Collins Stake a Claim!: and the California gold rush Claim! a a teenage history buff to do? Join the a teenage history buff to do? Join the scramble to strike it rich, of course! From Flux back to the California gold rush, what’s Flux back to the California gold rush, what’s meeting John Sutter to panning for gold, Nick When a spontaneous time leap sends Nickolas When a spontaneous time leap sends Nickolas must survive one of the most pivotal events must survive one of the most pivotal events Stake of American westward expansion. 50795 7 551487 978-1-4765-5148- 781476 RL: 3-4 IL: 3-9 • $7.95 US $8.95 CAN $7.95 RL: 3-4 IL: 3-9 • ISBN 9
M Imagine if youM had the po er of unpredictable time travel. ould it be a blessing or a curse?
That’s the question 15-year-old Nickolas Flux ponders every day of his life.
His first time leap surprised him during science lab.
Record the ice block’s properties.
One minute he tapped a chunk of ice ... F Z Oh, no! Z Z Z TAP TAP! T ... the next he was eye to ! eye with a giant iceberg! For a history buff like Nick, experiencing the sinking of the Titanic was thrilling.
I can’t believe this is happening!
Luckily, his adventure ended ... FZZZZT!
... as quickly as it began. I’m alive?!
Since then, Nick has discovered he has a knack for landing in history’s tightest spots. AHHHHGH!
Time to practice.
It’s anyone’s guess where he will end up next. The question is, Can he survive it?
by Terry Collins Illustrated by Dante Ginevra
Consultant: Richard Bell, PhD Associate Professor of History University of Maryland, College Park
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™ Graphic Library is published by Capstone Press, 1710 Roe Crest Drive, North Mankato, Minnesota 56003 www.capstonepub.com
Copyright © 2014 by Capstone Press, a Capstone imprint. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Collins, Terry (Terry Lee) Stake a claim! : Nickolas Flux and the California Gold Rush / by Terry Collins ; illustrated by Dante Ginevra. pages cm.—(Graphic library. Nickolas Flux history chronicles) Summary: “In graphic novel format, follows the adventures of Nickolas Flux as he travels back in time and must survive the California gold rush”— Provided by publisher. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4765-3944-7 (library binding) ISBN 978-1-4765-5148-7 (paperback) ISBN 978-1-4765-6005-2 (eBook PDF) 1. California—Gold discoveries—Juvenile literature. 2. California— History—1846–1850—Juvenile literature. 3. Frontier and pioneer life— California—Juvenile literature. 4. California—Gold discoveries—Comic books, strips, etc. 5. California—History—1846–1850—Comic books, strips, etc. 6. Frontier and pioneer life—California—Comic books, strips, etc. I. Ginevra, Dante, 1976– illustrator. II. Title. F865.C65 2014 979.4’03—dc23 2013028002
Photo Credits: Design Elements: Shutterstock (backgrounds)
Editor’s note: Direct quotations, noted in red type, appear on the following pages: Page 11, from Gold Dust and Gunsmoke: Tales of Gold Rush Outlaws, Gunfighters, Lawmen, and Vigilantes by John Boessenecker (New York: John Wiley, 1999).
Page 13, from Volunteer Forty-Niners: Tennesseans and the California Gold Rush by Walter T. Durham (Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 1997). Editor Christopher L. Harbo Designer Ashlee Suker Art Director Nathan Gassman
PrintedProduction in the United Specialist States of America in KathyXXXXXX McColley 00XXXXXX
Printed in the United States of America in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. 092013 007767WZS14 Table of TableContents of Contents 4 Introducing ...... Chapter ONE 6 A golden glow...... Chapter Two 8 Go West, Young Flux...... Chapter Three 14 Hanging with the 49ers...... Chapter four 22 Jumped! ...... Chapter five 28 back to class ...... 30 Flux FIles...... 32 GLOSSARY...... 33 READ MORE...... 33 INTERNET SITES...... 34 index...... Introducing ...
Nickolas Flux
Captain john sutter the 49ers
claim jumpers Chapter ONE A golden glow Sparta Hills High School, Mr. Bigley’s art class
What are you working on, Mr. Flux?
No, no, Nick. That A sunset, sir. won’t do at all.
To capture a meadow at sunset, you’ll need brighter colors.
Would a touch of gold paint in the sky help? 6 It certainly couldn’t hurt. Just remember, a small amount of gold should do the trick.
Yes, Mr. Bigley. One glowing golden sunset coming right—
FZZZZT!
Nick? Are you listening—
Now, where did that boy go?
7 Chapter Two Go West, Young Flux 1849: Coloma, California
Aw, man. Where did I end Marvelous. Another up this time? uninvited treasure hunter on my land.
I say there, son, are you sleeping or dead?
Well, you’re wasting your time, young man.
Wait a second, sir.
I did, not that anyone My name’s Nickolas Flux. listens to me anymore. Did you say something I’m Captain John Sutter. about treasure? This is private property, and you’re trespassing.
Now, go away. 8 If you’re John Sutter, then that’s the American River, and this must be Sutter’s Mill.
Right you are, my boy.
Golden sunsets, gold paint, and now the spot where gold was discovered.
I’ve traveled back to the California gold rush!
FLUx fact Captain John Sutter planned on building a community to be called New Switzerland. The sawmill was needed for lumber to create the new town. 9 Captain Sutter, wait for me. I’m not looking for gold. Well, that explains your strange clothing. You’re the most unprepared miner I’ve seen yet.
Actually, I’m a … um … a My readers want to newspaper reporter from know about getting back East. rich quick with California gold.
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