Itzik: or a Tale of Troubles, Secrets & Adventures in Panama, ‘Frisco and a Rough & Tumble Mining Camp.

Itzik: or a Tale of Troubles, Secrets & Adventures in Panama, ‘Frisco and a Rough & Tumble Mining Camp.

In this high-stakes historical adventure, a boy’s risky promise sends him on a dangerous journey that threatens his survival and exposes cracks in the family he’s desperate to hold together — perfect for fans of I Survived and The War That Saved My Life . When thirteen-year-old Itzik discovers that his father has lost his job and his family is on the brink of eviction, he makes a risky deal he believes will fix everything. That deal pulls him and his family across the stormy Atlantic, through the fever-ridden jungles of Panama, and into the lawless towns and mining camps of Gold Rush–era California, where danger is constant. As they encounter obstacles and disasters, Itzik is forced to rely on his own courage and judgment while trying to hold his family together. Along the way, he faces betrayal, loss, and the growing weight of the secrets he’s keeping — secrets that begin to strain the very bonds he’s trying to protect. With every step forward, Itzik must confront the cost of trying to fix everything himself. A gripping work of middle-grade historical fiction, Itzik blends high-stakes adventure with an emotionally rich story of family, responsibility, and identity, perfect for readers who love immersive journeys and characters who grow under pressure.