New Project - 2022-06-22T192832.813

The Stories of the Gold Rush Children Surviving

While reading about the women, Jane and Claire were also fascinated by the stories of the many Children of the Gold Rush and decided to write another book (originally published by Roberts Rinehart, then Alaska Northwest Books, 2001).

In vintage photos, personal stories, and related historical material, Children of the Gold Rush portrays the lives of the indomitable kids who first came to Alaska and the Yukon Territory. In a land where freezing, dark winters and mosquito-filled summers challenged even the hardiest pioneers, the children had to be as tough as the adults and quick to adapt to new conditions — learning to eat caribou and moose and dressing in fur. Some children left after a few years; others stayed and raised their own children on the frontier.

Available May 31st, 2022.

Awards

  • Willa Cather Award

  • American Booksellers Pick of the List

  • American Library Association Notable Book Nomination

Row seperator

Reviews for Children of the Gold Rush

“I consider [Children of the GoldRush] to be suitable fare for anyone with an interest in Northern history. […] Cold, the hard work and the usual lack of schools were significant elements in most children’s lives in the Yukon and Alaska, and often forged the types of personality traits important in later successes. Contrary to modern theories that growing up too quickly can be bad for a child’s development, Murphy and Haigh argue that “Learning to work hard at a very young age may have been their best lesson of all.” With stories in the book ranging from sad and introspective to comical, “Children of the Gold Rush” will make a worthwhile addition to the library of anyone who wants a more rounded perspective on the development of the Northern frontier.”

~ Murray W. Lundberg (Carcross, Yukon, Canada)

Q & A With Claire