What do you think?
Rate this book
Goldtown Adventures #1
Badge of Honor
Twelve-year-old Jeremiah "Jem" Coulter knows that Goldtown, California, has seen the last of the gold rush. But the flecks of gold he and an old prospector, "Strike," find in their played-out claim on Cripple Creek spur Jem's hope of striking it rich. In the meantime, he and his sister, Ellie, sell frog legs and firewood to bring in extra cash. When Jem's father accepts a job as sheriff of lawless Goldtown, Jem is suddenly saddled with an additional responsibility--to run their broken-down ranch. He faces a hard path as he tries to be a man and make his father proud, but then Cripple Creek mysteriously dries up and Strike suddenly disappears. Jem is determined to find out why. Can anything be worse than being a sheriff's kid? Will outlaws use his father's badge for target practice? Is that silver star just a target . . . or truly a badge of honor?
Readers ages 8 to 14 fell in love with Susan Marlow's Circle C Adventures. Now the same adventurous spirit and historical lure are back in a brand new series featuring a new cast of characters and exciting escapades. As educational as it is entertaining, the Goldtown Adventures series is one the whole family will enjoy.
Readers ages 8 to 14 fell in love with Susan Marlow's Circle C Adventures. Now the same adventurous spirit and historical lure are back in a brand new series featuring a new cast of characters and exciting escapades. As educational as it is entertaining, the Goldtown Adventures series is one the whole family will enjoy.
- GenresChildrensHistorical
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
44 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 20, 2014
Susan K. Marlow in her new book, “Badge Of Honor” Book One in the Goldtown Adventures series published by Kregel Publications introduces us to Jeremiah “Jem” Coulter .
From the back cover: It’s 1864 and Goldtown, California, has seen the last of its Gold Rush days. But the flecks of gold Twelve-year-old Jeremiah “Jem” Coulter and an old prospector, “Strike,” find in their played-out claim on Cripple Creek spur Jem’s hope of striking it rich. In the meantime, he and his sister, Ellie, sell frog legs and firewood to bring in extra cash.
When Jem’s father accepts a job as sheriff of lawless Goldtown, Jem is suddenly saddled with an additional responsibility–to run their broken-down ranch. He faces a hard path as he tries to be a man and make his father proud, but then Cripple Creek mysteriously dries up and Strike suddenly disappears. Jem is determined to find out why.
Can anything be worse than being a sheriff’s kid? Will outlaws use his father’s badge for target practice? Is that silver star just a target . . . or truly a badge of honor?
I think that what Kids want from a book is action and adventure; what parents want for their kids is a message and great themes and what I want for them is a Western. Well Susan K. Marlow has supplied all of these in abundance in this the first book of this series. Ms. Marlow provides lots of story with plenty of suspense. “Jem” loves his father and when he finds out that to make ends meet his father has become the sheriff he is terrified that the badge is going to make him a target and get himself shot. It is this coming to terms with what the badge really means that is the basis of this whole story, even though the mystery and adventure is wonderful and exciting. I think Susan K. Marlow is an extremely talented writer who really knows how to tell a story that will grab you and keep you flipping pages. “Badge Of Honor” is a very exciting book that will keep you engrossed in the characters. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: It’s 1864 and Goldtown, California, has seen the last of its Gold Rush days. But the flecks of gold Twelve-year-old Jeremiah “Jem” Coulter and an old prospector, “Strike,” find in their played-out claim on Cripple Creek spur Jem’s hope of striking it rich. In the meantime, he and his sister, Ellie, sell frog legs and firewood to bring in extra cash.
When Jem’s father accepts a job as sheriff of lawless Goldtown, Jem is suddenly saddled with an additional responsibility–to run their broken-down ranch. He faces a hard path as he tries to be a man and make his father proud, but then Cripple Creek mysteriously dries up and Strike suddenly disappears. Jem is determined to find out why.
Can anything be worse than being a sheriff’s kid? Will outlaws use his father’s badge for target practice? Is that silver star just a target . . . or truly a badge of honor?
I think that what Kids want from a book is action and adventure; what parents want for their kids is a message and great themes and what I want for them is a Western. Well Susan K. Marlow has supplied all of these in abundance in this the first book of this series. Ms. Marlow provides lots of story with plenty of suspense. “Jem” loves his father and when he finds out that to make ends meet his father has become the sheriff he is terrified that the badge is going to make him a target and get himself shot. It is this coming to terms with what the badge really means that is the basis of this whole story, even though the mystery and adventure is wonderful and exciting. I think Susan K. Marlow is an extremely talented writer who really knows how to tell a story that will grab you and keep you flipping pages. “Badge Of Honor” is a very exciting book that will keep you engrossed in the characters. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 20, 2013
Susan K. Marlow is back at it. She has written the captivating Circle C Adventures about 12-year-old Andi Carter on her family’s ranch, as well as the endearing Circle C Beginnings, a series about young Andi and her not-so-little adventures.
Now Susan K. Marlow is beginning a new series, this one starring 12-year-old Jeremiah “Jem” Coulter and his adventures in 1864 Goldtown, California. In Badge of Honor, Jem is introduced as an honest, hardworking boy who has high hopes of “striking it rich” in the nearby Cripple Creek. He and his little sister, Ellie, are panning for gold with their old prospector friend, Strike, when their father, Matt Coulter, shows up. Jem isn’t as bothered by being caught playing hooky as he is by the shiny star he sees on his father’s chest: the star that identifies him as the first sheriff of Goldtown.
From there, Jem is thrown into a storm of emotions and events that change his world forever. Whether he likes it or not (and he certainly doesn’t like it), his father is the sheriff, a job that almost promises Pa will get shot by some desperate outlaw. Jem and Ellie now have to live up to the reputation of sheriff’s kids, an elevation they don’t want. And their aunt and cousin have come to live with them, bringing from Boston all their inexperience and even more changes.
With her easy style and outstanding quality, Susan K. Marlow follows every twist and turn of Jem’s rapidly-changing life. Will Jem accept Aunt Rose and Nathan’s presence in their home? Will he, Ellie, and Nathan find out why Cripple Creek dried up? And most of all, will Jem ever come to see the honor of his father’s new position as sheriff?
I loved this book because it, too, is honorable. It is among the finest examples of Christian fiction, juvenile or otherwise, that I have ever read: the morals are clear and uplifting, the characters are noble (the bad guys, of course, are not, but they are bad without polluting the book), and the general writing is clean and refreshing. Though this is a series geared for tween boys, boys and girls (of any age!) will love this new book by Susan K. Marlow. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
Now Susan K. Marlow is beginning a new series, this one starring 12-year-old Jeremiah “Jem” Coulter and his adventures in 1864 Goldtown, California. In Badge of Honor, Jem is introduced as an honest, hardworking boy who has high hopes of “striking it rich” in the nearby Cripple Creek. He and his little sister, Ellie, are panning for gold with their old prospector friend, Strike, when their father, Matt Coulter, shows up. Jem isn’t as bothered by being caught playing hooky as he is by the shiny star he sees on his father’s chest: the star that identifies him as the first sheriff of Goldtown.
From there, Jem is thrown into a storm of emotions and events that change his world forever. Whether he likes it or not (and he certainly doesn’t like it), his father is the sheriff, a job that almost promises Pa will get shot by some desperate outlaw. Jem and Ellie now have to live up to the reputation of sheriff’s kids, an elevation they don’t want. And their aunt and cousin have come to live with them, bringing from Boston all their inexperience and even more changes.
With her easy style and outstanding quality, Susan K. Marlow follows every twist and turn of Jem’s rapidly-changing life. Will Jem accept Aunt Rose and Nathan’s presence in their home? Will he, Ellie, and Nathan find out why Cripple Creek dried up? And most of all, will Jem ever come to see the honor of his father’s new position as sheriff?
I loved this book because it, too, is honorable. It is among the finest examples of Christian fiction, juvenile or otherwise, that I have ever read: the morals are clear and uplifting, the characters are noble (the bad guys, of course, are not, but they are bad without polluting the book), and the general writing is clean and refreshing. Though this is a series geared for tween boys, boys and girls (of any age!) will love this new book by Susan K. Marlow. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
December 17, 2012
Title: BADGE OF HONOR
Author: Susan K. Marlow
Publisher: Kregel Publications
November 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8254-4294-0
Genre: Young adult/western
Jem Coulter loves prospecting, and even though most of the ones who came for the gold rush are gone, Jem still finds enough specks of gold to keep his dream alive of striking it rich. Most of the miners are now working underground, hoping to find the mother lode. But while Jem dreams of striking it rich, he also sells frog legs and firewood. The first day of Spring, Jem and his sister Ellie skip school and head for the creek for frog legs—and maybe some gold hunting.
The day goes south quickly. Pa marches out to the creek, announces he’s the new sheriff and starts to escort his truant kids back to the school. But on the way, the stage coach arrives, carrying an unknown aunt and cousin. Pa sends Jem back to the ranch for the wagon when he’s summoned away to break up a dangerous fight among miners.
When things get even worse, Jem is convinced that outlaws will use Pa’s badge as target practice—but when Jem is plunged into danger—as well as his sister. Will it convince Jem that it truly is a badge of honor?
BADGE OF HONOR is the first book in Ms. Marlow’s new series Goldtown Adventures. I fell in love with Jem as well as his quick witted, tomboyish sister, and am anxious to read more about their adventures.
Jem is a character that will appeal to boys (since he is a boy) as well as girls, since there’s a sister involved. Written in Jem’s point of view, we see the rough and tumble mining town through the eyes of a twelve-year-old. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for the tweener in your life. $7.99. 144 pages.
Author: Susan K. Marlow
Publisher: Kregel Publications
November 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8254-4294-0
Genre: Young adult/western
Jem Coulter loves prospecting, and even though most of the ones who came for the gold rush are gone, Jem still finds enough specks of gold to keep his dream alive of striking it rich. Most of the miners are now working underground, hoping to find the mother lode. But while Jem dreams of striking it rich, he also sells frog legs and firewood. The first day of Spring, Jem and his sister Ellie skip school and head for the creek for frog legs—and maybe some gold hunting.
The day goes south quickly. Pa marches out to the creek, announces he’s the new sheriff and starts to escort his truant kids back to the school. But on the way, the stage coach arrives, carrying an unknown aunt and cousin. Pa sends Jem back to the ranch for the wagon when he’s summoned away to break up a dangerous fight among miners.
When things get even worse, Jem is convinced that outlaws will use Pa’s badge as target practice—but when Jem is plunged into danger—as well as his sister. Will it convince Jem that it truly is a badge of honor?
BADGE OF HONOR is the first book in Ms. Marlow’s new series Goldtown Adventures. I fell in love with Jem as well as his quick witted, tomboyish sister, and am anxious to read more about their adventures.
Jem is a character that will appeal to boys (since he is a boy) as well as girls, since there’s a sister involved. Written in Jem’s point of view, we see the rough and tumble mining town through the eyes of a twelve-year-old. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for the tweener in your life. $7.99. 144 pages.
April 14, 2014
This is an excellent series for young children. It’s a good length for their short attention spans and I believe the story will catch their interest and not let go.
Reading about a young boy, intent on striking it rich will appeal to children of any age – especially boys.
And it’s so nice to find a good series that’s aimed at young boys. There are plenty of series written with young girls in mind but a clean, decent series that will attract the interest of young boys is hard to come by.
And… even though Jem gets himself into trouble a lot, there is a strong message of what is right weaved into the story line so the book presents both perspectives well.
Reading about a young boy, intent on striking it rich will appeal to children of any age – especially boys.
And it’s so nice to find a good series that’s aimed at young boys. There are plenty of series written with young girls in mind but a clean, decent series that will attract the interest of young boys is hard to come by.
And… even though Jem gets himself into trouble a lot, there is a strong message of what is right weaved into the story line so the book presents both perspectives well.
April 6, 2019
I enjoyed this book ALMOST as much as the Circle C books. The characters in this were fantastic, Susan K Marlow sure knows how to write dimensional characters. I loved the storyline and I just couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read the rest in the Goldtown Adventure series.
(Ps. Even my dogs enjoyed this. I accidentally left my book unattended and when I came back, half the cover was gone along with a few random pages. My dog had the evidence all over.)
(Ps. Even my dogs enjoyed this. I accidentally left my book unattended and when I came back, half the cover was gone along with a few random pages. My dog had the evidence all over.)
March 20, 2024
Badge of Honor is the first book in the Goldtown Adventures series. It is a fun start to the series. Jeremiah “Jem” Coulter is a good main character and his younger sister Ellie is fun too.
This would be a great series for middle grade kids, especially those who love adventure!
This would be a great series for middle grade kids, especially those who love adventure!
February 6, 2025
Audiobook: I was entertained by this first book in the series. My imagination was drawn back into history by the descriptive paragraphs penned by this author, and for a moment life in a gold mining town came to life. I liked Jem and I adored his younger sister, Ellie, who had to try and best her older brother in all his accomplishments. I enjoyed their harrowing adventure, and I applauded their courageous acts as eking out an existence as the gold rush ended was not an easy task. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I enjoyed Jim Hodges' narration as his performance evoked the aura of the times. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews