Seeds of Hope is set in the California Territory in 1849, the famed year of the Gold Rush. This diary is written by fourteen year old Susanna who was thrown into the gold mining life after a tragic accident at sea with her family. Her father makes the decision to bring Susanna and her older sister to live in California, so he can mine for gold, instead of their original plan to establish themselves in the Oregon Territory. Her father soon finds out that mining for gold is a tough and unforgiving job (not to mention dangerous!) and goes back to practicing medicine as he did before. Susanna and her sister (almost the only women in town) must adjust to their new life. This novel highlights the struggles of migrants and immigrants on the new frontier as well as shines light on the gold crazed population of the time.
I felt that this book was a very short and easy read and I think it would very much catch the attention of younger girls. I honestly didn't know much about the Gold Rush before picking up this book and through the diary of Susanna and the historical notes at the back of the book I actually learned a lot.
One down...seventy-seven to go!
By Kristiana Gregory
182 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (June 1, 2001)
ISBN-10: 0590511572
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