Lisa, Book 2: The Trail to Colgen Cariboo

Susan Merskey is freelance writer in London, Ontario.

Our Canadian Girl is a series of books featuring smart, spirited, and
courageous girls from different places and times in Canadian history.
Overland to Cariboo, Priscilla Galloway’s first book about the travels
of Lisa and her family, took them from Fort Garry as far as Kamloops.
The Trail to Golden Cariboo completes Lisa’s journey.

With a new baby to take care of, Lisa’s parents are content to stay
put, but Lisa can’t believe that they want to remain in Kamloops and
give up the chance to find gold. What’s more, by the early months of
1863 she is bored and ready for more adventure.

A letter from Archie, her newly married cousin, presents her with an
opportunity she can’t refuse. In the spring of 1863, she travels to
Cariboo with Archie and his wife, ostensibly as the latter’s
companion. But Lisa is not to be deterred from her hunt for gold, and
ultimately she finds enough for the whole family.

The Trail to Golden Cariboo is well told and moves swiftly. Set in the
period before either the railway or road connections to the West were
completed, the book describes conditions that were often primitive.
Galloway neither minimizes nor overstates the hardships. She has clearly
consulted many historical documents in her quest for authenticity;
interestingly, some of the key documents were written by a woman who
taught the author in Victoria in the 1930s.

The Our Canadian Girl series is recommended for 8– to 12-year-olds,
but a competent younger reader would also enjoy the books. Highly
recommended.