This summer, with all the various rewards programs, my children are much more interested in reading. Since most programs also count the time they are read to, we’ve been keeping our enjoyable routine of read alouds going. Our latest read has been Badge of Honor by Susan K. Marlow – the first in the Goldtown Adventures. My son (7) is happy to have a boy-centered book for a change!
Taking place in the twilight years of the gold rush, the stories are centered around Jem Coulter and his family. Jem along with his sister Ellie and cousin Nathan have many adventures in and around Goldtown and Cripple Creek. Even though Nathan is a city-slicker, recently arrived from ‘back East’, he catches on to helping with the chores. Many hands make light the work so there is more time for prospecting (or at least that is their plan)!
Through the book, we get a good feel for a gold town in the mid-1840s. We learn about panning and mining for gold. We follow along as 12 year old Jem faces challenges – his father becoming sheriff, an aunt and cousin moving in and changing things, a dangerous spot while solving a mystery, and the general busy-ness of life at that awkward age of not a child and not a man.
Throughout Badge of Honor, faith is interwoven (but not too strongly). What could be a rough and tough story, considering the time and place, is not. Jem gets himself into a tight spot while checking out what has happened to Cripple Creek, but is able to get out of it with some help. Demonstrations of faith and doing the right thing keep the story positive and encouraging. When a character does make a poor choice, we see the consequences for those actions (great teaching opportunities!).
We are anxious to get the second book in the series, Tunnel of Gold. As long as Susan Marlow will keep writing of these adventures, we will keep reading them. My son absolutely loves the story – and that it’s not girly at all. His sisters are equalling enjoying listening as well. I am loved reading this and seeing my children not only enjoy a good story but glean some lessons as well. This is truly a story for all ages. Readers 8-12 will find the story just right to read for themselves.
When visiting the Goldtown Adventures website, you can learn more about the characters, gold and mining. You can download samples of the books, lapbooks and the full study guide. The study guide works with 2-4 chapters at a time. Comprehension, vocabulary and simple activities make up the bulk of the pages. There are opportunities to write short paragraphs and dig deeper into some of the things encountered in the book. There are some hands-on ideas as well. Experience the chill of a cold mountain creek. Could you pan for gold in those freezing waters?
There are currently two books in the series with a third, Canyon of Danger, due this fall. You can purchase the softcover books for $7.99 each. The study guides are a free pdf download. There are also lapbooks made by A Journey Through Learning available for $7.00 (pdf) to $12.00 (printed). You can order a bundle of both book and lapbook for either title for $18.00.
