Far North, Jason's Gold, Down the Yukon -- content OK for a 4th grade girl?

[FlockOfSillies]

I bought these titles at a Scholastic warehouse sale, and I want to get some feedback on them before I hand them over to my 8yo dd. Any questionable content to beware? They seem to be a favorite of the American Library Assn., which makes me a wee bit nervous.

TIA.

[Melissa in CA]

I bought these titles at a Scholastic warehouse sale, and I want to get some feedback on them before I hand them over to my 8yo dd. Any questionable content to beware? They seem to be a favorite of the American Library Assn., which makes me a wee bit nervous.

TIA.

We have read both Jason's Gold and it's sequel Down the Yukon and loved them. But I read them out loud to my son who is 10. In Jason's Gold there are some elements that might cause you concern...lots of dead or dying horses, a man trying to kill his dogs and then killing himself. A boy being left by his uncle with a gangrenous leg in an abandoned cabin to die of infection and starvation (he lives though). The uncle tells Jason to just 'put him out in the cold if he must." The uncle's thirst for gold is far more important than a mere nephew.

The book holds no punches. It depicts the Alaska Gold Rush as it most likely was...harsh, unforgiving and COLD. The book is riddled with despair, desperation and death. The makings of a great adventure story to be sure. ;)

We loved both of these books and I highly recommend them, but they might be a bit over-the-top for an 8 year old, especially a girl. Boys often relish these kinds of stories full of adventure and real life danger, but girls tend to be more squeamish, especially when it involves dying horses or puppies. You might want to read Ch. 8 and decide for yourself; it will give you a good idea of some of the things I am talking about. :001_smile:

[FlockOfSillies]

This helps a lot. My 8yo dd is not your typical girly-girl. She's read all of the Hardy Boys books, and I've been reading On to Oregon out loud (both the parents die of disease). I'll look at Chapter 8 as you suggested.