About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to notice economic differences between families or when they are curious about how children lived in the 'olden days.' Set during the Australian Victorian Goldfields era, the story follows Jack and Tom as they navigate extreme hunger and financial hardship. While the plot centers on a thrilling hunt for a cursed treasure, the underlying heart of the book is about the lengths people will go to for their loved ones and the moral complexity of 'stealing' out of necessity. This is an excellent choice for children aged 8 to 12 who enjoy historical fiction but prefer it served with a side of mystery and spooky legends. It provides a safe space to discuss poverty and the concept of 'fool's gold,' teaching that true wealth lies in friendship and integrity. Parents will appreciate the factual historical details woven into a fast-paced narrative that makes history feel immediate and high-stakes.
