Our History: Hill End Gold
When Pa buys a stake in a gold mine at Hill End, Alfie knows his life is about to change. A golden future is just within reach, and fortune favours the bold ... but in Hill End, fortunes are lost as fast as they are made.
It’s 1872 and Alfie Wilson’s pa has sold the farm. He’s moving the family to Hill End to make their fortune and secure their Golden Future. Pa has gold fever – and so has Alfie – and they are convinced that it won’t be long before they'll be the Wealthy Wilsons.
Not everything is golden in this mining town though. Alfie soon discovers that life in Hill End is hard and, at times, dangerous. But fortune favours the bold, and Alfie is determined he and his pa will overcome the many hardships and risks to strike it rich.
But are there things in life more precious than gold?
The third book in the Our History series, set in the famous gold rush town of Hill End. Written by acclaimed Australian author Sue Whiting.
Creators
Sue Whiting is an award-winning children’s and YA author, editor and former primary school teacher. Sue writes for many age groups, from picture books through to YA, including the bestselling Missing, the acclaimed The Book of Chance and several CBCA Notable Books. Sue’s latest books are Tilda a historical novel for readers 10+ and the second book in her middle grade fiction series, Pearly and Pig and the Lost City of Mu Savan. As a storyteller and schools’ performer, Sue has informed, inspired and entertained thousands of kids across the country. Sue is passionate about the power of story and is an advocate for reading and writing for pleasure.
Reviews
This is a great historic novel that shows how dangerous life on the gold fields really was. It was hard for everyone, and kids were expected to help out as much as possible to make sure the family could survive. Alfie is a great character and you will love his adventures. It also highlights the importance of family and friends helping each other, and how much they all relied on being a part of the community. This will be thoroughly enjoyed by those who like historical tales, and is ideal for those in upper primary.
LamontBooks
The history of Australia’s Gold Rush era is a staple of school curricula, but what young readers will love about Hill End Gold is the voice of its protagonist Alfie. Seeing the town of Hill End through Alfie’s eyes will make young readers feel as if they are on the muddy streets, hearing the thump of a stamper battery, or fossicking for surface gold. Just like Alfie, readers will be caught up in ‘gold fever’ – but the book’s balancing of gold rush excitement with the realities of life in the 1870s will also impart lessons about honesty, responsibility and family.
Books + Publishing
Hill End Gold is an interesting book, filled with real people and fictional people that shape the story, shape Hill End and show what different times were like through the eyes of a young boy who was there. We may know the facts, and the big names, yet learning about history through fictional people can add something. It teaches us about the very human side of historical events and the regular people who were affected by the big decisions made by those in charge, or who had more power. I think kids can learn a lot from books like this, as they bring history to life in ways that books that are pure fact simply can’t. Another great book from Sue Whiting, and a great addition to the Walker Books history series.
The Book Muse
