Picture Book on A Historical Topic: The California Gold Rush by R. Conrad Stein

Title:
The California Gold Rush

Bibliographic Information:
Stein, R. C. (1995). The California gold rush. Chicago: Childrens Press.

Weekly Requirement:
Picture Book on a Historical Topic

Plot Description:
The California Gold Rush tells the true story of the California Gold Rush of 1849. It starts with the early beginnings of the gold rush when gold is discovered on businessman John Sutter's land. When gold was discovered word spread quickly and people from as far as the east coast of the United States rushed to California to mine for gold and earn a fortune. The book describes the methods of transportation the miners used to get to California, the hardships they encountered along the way, their interactions with Native Americans, the methods they used to mine for gold, and the cities that were created due to the gold rush.

Quantitative Reading Level:
Grade level equivalent 5.6

Qualitative Reading Analysis:
This book is written in chronological order beginning from Sutter's move to the United States in 1839 to the 1850's when miners began to move away from California. The book is written in the third person. It includes illustrations and photographs with captions underneath them. There is also a chronological timeline of important dates and also a glossary of terms from the book.


Content Area:
History

Maine Common Core Content Area Standard:
English Language Art.

Curriculum Suggestion:
Fifth Grade U.S. History to be taught in between the Mexican-American War and the Civil War.

Personal Thoughts:
The book breaks down the highlights of the California Gold Rush and describes them simply and briefly enough to hold a child's interest. It is much more simple and much more interesting than a standard textbook!

Series Information:
The Cornerstones of Freedom series is about important parts of United States history. It has three separate series, first, second, and third, and this book is part of the first series written in the 1990's. Other books in the first series include The Declaration of Independence by R. Conrad Stein, The Boston Tea Party by R. Conrad Stein, and The Constitution by Marilyn Prolman.