Oranges on Golden Mountain

Author: Elizabeth Partridge

When the ponds and streams dry up and the crops shrivel and die, Jo Lee's mother uses the coins she had hidden to send him to fish with Fourth Uncle on faraway Golden Mountain - California. Knowing he will be homesick, his mother cuts a dozen small branches from her orange trees for him to plant on his new land. After years of tender care and difficult work, the orange branches (and Jo Lee) flourish and it is time to bring his family to join him. Oranges on Golden Mountain reflects the experiences of the many Chinese immigrants who flocked to "Gum Shan" or Golden Mountain, their name for California, during the gold rush of the 1850's. Teachers will appreciate the historical information and web links offered by the author in the afterword.

Oranges on Golden Mountain

Year Released: 2001

Grades 1-4