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.
Novel for ages 8–12
Walker Books Australia
ISBN 9781761601491
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REVIEWS
“… a perfect class novel focus , ideal for readers aged 8 plus …” Paul MacDonald – Paul’s Book Trail
“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.” Michelle – Lamont Books
“… It’s got a bit of everything, and the tension and worry shapes the latter half of the novel. This means that it all builds to something big. Something that could have ended in tragedy so many times. It doesn’t shy away from the reality, yet it ensures that the story works for middle grade readers, giving them hope as well to see that sometimes, things do work out. Even if it isn’t how we always expect or think it will.” The Book Muse – Ashleigh Meikle
“… It’s a rousing adventure filled with excellent drama and tension that will have readers turning the pages with gusto. It will make a perfect accompaniment read-aloud to your kiddos in the midst of their gold rush unit … It’s a golden 5 
rating for pure historical enjoyment and thrills.” Just So Stories Losang Zopa
“… 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.” – Erin Middleton, editor, Walker Books for Books+Publishing
“… Highly recommended … The reader experiences through Alfie’s eyes the hopes, hardships, fears and dangers – the general life on the goldfields as the exciting story unfolds…” Wendy, Jeffrey ReadPlus
LISTS AND AWARDS
NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge, Years 5&6