A review by yapha
Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine by Caroline Starr Rose

4.0

Things have been hard since Jasper's mother died. His father has taken to drinking and is angry all of the time. When word comes that gold has been discovered in the Yukon, Jasper's older brother Melvin sets off in search of it without him. Jasper is both hurt and angry, since they had promised to escape their father together. Jasper takes his few belongings and follows his brother, including stowing away on the steamship. Once they get to Alaska, however, nothing is as they expected. It will take all of their wits and working together to survive, let alone strike it rich.

First Nations people are mentioned in passing, in neither a positive or negative way during the story. There is a reference to the "Tlinglit Packers" being hired to help the Stampeders carry gear. There is a longer paragraph about the effects of the miners on the native populations in the author's note at the end.

Recommended for grades 4 & up.