Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine

Gr 4–7—The dreams and dangers of the 1897 Klondike gold rush fuel Rose's first novel in prose, and it's a rousing historical adventure. By the end of the first chapter, news of the strikes reaches 11-year-old Jasper and 16-year-old Melvin's rural Washington town. The brothers quickly forsake their abusive father and set out for the gold fields of Canada. Harsh weather and physical challenges aren't the only perils along the way. Stampeders are more likely to steal from than help one another, especially two boys traveling alone. Tall tales of gold that grows on trees keep the brothers' hopes high; Jasper is spurred on by the legend of a million-dollar stake abandoned by miner One-Eyed Riley, who left behind a series of riddles leading to the gold. It's unlikely that readers will be able to solve the riddles and locate Riley's claim on the included map, but that won't deter them. Rose's carefully plotted clues, along with colorful supporting characters and narrow escapes, keep the pace brisk until Jasper finds Riley's mine in a suspenseful climax. Complementing a narrative rich in details about life on the frontier, the author's note provides more intriguing facts, including profiles of characters in the book who were true historical figures.