Down the Yukon: A Thrilling Adventure About the Alaska Gold Rush Race for Kids

Jason's Gold #2

by Will Hobbs

As Dawson City goes up in flames, Jason Hawthorn itches to join the new rush for gold in Nome, 1,700 miles away. He and his brothers have been cheated out of their sawmill, so when a $20,000 prize is announced for the winner of a race to Nome, Jason enters. His partner in the canoe is Jamie Dunavant, the adventurous girl he loves. Will they make it to the finish line, despite the hazards of the Yukon River, two dangerous rivals, and the terrors of the open sea?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult, Fiction, Survival, Action, Juvenile

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

WILL HOBBS is the author of seventeen novels for upper elementary, middle school and young adult readers, as well as two picture book stories. Seven of his novels, Bearstone, Downriver, The Big Wander, Beardance, Far North, The Maze, and Jason's Gold, were named Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. ALA also named Far North and Downriver to their list of the 100 Best Young Adult Books of the Twentieth Centrury. Ghost Canoe received the Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1998 for Best Young Adult Mystery.

In outdoor stories that appeal to both boys and girls, Hobbs has readers discovering wild places, sharing adventures with people from varied backgrounds, and exploring how to make important choices in their own lives. A graduate of Stanford University and former reading and language arts teacher, Will has been a full-time writer since 1990. He lives with his wife, Jean, in Durango, Colorado.

Will's books have won many other awards, including the California Young Reader Medal, the Western Writers of America Spur Award, the Mountains and Plains Booksellers Award, the Colorado Book Award, and nominations to state award lists in over thirty states.

Reviews

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, lots of action and kept it interesting. Felt like I was on the river with them

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

We also listened to this one on audio. I didn't care for this one as much as the first. It wasn't as high of drama and action, but we all still enjoyed it. The descriptions of Alaska were fantastic. I especially loved the author's notes in both books about what parts were historically accurate.

[Coty Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book I am reading is called DOWN THE YUKON by Will Hobbs. The reason I picked the book is because it looked easy to read and I have also read some of Will Hobbs's other books. The setting of the book takes place in Alaska, where these two friends get lost in the middle of nowhere and struggle to get home. The characters names are Jason Hawthorn and Jamie Dunavant they've been friends since they can remember.
The plot of the story is that Jason Hawthorn wants to go to Alaska and look for his Gold and he is talking his friend into going with him and they get a canoe and they start looking. The Conflict of the story is when they get lost and they don't know how to get out. So they try to find the nearest town but they cant and now they are having trouble with everything.
I thought the book ending was good, not the best but it was a good ending. I didn't really have a favorite quote or part because I didn't really want to look and remember the quote and stuff.
My personal opinion of the book is that I liked it and I would read more of Will Hobbs books if I can. If your a reader that likes suspence and treasure hunting books then you will like these books.

[Sebastian Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will Hobbs put into perspective what two people went through in search of gold in the Late 1800s - Early 1900s. The book felt like I was reading a biography about someone in that time, but I was the person in that time, if you know what I mean. My opinion on the book has not changed from when I finished it, the book is very mild, all of the time I was reading it, it felt more like a chore more than something I can enjoy. Thank You For Reading My Review.

By Sebastian Scott

[SFrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the sequel to Jason's Gold, Hobb's continues a well written saga: a thirst for gold in the Klondike. This time its "Nome or bust". I always appreciate the accompanying map and his Author's Note which includes historical or literary references.

[Libby May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hobbs did it again! He really did a good job with this sequel to Jason's Gold. Again, beautifully written, beautifully portrayed, and a really good usage of words to draw you in. Would definitely read this book again.

[Evan Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. The attention to detail made it feel as if I were in the canoe paddling down the Yukon with them, very exciting and intriguing.

[Thequaminator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick paced adventure story. Good reading for teen and preteen boys. A little unrealistic. Good ending.

[Hanna Grubb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story started of a little slow but by the middle of the book is didn’t want to put it down.

[Levi Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book! I have listened to it on an audiobook a couple of times.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty great read-aloud

[Joel Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. What an adventure. Author is really great at immersing the reader into every aspect and detail.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked it

[1Grose B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Down the Yukon is a novel by Will Hobbs. It follows the story of a boy named Jason and his brothers who are living in Dawson City. They have a family sawmill called Hawthorn Brothers Sawmill that they own together, where they work to make a living. Then one day the brothers were out at a restaurant eating, they are just having a regular nice time until they notice a man who is kicking a dog, so then Ethan, who is the oldest brother, tells the man not to kick the dog. They begin to get into a fight themselves until somebody in the place shouts to Ethan not to fight the man, because the guy he was fighting ended up being ex boxer named Sydney Mauler. Out of no where someone suggests they should have a boxing match, and they decide to have one 2 weeks later. Ethan beats Mauler and gets a lot of publicity and becomes somewhat famous, especially around his local town. He stopped working at the mill and started to drink and gamble a lot. He would win a lot in the beginning but eventually hit a bad spell where he started to lose, a lot, and everyday he lost more and more until he was broke. Then a lawyer took their mill because he tricked Ethan into signing the mill away when he was drunk, so the mill was gone, even though the contract would technically be void because it is illegal for someone to sign a contract when they are under the influence. Jason's friend of the past Jamie Dunavant ends up returning to Dawson City and they begin to hang out again and start to date. Jason told her he was going to Nome for to make money to buy the mill back. Jamie then found a contest. It was a race to Nome for two people and $20,000 the prize. It would be able to buy the mill back. Will they be able to get the saw mill back?

Down the Yukon is a very different book than I've read before, I don't think it's very action driven. I usually prefer books with a lot going on and a lot of action, that being said this book was not my favorite, but is definitely a good book none the less, and something I would suggest to a very casual reader.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Nick Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down The Yukon By Will Hobbs. The book Down the Yukon written by Will Hobbs is a book that I enjoyed reading.The book Down the Yukon begins by a male and a female that enter a race on a canoe to win a $2000.00 dollar cash prize. But they keep getting side tracked by other problems on their way down the yukon. The overall lesson the author wants the reader to take from this book is that two friends entered a race down a river in a canoe for a $2000.00 dollar grand prize. The people in front of the two kid's in the canoe kept taking breaks over the night or else they wouldn't know where they were going at dark. So the two kids in the canoe had to keep going just to catch up to the others so they weren't so far behind. The kids are going to use the money if they win to go and help their family out at the Indian Reservation. What i especially liked about the book is how the author put a lot of detail in the book. The enthuiasum was outstanding, it was almost seemed like the author was reading the book straight to me. Overall the book Down the Yukon by Will Hobbs is a book i would recommend because if you are a person that likes to read book's like outdoors or any adventurous books this is the right book for you.

[Dakota Clark]

Down the Yukon is a novel about a young man named Jason who needs to win a race on the Yukon river to get back his sawmill that his btother gambled away. Along the way, Jamie Dunavant, who he loves, joins him and they face many obstacles on their journey to Nome. I, personally, was a fan of this book because I have always loved anything that has to do with the outdoors. Down the Yukon also contained a lot of action to keep the reader interested. The author could have had more round characters to get the reader more connected. Hobbs used a lot of imagery while they were meeting their obstacles to make me feel like I was there. He also used personification while describing the river. The theme Hobbs was trying to tell the reader is that you have to work for what you get. This book would peak the interest of anyone who loves the outdoors and action.

[Kaitlin]

My book, Down the Yukon, by Will Hobbs is about two young adults, Jason and Jamie, who enter a canoe race down the Yukon all the way to Nome, Alaska. It is a story about what they went through, their trials and finally their triumphs. This book is a parallel culture book that includes Canadian Americans and many more. The setting was up in the Klondike. The author was very descriptive in all five senses. It felt like I was in the canoe with them. The characters the author chose fit well with the event that was transpiring. The author clearly depicted the writing style of this book in whose point-of-view it was in. It was clearly written and easy to follow. This book is for anyone who wants an outdoor adventure.

[Derik LeCaptain]

Down the Yukon is a very exciting book taking place during the end of the Klondike and Yukon gold rushes in the late 1800's. The story is about Jason Hawlthorn a young boy who is caught up in the life of becoming a millionaire gold miner in the vast north. Soon though word spreads about another gold rush in the town of Nome. Nome is right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and is crawling with gold everywhere from the Nome harbor to all of the small creeks and streams around it. Jason eventually gets to Nome althought he has some run ins along the way. This book paints a clear picture of what life was like in the frozen north of Alaska. I highly recommend this book for someone seeking an action packed book with much history in it.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason Hawthorn is a young man who lives in Dawson City, Canada. When his three brothers who he owns a saw mill with end up losing it Jason wants to buy it back. So he and his girlfriend find out about Nome, Alaska where gold is being found and they decide to go and stake some land for themselves. They end up in a large race with hundreds of other boaters and canoers to race to Nome. I found this book absoulutely amazing because its really adventerous and fun to see what happens. It is indeed another one of Will Hobbs' great books which I all love.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that it would get at least a four star because how the author described they book. EX. When the building went on fire he said all you can see is the thick dense black smoke for miles away. When they were in the fire all you could hear is they popping of the wood, seeing the planks fall around you. All you could see was nothing cause the smoke was really dense. IS that good descriptive or what to me that is. I would recommend it to the people who like to read survival because they were living on the woods for a little bit there at the end of the story.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jason’s brother makes an enemy of a con man who eventually tricks him into signing over the boys’ sawmill. Jason and his true love, Jamie Dunavant, see a chance to buy it back with Jason’s share of the $20,000 prize for winning a race from Dawson City to Nome, 1700 miles away. Lots of adventure will keep reluctant readers on track in this novel laced liberally with historical detail about the Yukon gold rushes at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th Century. Positive.

[Mara N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this is a really good book so far because even when Jason and Jamie get stuck on an island they dont give up hope. Jason has to stay up for 24 hours straight and he gets really really tired but he never gives up. Jamie has to deal with her dad's death and the fact he lost all the money she earned. They end up finishing the race in first place and get married.

[Dotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason and Jamie have both been swindled and decide to enter a race from Dawson City to Nome and hope to win $20,000. Along the way they must contend with danger from the river, animals and man.

As a sequel to Jason’s Gold this can stand alone but there is evidence of the previous book as the reader is brought up to speed. It wasn’t too annoying and actually made me want to read the first book.

[Leeann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Jason's Gold, Down the Yukon is high adventure. This sequel comes complete with a villain who eventually gets what is coming to him, an endearing little dog, and a satisfying romance. All this set in the untamed Klondike and Alaskan interior during the historic gold rush era. After meeting Jason Hawthorn in the first book I enjoyed following him into adulthood.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like the book Down The Yukon that much. It was a good book but it didn't really get into detail's to good. Also, I sort of got bored when i was reading it sometimes. I would recommend to people if they like long adventure story's. I liked what happened and how the author explained things but it was boring at times.

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun YA adventure book. On 9 yob's shelf--but would recommend it to an older YA audience because of the "romance." An unmarried couple, 16 yob & 15 yog race from Klondike to Nome, Alaska to claim a prize and win back family property. Told my boy to pass on this one.

[Levi K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was very action packed. There was always something going on. They did talk about gold mining. They brought up south Dakota. The characters were very likable. The book though was kind of on and off topic with things. There were some very exciting things and some downer as well.

[Mike Concilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the book, it was so interesting. It had a huge race and criminals and it even had a dog who would do anything its owner needed. Another reason I liked this book was that it had a great plot and was full of action

[Mj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Jason's Gold. It's awesome and highly recommended!