destinationgoldDestination Gold, by Julie Lawson • Orca Books, 2000. 210 pages.

As a Californian, I can be a bit myopic about the gold rush. Wasn’t it something grizzled men in overalls did before founding the Mechanics’ Institute, inventing the cable car, and establishing a football team?

But, of course, Canada had one, too. And that’s where 16-year-old Ned Turner is headed. It’s 1897, he’s supporting his mother and sister following his father’s death, and the Yukon holds the promise of easy gold, free for the taking.

Of course, things aren’t nearly that simple. Almost immediately, Ned falls in with a fellow traveler whose offer to show Ned the ropes seems to steer Ned directly into trouble. And the trail is long and hard, giving lie to the promise of easy money.

Interwoven with Ned’s story is that of his sister, Sarah, and of a strange girl named Catherine, who’s determination to reach the Yukon is fueled by a desire to leave her past behind.

I was honestly surprised by the brutality of this book. The trail north is harsh and remorseless, and Lawson spares little detail of the cruelty heaped upon both man and beast by both the wilderness and their fellow travelers. Though Ned, Catherine, and Sarah survive and even flourish, their journey is by no means an easy one, and sensitive readers (like me!) might need to take a breather from time to time.

Despite its occasional harshness, this book is appropriate for middle schoolers (honestly, I sometimes think middle schoolers are better equipped than adults for this sort of thing — they’re no strangers to man’s inhumanity to man!). Both boys and girls should find plenty of characters to root for here, and villains to hiss at. Girls especially will enjoy how much better suited Sarah turns out to be for life on the frontier compared to her brother. The book also brings to life a significant moment in the history of western North America, making it a valuable educational resource as well as a gripping read.