Hard Gold

By: Avi
Early Wittcomb's family is in danger of losing their Iowa farm.  So, Uncle Jesse, Early's best friend, heads west to find gold in the Rocky Mountains.  After Jesse sends a letter saying he's found gold but his life is in danger, Early runs away from home.  He joins a wagon train headed west.  Early makes friends with a girl his age, but he faces many dangers as he tries to get to Uncle Jesse before it's too late.

Mrs. Senechal says:
This is the second "I Witness" book by Avi that I have read.  Again, the author does a great job of creating interesting characters who experience important events in the history of our country.  Because Early travels from Iowa to the Rocky Mountains of present-day Colorado, I recognized many of the Nebraska landmarks described in the book.  Avi really shows readers the adversity and adventure that pioneers faced as they traveled west.  I also thought the book had a good, though bittersweet, ending.