Description
August 1854: At thirteen, Alf has just finished school and wants to make decisions about his future. But his mum has uprooted their life in Melbourne and insisted he help her set up a store in Ballarat on the goldfields.
While Alf's not sure what he wants to do, he definitely knows he doesn't want to be a storekeeper for the rest of his life. As Alf makes friends with Peter Lalor and the local diggers, he realises that gold fever is just one of many things ruling life on the goldfields. But how can Alf gain independence from his mother and help his friends?
Rebellion is rumbling and is about to shake the goldfields to their core.
Review
It’s 1854 and gold fever has hit Victoria. Alf and his mother decide to leave Melbourne and head to Ballarat to open a store. At 13, Alf is not sure what he wants to do with his life. But Alf soon discovers that the goldfields have many problems, and he must decide where his loyalties lie.
This is a great novel about life on the goldfields, in particular at Eureka. Full of lots of wonderful characters and with many historical figures involved in the story, it will be a great introduction to the Eureka rebellion for your students.
Friendship, trust and hard work are some of the central themes, along with dealing with corruption and unfairness from figures in authority.
This will be enjoyed by readers in Year 5 and up.
Reviewed by Michelle
