THE LAST GOLD DIGGERS

Originally published in Great Britain, this chapter book’s U.S. version retains an endearing British charm, which should easily translate and entertain this side of the pond. Similar to Horse’s other tales about Grandfather, a lovable codger, he has, at 79, launched another adventure. This time Grandfather heads to Australia in pursuit of his older brother Vincent, who Grandfather believes is too old for gold mining in the Outback. Grandfather ventures forth with his tracker dog, Roo, who, as more diva than dog, adds an outlandish and enjoyable dimension. Written as a series of short letters and journal entries to a grandchild that is never named or classified as male or female, this text is accessible for all early chapter-book readers, especially as simple black-and-white illustrations on nearly every page break up blocks of text. Silly fun. (Fiction. 7-10)