City of Gold

Rich in adventure, history, and humor, an odyssey set in the twilight of the Wild West spun by Will Hobbs

Weeks after arriving in Colorado to start a new farm, the Hollowell family is looking at disaster when fifteen-year-old Owen witnesses the theft of their mules. Learning that Hercules and Peaches will likely be sold to the mines, Owen sets out to track the rustler over the mountains. It’s all Ma can do to hold back little brother Till, who’s more than a handful.

The outlaw’s trail leads to Telluride, the turbulent “City of Gold.” Owen gets help from a resourceful girl named Molly and dubious assistance from Till, who shows up on the train from Durango.

Telluride’s notorious marshal finally takes an interest when he identifies the rustler as one of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch. The lawman leads Owen and Till on horseback into the canyon country and all the way to Robbers Roost.

For readers who love adventure and humor, Will Hobbs delivers a stirring tale of two brothers who risk it all to recover their mules and secure their future.

One boy’s desperate quest. One outlaw from the legendary Wild Bunch.

• Coming of Age Adventure: Fifteen-year-old Owen must track a dangerous thief through the treacherous San Juan Mountains—or watch his family’s dream collapse.
• Historical Fiction for Teens: A meticulously researched tale plunging readers into the turbulent world of Colorado's mining towns, outlaws, and lawmen at the turn of the 20th century.
• Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch: The thief is no ordinary rustler. He’s a member of a legendary outlaw gang, and the trail leads all the way to their infamous hideout at Robbers Roost.
• A Perilous Sibling Dynamic: Owen's serious mission is complicated by his firecracker younger brother, Till, a dime-novel enthusiast who shows up uninvited and ready for a showdown.

"Want a story about the real wild West as only Will Hobbs can tell it? Will knows Colorado, knows the land, knows the people, knows the history, and knows the mules. He also knows about mining for gold, gun-toting sheriffs, and Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch. You can find it all in City of Gold, a non-stop adventure . . . an exciting tale of yesterday, for today." - Newbery Award-winning author, Avi

"Intriguing. Hobbs' use of dialogue and description are masterful. A great piece of historical Western fiction for readers of any age." - Telluride Magazine

"Hobbs weaves a tale that will transport readers back in time and never let them get bored. A Western romp with anchors in history and geography that will leave readers anxious to explore more." - Kirkus Reviews

"Fast-paced, suspenseful chapters will have readers flipping pages. Fans of historical fiction and adventure will find much to love here." - Booklist