Kate Shoup 
Life As a Prospector in the California Gold Rush 

People often dream of becoming rich. However, in the mid-1800s, people really could become rich overnight. The California gold rush brought many men to the area. These prospectors searched for gold. Some became lucky, while others lost all of their life savings. This book describes the history of the California gold rush and highlights what life was like for the men, women, and children who lived through the era.