"Left to their own devices, little girls are in no ways helpless...Emma Snow is a fine read that many younger readers will relish." --The Midwest Book Review

"...in turn charming, frightening, funny, and inspiring. A learning experience without ever being dull...." —Solange Prince (High School Librarian, CA)

"...I did not want this story to end. I look forward to reading more Emma. What a great character!"
—Emily Rice (Older Person, NV)

"...We get a good look at the side less told of the gold rush. I loved the book with its cheeky heroine and her clever little brother and its neat way of providing history. I like nasty villains and people who cope. I like the way that the Balona authors usually portray young people: Responsible. Human. Resourceful. And with respect. They are actually portrayed as having some sense. It is also always fun to run across the ancestors of characters I have met in other Balona books. This book is for teens, or anyone who has ever been a teen. If you have not read other Balona Books, check them out. And need I say, all's well that ends well, even if there is a lot of mayhem, in between." --Laurabelle McCaffery (IN)

"...lots of hard words and surprising amount of dead bodies showing up in a book written by a girl...but they mostly deserved it...." —Frank Elmore (High School Sophomore CA)

"...I thought Thomas was pretty cute, but Emma always got her own way...." —Elaine Elissa Compton (Seventh Grader, CA)

"...the voice of Emma is almost perfect for her age and time, with just the right touch of naivete...Great 'local color,' especially fun as seen through the eyes of the two kids. The book does what I like historical fiction to do: motivate me to learn more about the period and places.... "
—Kenneth R. Class, Teacher, Artist (CA)

"...I wish my little brother was as decent and respectful to me as Thomas is to Emma…This is a great story.”
—Delezia Evans, HS Student (CA)

“I suppose some people will complain about characters in the story referring to Native Americans as ‘redskins’ and ‘Indians,’ but the rejection of 'Political Correctness' lends authenticity to the dialog....”
—Alfred Cobb, Professor of History (CA)

“The characters are well-drawn, believable...The story is realistic and convincing... the details are accurate....” —Hank Evans, HS History Teacher (NV)

“Even with the scary and bloody parts, I didn’t want the story to end. I hope they write about Emma some more....” —Anne Sawyer, Eighth-Grade Student (CA)

“…The violence may put off some people looking for cheerful little birthday books, but the incidents are handled as gracefully as possible. Very well written... challenging vocabulary, but the story is hard to put down....” —M. N. Shapely, HS Librarian (AZ)

“…Mother exhibits some symptoms of what is now known as bipolar disorder, a condition that may have profound effects on children of parents so afflicted....” —Hugh McAvoy, M.D. (CA)

"...these are hard times for librarians and teachers who want to buy books, but I think that Emma Snow is going to do well. She has history, an exciting story to tell, good writing going for her." —Andrew Fogle, Educator Retiree (CA)