A Forest of Gold is written in diary format from the point of view of twelve-year old Emily who lives in Ontario, Canada in 1927. Canadian history really comes alive under her deft pen as Emily writes about school, her life on the farm and how her brother and father go work in the lumber camps to make up for the lack of farming during the cold winter months.

My daughter said she liked learning about life for a Canadian girl in the 1920s, and was able to relate to some of the situations and feelings Emily experienced. She also liked the history because it reminded her of what she learned at school. When the historical figure Étienne Brûlé is mentioned, my daughter knew he was a French explorer, and we recognized the region of Temiscaming because it borders within our province Quebec. The author effortlessly wove the story around the logging industry and the dilemma of her family when Emily's brother Joe runs off to the lumber camp against his father's wishes. We get to understand the dangers of this industry and the fierce independence of young men in those days.

My daughter and I really enjoyed reading this book together. Emily is a spunky character and her observations are keen and telling. Her father is from England but her mother's family is French Canadian. We really feel the author captured the culture of the era and the people.

Initially, we thought this was going to be an adventure book because of the book cover. Both my daughter and I think it's a great cover but it doesn't really suit the tone of the book. This book is more like the Dear Canada series, which we love reading. We wouldn't be surprised if this author one day enjoys the privilege of writing a book in that series. That says a lot. We look forward to reading more from this new and emerging author!

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