About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the weight of family responsibility or feeling anxious about financial stability at home. Hard Gold offers a grounded, historical perspective on what it means to be a provider and the sacrifices made for the sake of one's kin. It is an ideal choice for the middle-grade reader who enjoys gritty realism and survival stories where the stakes are high and the moral choices are complex. The story follows young Early Wittcomb as he embarks on a treacherous journey to the Colorado gold fields during the 1859 rush. His motivation is purely selfless: he needs to find his uncle and secure enough gold to save his family's farm from foreclosure. Through Early's eyes, children explore themes of resilience, the harsh realities of the American frontier, and the deep bonds of family. While the setting is historical, the emotional core of wanting to protect one's home is timeless and deeply relatable for children who sense adult stresses.
