Goldtown Adventures
Gold Pans, Gumption, and Growing Up Fast. It’s 1864. The California gold rush is over, but there is still pleny of adventure for 12-year-old Jem, his sister, Ellie, and their cousin Nathan. Solid middle-grade fiction for boys (and girls) ages 9-13. Add study guides and lapbooks for a year’s worth of educational fun. 🔎 Click on the book covers to read sample chapters.
Twelve-year-old Jem Coulter and his sister Ellie’s live are turned upside down when their father becomes sheriff of lawless Goldtown, California, in 1864.
When the Midas mine plays out, Goldtown may become a ghost town. Jem will do anything to find a way to help save the mine. But is his friend Will’s plan too risky?
As “man of the family” for the week, Jem must figure out what happened to their family’s stolen horse and rifle before his father returns home to Goldtown.
A trip to Sacramento turns dangerous when Jem tries to help his father keep gold bound for the Union from falling into the hands of Confederate sympathizers.
To raise money for Cousin Nathan’s operation, Jem, Ellie, and Strike-it-rich Sam head for the high Sierra to find and recover the gold they lost five years ago on a previous prospecting trip.
To raise money for Cousin Nathan’s operation, Jem, Ellie, and Strike-it-rich Sam head for the high Sierra to find and recover the gold they lost five years ago on a previous prospecting trip.
Meet the Goldtown Characters
Jem Coulter
A determined twelve‑year‑old who tackles gold‑camp dangers with grit and a growing sense of responsibility. Is unsure about his father’s new role as sheriff.
Ellie Coulter
A spirited ten‑year‑old whose chatter and curiosity keep Jem on his toes in the bustling gold town. Can pretty much keep up with anything he does.
Sheriff Matt Coulter
The steady, fair‑minded sheriff who keeps order in Goldtown and tries to keep Jem and Ellie out of trouble, all the while running a small ranch too.
Strike-it-rich Sam
A seasoned prospector whose tall tales and gold‑camp wisdom guide Jem through every twist of frontier life. He has not yet lived up to his “strike it rich” name.
Nathan Tyson
A refined Boston cousin learning to survive the dust and danger of Goldtown. He earns his way by showing grit and a willingness not to give up.
Aunt Rose Tyson
Matt’s older sister, a proper Boston lady struggling to adjust to the rough‑and‑tumble gold camp she never expected to call home.
Will Sterling
A wealthy mine owner’s son whose pride and privilege often put him at odds with Jem. Ellie and Jem have nicknamed Will the “weasel.”
Wu Shen
A hardworking Chinese boy who helps in his family’s laundry and at their poorly producing claim. The victim of prejudice from the town’s kid bullies.
What Readers Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have five sons. They aren’t big readers, but they can’t get enough of the books in this series! Each chapter ends in a suspenseful moment and leaves them begging for more. Very well written with exciting storylines and good morals. –Christy P.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Having books safe for my kids to read is important to me. The kids have a hard time putting them down. That’s a huge plus for me. These books are full of adventure and excitement and Christian values. It is nice to see/read the main character in these books turning to God in times of trouble without making the whole book a sermon. –Vickie
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our family LOVES the Goldtown Adventures! The books are excellent….well written, exciting and wholesome! All of my kids love everything Susan K. Marlow writes and were so excited for the new books! -Zoltan Holubecz
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Roasted rattlesnakes! Have you been confounded in your search for an adventure-filled, wholesome stories for tweens? That’s a tall order these days. And if you hope to find one with a bent towards boys, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. Author Susan K. Marlow comes to the rescue with her new series for boys–just in time for Christmas! -WriteFitz