Rivers of Gold: Conclusion of Tracie Peterson's Yukon Quest

The second part of "Yukon Quest," Ashes and Ice, left our Yukon friends separated, relationships broken. Miranda Colton fell from a boat during a storm, presumed dead. Due to miscommunication, Peter and his parents think they lost Grace, not Miranda.

Rivers of Gold begins with such circumstances and quickly adds a few twists, for a hard-to-put-down story filled with several timing incidents in which the friends almost find each other. Then the pieces all fall into place, for a nice conclusion that neatly ties all the loose ends for a "happily ever after" historical romance.

While the first novel focused on Grace Hawkins and the second on Karen Pierce, Rivers of Gold brings Miranda to the foreground. She did not die in the river after all, but was rescued by a British man and an older Indian woman. Teddy Davenport is a botanist, researching the plant life of the Yukon. He plans to publish a book of his findings, his way of continuing his father's work and legacy. Thus he has no time for "interruptions" such as the young woman that showed up at his cabin. Miranda, meanwhile, is determined to find her friends and let them know she is okay. Through their time spent together, though, Teddy and Miranda fall in love.

The story takes place in 1899, and the characters note the changes in the area: how different things are from when they arrived during the gold rush hey-day two years ago. Just as quickly as the gold seekers came, the now depart. Many have given up their dream of gold and desperately try to sell their equipment. Others are heading for Nome, Alaska, where gold has just been discovered, hoping again to strike it rich.

The bulk of the action takes place in and around Dawson, Yukon, the town the group was heading for in the previous book. Villain Martin Paxton is now gone, and so a new villain is supplied, from a minor character introduced in Ashes and Ice. This enemy is more realistic than Paxton, does not occupy the full story, and reflects the all-too-true violence and greed of the gold rush days.

Brief mention is made of historical events, including a fire in Dawson made worse by the firemen's strike, and the celebration for Queen Victoria. Overall, though, Rivers of Gold is a story about the people we have come to love from the previous two books and how their lives and problems finally fall into place. The characters learn of the true "rivers of Gold" -- faith in God and the joy of loved ones. Through trials and temptations of gold, the characters learn what really brings peace and riches; the gold that so many seek will not satisfy.

A Way Through The Sea: Denmark Children During World War II

A Way Through The Sea begins Robert Elmer’s “The Young Underground” series for young readers (ages 8-13). The Andersen twins, Peter and Elise, have experienced German soldiers in their hometown of Helsingor, Denmark since they were eight years old. It has been three years since the Germans invaded (1940), with no sign of the war ending. Life goes on, as normal as possible, but the adults seem nervous, as does the twins’ Jewish friend, Henrik Melchior. The Danish Jews have escaped the persecution of other European countries – so far. But that situation will soon change.

Throughout the first part of the book, eleven-year-olds Peter, Elise and Henrik enjoy carefree summer days. Often they ride their bicycles across town and release their three pigeons for “pigeon races” to see which bird is the fastest. Peter and Henrik send Morse code signals by flashlight at nighttime, though the Nazi presence makes such games more dangerous. Peter also enjoys visiting his grandfather and Uncle Morten, who operate a fishing boat at the coast. Sweden is just a few miles across the sea, visible from the Denmark coast, but Peter and Elise have never even been out in the fishing boat.

Peter considers himself a Lutheran, in the patriotic tradition – after all, they attend church every Christmas and Easter. Still, he notices that Uncle Morten, who attends a small church every week, is different. Then the children see Uncle Morten having a secret meeting with a Swedish man. He must be working with the Underground Resistance.

In late September 1943, the Nazis decided to round up all the Denmark Jews – about 7,000. But in a remarkable, oft-forgotten true World War II story, the Danish people learned of the plan two days in advance. Unlike the Europeans in other conquered lands, all Denmark’s citizens banded together to rescue their Jewish neighbors and help them escape to Sweden. As related in A Way Through The Sea and the epilogue (historical notes), most of the Jews in fact escaped – Hitler was furious! Peter, Elise and Henrik find their own harrowing adventures in the midst of this terrible time, as they take direct action to send Henrik to Sweden.

The first in a series, A Way Through The Sea sets the groundwork for many more adventures for the Andersen twins. Henrik Melchior later appears in the second book of Elmer’s “Promise of Zion” series, as a 15-year-old in 1947 Palestine. The name Melchior, by the way, may come from an actual person in Denmark history; Rabbi Dr. Marcus Melchior was among those who took action in September 1943.

Written on the Wind: New Judith Pella Series

Written on the Wind introduces a new Judith Pella series, "Daughters of Fortune." It is 1941 Los Angeles, and the Hayes family has three young-adult daughters -- but alas, as far as father Keagan Hayes is concerned, no sons. The cold, harsh and domineering Keagan has even given boys' names to his daughters: Cameron, Blair, and Jackie. Not surprisingly, the daughters yearn for their father's approval and acceptance, the one thing they can never have.

Oldest daughter Cameron, age 24, enjoys a career as a journalist -- courtesy of her father's newspaper. Yet she determines to make it on her own, and quits the job to go work at a competitor's newspaper. Soon she finds herself on assignment in Europe, and then (her biggest dream) the Soviet Union. Through Cameron we experience Stalin's Russia, under siege by Hitler during the summer and fall of 1941. Due to the immediate crisis, Stalin has allowed American journalists in the country. The Soviet Union, though, is still under Stalin's grip, a closed society that finds it must become allies with the likes of Churchill and the U.S. The Communist country frustrates the journalists, who can never report the real news but merely translate whatever is printed in the Soviet's official paper, Pravda. Russian citizens stay away from foreigners, fearful for their lives. Hotels, factories and other buildings are of second-rate quality, in disrepair -- in sharp contrast to the U.S.

Cameron is all action, ready to grab the latest story -- maybe even win a Pulitzer! But as she tells fellow journalist and friend Johnny Shanahan, she thinks she can experience the war without it affecting her. Soon she becomes involved with the Russian people, and faces the terrible consequences that come about from such involvement, due to the strict government. Cameron finds her own walls coming down, though, to let people into her life, and feels torn between two friends -- Johnny Shanahan and Alex, a Russian doctor. She also must come to terms with her father and their estranged relationship, while discovering what it is she really wants in life.

The younger two daughters have minor roles, with enough problems of their own. Blair enjoys the Hollywood party scene, and soon discovers she can easily act out a pretend life. Her double-life deceives a man she comes to love. But will her house of lies be discovered? What then?

Jackie functions as the family peacemaker, the only "normal" one of the family. A Christian, she attends UCLA, where she develops a friendship with a Japanese-American man. Though Pearl Harbor is still months away, prejudice still abounds; Jackie's society will never accept such relationships between white and Asian people.

Written on the Wind is an enjoyable read through early World War II and its impact on the Hayes family, especially Cameron. The characters are portrayed realistically and deal with deep issues that bring lasting change and maturity. Obviously established as the first in a series, the book leaves many loose ends to hold the reader in suspense, awaiting the sequel.

Peace Rebel: Young Teen “Promise of Zion” Continues

Robert Elmer’s Peace Rebel picks up the exciting story begun in Promise Breaker, this time focusing more directly on Dov Zalinski and Emily Parkinson. Dov is finally in Palestine, having been pushed off his ship and rescued from the waters by Emily Parkinson. Before long, the two children are gathered and sent with other refugees to a kibbutz (Jewish farm).

Emily is quite upset at being separated from her father and having to suffer the humiliating experiences of illegal Jews. Indignant and impatient, she tries to take matters into her own hands when it seems no one else will help take her back to her parents. However, she soon gets more than she expected and finds her life in danger.

Dov quickly becomes restless with life at the kibbutz, and also seeks a way out, to find his long-lost parents in Jerusalem. His anger and stubbornness often get the best of him, pulling him away from those who try to help him. Dov’s and Emily’s experiences pull them together, to friendship in spite of their differences.

Peace Rebel introduces new characters while omitting several main characters from the previous book, such as Emily’s parents and other relatives. Henrik Melchior, a Danish boy about 15 or 16, enjoys life on the kibbutz. A friendly, outgoing boy who tries to help Dov and Emily, Henrik is a Jewish Christian with a heart for Jewish refugees, desiring to tell them of the “Peace Rebel,” Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus). Readers of Robert Elmer’s previous children’s series, “The Young Underground,” will enjoy this follow-up about Henrik, one of the main characters in that World War II series.

Other interesting characters in Peace Rebel include a group of American tourists, an event based on an actual visit by such tourists to the Holy Land in 1947. This story includes more background about the Jewish terrorists of the time, who sought violent means to force Britain’s hand and allow Jews to come to Israel. Along the way, Dov is tempted. Should he follow the way of peace, or the way of war and violence?

Peace Rebel brings another exciting action-packed episode to the “Promise of Zion” series, with another cliff-hanging end to be picked up in a third book. Currently the first four books in this series have been published, with a 5th one due out in March 2002.

Promise Breaker: A Young Teen Look at Israel in 1947

Robert Elmer’s “Promise of Zion” series for pre-teens and young teenagers tells the story of Israel becoming a nation shortly after World War II. It is Europe and Palestine, 1947, and many Jews that survived the holocaust find themselves unwelcome in many European countries. Many end up in displaced persons camps, and Palestine’s allure is strong. The British rule the place of so much controversy, and use their military might to keep illegal immigrants out. But a few still manage to sneak into the country.

Promise Breaker, the first book in the series, introduces 13-year-old Dov Zalinski, a Polish Jew abandoned by his parents at the outbreak of World War II, when he was only 5. Years of life in an orphanage, followed by Nazi work camps, have hardened the boy, who trusts no one and insists he can get by on his own. His parents long ago promised that the family would move to Jerusalem. Now, stuck in a camp for displaced orphans, Dov decides to run away and find his family, whether they be in Warsaw or Jerusalem.

Emily Parkinson, also age 13, has lived in Jerusalem with her family since age 5. The only child of British Major Parkinson, Emily is spoiled and demanding. She always knows how to get what she wants from her father, but this year her actions will get her into more problems than her father can rescue her from.

The action-adventure story alternately follows the lives of Dov and Emily, showing both sides of the difficult situation. Through Dov, we encounter the Mossad, a Jewish group which sent its agents throughout Europe, helping Jews travel to “Eretz Israel,” and the difficulties that Jewish traveling groups faced. Emily’s father portrays the hard-line British military stance, determined to stop the immigrant ships. Fiery-tempered and lacking compassion, he assumes that all the incoming Jews are violent and connected with recent terrorism, such as hotel bombings. To make for interesting family relationships, the Major’s brother, Anthony, is married to a Jewish Christian woman. Emily unquestioningly trusts her father, yet wonders at things she sees at Uncle Anthony’s home.

The action-packed story never lets up, with an entertaining story suitable for pre-teens and young teens, showing life for holocaust survivors --without the many horrifying events of the death camps. Dov clearly suffers, trying hard not to remember the past. The author adds interesting background notes at the end, telling which parts of the story are true, and sources for further information. The character of Dov Zalinski was based on many events that happened to an actual Jewish Holocaust survivor, and the author interviewed him in preparation for the “Promise of Zion” series.