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Hard Gold (I Witness): The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Avi Play Audiobook Sample

Hard Gold (I Witness): The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West Audiobook (Unabridged)

By: Avi
Hard Gold (I Witness): The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Avi Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Alston Brown Publisher: AudioGO Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 2.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2012 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:
3.05240601503759 out of 53.05240601503759 out of 53.05240601503759 out of 53.05240601503759 out of 53.05240601503759 out of 5 (3.05) - 133 listener ratings
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Publisher Description

Early Whitcomb's family needs a miracle. Their Iowa farm has been in the family for generations, but a long drought has withered their savings and left them in debt - and in danger of foreclosure. Early's uncle, Jesse, thinks he has the solution: to head West and dig for gold. Fueled by reports of prospectors striking it rich in the Rocky Mountains, Jesse can't think about anything but gold. Early is wild to go with him, as much for the adventure as for the gold. But the journey costs money - more than the boys can afford - and when Jesse flees during the night, after being accused of a robbery, Early doesn't know what to believe. Then Jesse sends an electrifying message - that he has found gold, but his life is in danger - and Early knows he must do whatever it takes to find him. The journey is dangerous and full of hardships, and the closer the travelers get to their destination, the more ruined lives they encounter - lives consumed by the hunt for gold. Then to his horror, Early learns that Jesse has been accused of another, much bigger crime. Somehow, Early must get to him without leading Jesse's pursuers right to his door. And even if he succeeds, Early will still have to make the hardest choice of his life.

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"Early leaves the only home he's ever known in Iowa to follow his uncle Jesse who left in search of gold in Colorado save the family farm. On his journey he has to escape death, keep his secret, and plan how he's going to find Jesse...all while working on a wagon train and surviving on the trail."

— Librarygarden (4 out of 5 stars)

Hard Gold (I Witness): The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West (Unabridged) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.375 out of 53.375 out of 53.375 out of 53.375 out of 53.375 out of 5 (3.38)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 6
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 2
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Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " good Avi, not great Avi. "

    — Jim, 12/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This was a REALLY bad book. I don't recommend it. It was for a book report "

    — Megan, 11/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not my favorite AVI book, but it had some good elements (illustrations and glossary). "

    — Janet, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Even though written for a YA audience, I found this book most enjoyable. Easy to read with interesting characters and descriptions. "

    — Karen, 11/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Avi's contribution to the "I Witness" series written in journal form. "

    — Betsy, 9/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " it was a amazing book it has lots of true facts about the colorado gold rush amazing "

    — Matthew, 9/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a nice quick read about a young boy who runs away from home to help his best friend/uncle. I really enjoyed the story and how Avi weaved the facts into it seamlessly. "

    — Betsy, 8/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Quick, researched story about traveling to gold fields in Colorado. "

    — Mckinley, 8/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This book was ok, but I think I would have been bored by it as a kid. "

    — Somer, 6/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Early ends up headed for gold digging area looking for his uncle. Instead he finds an unlikely friend & has some adventures. Rich with text features & clever quick story line makes it a nice read! "

    — Briana, 4/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Early Whitcomb heads to Colorado to find his Uncle Jesse who left several months earlier to strike it rich. Good historical fiction for young readers. "

    — Megan, 3/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Thank you Rita for this awesome book. I really love it so far. "

    — Chloe, 3/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Interesting. Learned something. Recommend. "

    — Caren, 3/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " An educational and interesting account of the hopeful pioneers and the crazy gold-rush adventures. Leaves me wondering what kind of pioneer would I make... "

    — Emily, 3/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Ending wrapped up a little to quick, but it was interesting. I think my 9 y/o would like it. "

    — Audra, 1/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " You are there each day as fourteen-year-old Early Wittcomb joins a wagon train headed to Colorado where his young uncle has found gold. The gold will help pay the mortgage on the family's Iowa farm. The primary sources, maps, and photographs make this time period come alive. "

    — Mary, 1/9/2013

About Avi

Avi is the author of more than fifty books for children and young adults, including the 2003 Newbery medal winner Crispin: The Cross of Lead. Along with his two Newbery Honors, he has won many other awards for his fiction. He lives with his family in Denver.

About Alston Brown

Alston Brown is an actor and writer, currently enrolled as an MFA candidate in the Brown University / Trinity Repertory Company’s acting program. He has worked extensively in theater in New York and regionally, including workshops of the Broadway play Next Fall and at the Sundance Institute, and appeared in the film Observe and Report. Alston lives in Providence, Rhode Island.