THE ROAD FROM NOWHERE

Two young brothers vie to strike it rich in the 1893 Colorado silver mining camp of Gatchett’s Gulch.

Thirteen-year-old Ollie Cleary, younger brother Gus, and their friend Alys Thomas are the only children in their isolated mining settlement, “population forty or so.” Ollie dreams of striking it rich by finding silver and moving far away. The boys’ mother supports them by doing the miners’ laundry and mending; after their father’s death in a mine accident, she’s adamant that her sons not take up mining. One day while the boys and Alys are out exploring, the Clearys’ dog, Poco, disappears into a cave that turns out to be rich in veins of silver. But their hopes are quickly dashed by Mr. Gatchett, the menacing mine owner, who insists he owns all the land and its silver. He threatens to run out of town anyone who dares to mine for silver on their own. The author expertly weaves in historical details, creating a strong sense of time and place. The story explores the complexities of land claims and the significance of a possible repeal of the Sherman Act, which guaranteed that the U.S. government would purchase large quantities of silver. Threats, like an encounter with a rattlesnake and the presence of the controlling, sinister Mr. Gatchett, help sustain the tension. Chapter cliffhangers propel the narrative, leading to a satisfying and unanticipated ending. Characters present white.

A page-turner with a well-realized setting.