224. Down the Yukon by Will Hobbs

Down the Yukon by Will Hobbs (Canada) - (US)
sequel to Jason's Gold

Pages: 193
Ages: 10+
Finished: Sept. 27, 2011
First Published: 2001
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Genre: YA, historical fiction, adventure
Rating: 4/5


First sentence:

The trouble started over a mongrel dog, small, mostly black, shorthaired and shivering.

Acquired: Received a copy through BookMooch.

Reason for Reading:  After reading Jason's Gold, I promised ds I would read the sequel to him sometime and here we are finally getting to it.  A year and a half later!  But he's more mature for Hobbs now and he wants me to read more books by him.

Though the word Yukon is in the title, it refers to the river not the territory, so don't mistake this book as taking place in Canada.  The first in this series (and I'd say it's important to read them in order to get the full value of this sequel) takes places entirely in Canada while this one takes place entirely in Alaska, except for the beginning couple of chapters.  Starting six months after the end of Jason's Gold this book has Jason and Jamie entering a race from Dawson City to Nome to win the grand prize of $20,000 which readers of the first book will know why they need the money.

Another well-written adventure with much descriptive language of the land and one gets a great feel for being there with them.  Jason and Jamie are written as equals, there is hardly any distinction that they are male and female, though Hobbs does manage to write in an already affirmed relationship that they are a couple with a distinct future together. The majority of the book details their trip down the river and the obstacles they face along the way including bad guy Cornelius Donner from the first book.  Touches upon the Nome, Alaska gold rush to a small extent, giving enough information to impart what it was like there at that time but this book concentrates more on the fictional story and the geographical location than the historical content as did Jason's Gold.  A rip-roaring read for those who love adventure, survival or wilderness living.  The book packs a walloping adrenaline filled climax that is sure to have you wanting to read more Will Hobbs.  This mum and son are certainly looking forward to more!