4 Stars
"The year is 1850, and orphaned Eldora with her "Aunt" and "Uncle" have exchanged their quiet lives in New Bedford Massachusetts, for new ones in San Francisco,, the rapidly growing city that is the heart of the California Gold Rush. Shortly after their arrival, they receive a letter from an unknown woman who believes she is Eldora's mother, and is eager to meet her long-lost daughter. As Eldora deals with her conflicting feelings about this news, she must also adjust to the challenges--and dangers--of living in a brash and growing city."
Though this book had great potential for interest (how many of us might wonder about a child's perspective of that unique and bizarre moment in history?), I feel it ultimately fell flat. Told through letters from several of the characters back and forth, it just wasn't very intriguing. There are inconsistencies in the timing of events, the characters don't ring true, and all the mystery is handled in a way that sucks all the interest out. The same author has apparently received a Newberry for one of her other books (along the same lines--historical fiction, written through "letters"), but after the bore this one presented, I have to say, it would take a pretty high recommendation to get me to bother with it.
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