Product Description

At the start of the Klondike gold rush of 1897, while traveling through Canada with her father, uncle and friends, twelve-year-old aspiring author Hetty tries to determine the identity of a thief.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2049593 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 163 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-Hetty McKinley, 12, travels to the Yukon with her widower father, uncle, and friends to find their fortune at the height of the 1897 Klondike Gold Rush. Along the difficult and arduous trail through the snowy Chilkoot Pass, family members' mementos begin to disappear. Who could it be and why would someone be stealing items that only hold sentimental value? The hardship of the trip, the relationships that develop, and the lessons learned change Hetty, her friend Alma, and the other travelers as they make their way to Dawson City. Steiner has woven historical details into her scenes and characters. Many of the episodes reflect some of the writings of Jack London; in fact, the writer himself makes a cameo appearance. Hetty is by far the strongest figure in this story of struggle, intrigue, suspense, and adventure. An informative appendix complete with photos and a map of the Klondike Gold Rush gives readers a clearer idea of the trials and triumphs depicted here. This is a worthy addition to the series; interested readers can move on to Jack London's Call of the Wild for a classic description of this era.
Rita Soltan, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. In September 1897, 12-year-old Hetty, her father, and Uncle Donall, as well as her best friend, Alma, and Alma's mother, join thousands of adventurers heading for the Klondike goldfields. Although the prospect of finding gold is alluring, the trip will be punishing; they must haul three tons of supplies through the mountains to the Golden Stairs, the final brutal ascent to Chilkoot Pass, and then 500 miles north to Dawson. What Hetty is not prepared for are problems that plague them from the minute they leave the steamer: supplies damaged by water, the thefts of money and small treasures, Uncle Donall's friendship with a wealthy socialite, illness, blizzards, and an avalanche. Steiner's adventure mystery is a real page-turner and a good addition to the History Mysteries series. She captures all the drama and danger of the Klondikers' trek and infuses it with just the right amount of historical details to give readers a satisfying, action-filled story. Chris Sherman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Fun Mystery Thriller!
Mystery at Chilkoot Pass is one of the best children's chapter books I have read to-date. I was helping my 9 year old sister with her book report and she and I both thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It is witty, fun, adventurous, and a page-turner. This book is thorough, yet it doesn't wear you down with boring details. I would recommend this book not only to any third/fourth/fifth grader, but any adult who enjoys a good, fun mystery.

Don't Pass This One By
MYSTERY AT CHILKOOT PASS is the 17th book in the "History Mystery" series. It is autumn, 1897, and twelve-year-old Hetty, her friend Alma, their parents, and Hetty's Uncle Donall have left their homes in San Francisco to seek gold in the Klondike gold rush. They must get themselves and three tons of supplies and equipment up and over Chilkoot Pass before winter sets in. Thousands of other goldhunters are making the same trek. The story follows their struggle from the time they leave their ship near the coastal town of Dyea until they ascend the Pass. Along the way, large amounts of cash and small personal items of little value disappear. Hetty suspects her uncle might be a thief. Thieves are dealt with harshly in this frontier environment. Hetty proves to be a person of strength and resolution. She works hard and does what she has to in the face of hardship and death.

MYSTERY AT CHILKOOT PASS is a worthy addition to the "History Mystery" series. It will make you appreciate the hardships people were prepared to endure in the pursuit of fortune. It may also make you wonder what could have possessed people to leave their homes and put themselves through such hardships on the slim chance that they might find enough gold to make themselves rich. A nice introduction to an interesting bit of history.

The Mystery
This book is mostly about Hetty and they take a trip to a place called Chilkoot pass they cause an avalanche and they have to try to dig the person out of all the snow.The main thing that happens in the book is that mostly everybody loses something they really care about one morning Hetty wakes up and she has lost her locket. Hetty has a diary where she keeps track of all the things that are stolen and what happens to the person.At the end of the book well close they find the person who has to tell them why he or she stole the stuff they also find the bag of stolen stuff.Then also at the end Alma Hettys best friend gets married to Uncle Donall.But at the end they all leave very happily.I would recommend this book to anybody who loves to solve mysterys and enjoys a happy book and to anybody in third/fourth and fifth.