbs lived in a time period in which he was not respected simply for the color of his skin, however he mangaged to become successful and help others at the same time. This book could be used in the classroom during a study on positive African American figures in history.