IZZY MAHLER, age twelve in 1957, lives in an ordinary town with a few magical places—like Patch Pagelkopf’s basement . .

. the Public Library .

. .

and the dark, jungly Bottoms, where golden nuggets lurk in a hidden spring of water. Izzy hopes to be a regular kid, not dismissed as the least of his classmates.

Half his brain teems with schemes to fit in while the other half strives to keep his family together. Mom and Dad, at odds, move through their grim adult world like people from a strange planet.

The Russians make things worse by launching Sputnik, the first artificial satellite. America’s place in Space is usurped and junior spaceman Izzy is forced to cool his heels on planet Earth while his favorite grandpa, the one who taught him to be brave, languishes in a hospital.

Izzy shields his sister, CHRISTINE, from all this bad news because, after all, she’s just a kid. Extra dollars would sure ease the strains, but Izzy’s blood brother COLLUM GUNDERSON has sworn him to secrecy about the gold in the secret spring.

Under the circumstances, how can Izzy keep hope alive? # # #Boys and girls ten and up will identify with Izzy and his friends—steadfast Collum, enchanting Irma Ruger, bullying Lyle Haycock, and the mystifying Mutt-mutt Corner. Their grandparents, who were once kids themselves, will also enjoy this serio-comic trip through the rosy land of the past.

+++++++++++++++++++++Editorial Reviews for Izzy Strikes Gold!A Whimsical Adventure with Heartfelt Lessons. .

. Caught in a web of dilemmas, can Izzy hold on to hope?.

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Through Izzy’s story, Sommers masterfully delves into relevant and complex topics, such as identity crisis, peer pressure, and emotional turmoil in adolescents. .

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A poignant and thought-provoking middle-grade read that offers deep insights into the human experience, the power of resilience, and the importance of relationships and personal growth. —The Prairies Book Review.

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sparkles with possibility, opportunities, and moments that drive Izzy into the adult world of practicality from a child’s world of dreams. .

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strong dialogues [and] a compelling drama that moves between magical play and real-world dilemmas. .

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Izzy Strikes Gold! reveals and defines more kinds of riches than young readers (and many an adult) might initially anticipate. This makes for a delightful journey, indeed.

—Midwest Book Review. .