I got out my crusty miner costume for San Lorenzo Park’s 2024 49er Days, meeting with six groups of 4th graders. I told them about life beneath canvas while searching for gold and also shared my mostly true bear story about Bill, Terry and Michael. Suffice it to say that Terry always survives the bear’s panicked retreat and did so again — six times! I thank able organizers Julia and Fiona for including me in the event!
I was privileged to participate in this year’s Mission Days, San Antonio de Padua’s spring fiesta. It includes folks in period costume (including me!), wandering musicians, crafts, art and (of course) books for sale. This event took place on Saturday, April 15th in perfect weather. I sat in the mission courtyard for several hours, enjoying sunshine, flowers, and the newly repaired fountain. You’ll notice from the pictures that the author is hard at work! The work was joyful, too, because several of the stories in Joaquin’s Gold are inspired by Mission legends and are set very close by.
Kellee Kranendonk is an accomplished author and fiction editor of Youth Imagination. I’m most pleased with her recent Goodreads review of Joaquin’s Gold. Please allow me to share it!
“In Joaquin’s Gold and Other Tales of Old California, Robert Walton has created a likeable, retired bandit. His soft spoken manner is somewhat how I imagine Robert is himself. Joaquin Murietta has been characterized well, right down to being able to hear his Mexican accent as soon as you start reading the book . . .
Walton uses some lovely descriptive phrases. For example – “Fear squeezed his chest with hands of stone” and the whiskey Joaquin drank had “tongues of sun flame and scorpion stings”. I think that describes a shot of whiskey quite well . . .
Two favourites were La Loca and Black Maggie’s Secret. I won’t give anything away – you’ll just have to read the book – but I think anyone who identifies as a woman will appreciate La Loca . . .
All in all, I think this is a book young and old will enjoy reading, whether they’re from California or not. It’s a quick read – one you could read on your commute to and from work. You’d be finished within a week.”
Wayne Thompson —poet, musician, photographer, mountaineer and friend — commented on Kellee’s review:
“I agree with this review. Amazing book with descriptions that turn light bulbs of clarity on in my imagination.
If you enjoy this book, you will also enjoy Robert’s climbing and mountaineering stories.”
Jayhenge Editors Jessica Augustsson and Kem Hansson shared a Joaquin story of mine in Phantom Thieves & Sagacious Scoundrels, their new, intriguing anthology. “Fantasma Malvado” fits right in and I thank them for including it! Please do take a peek on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQL2F9VZ
WELCOME!I've dedicated my life to literacy and literature for young people. I'm sixty-three and don't intend to change my focus now. I hope that this site will contribute to both! I hope it will be of use to kids, parents and teachers who love to read.
For Kids: I want to know what you think of my story! Writing can be pretty lonely and authors like to hear from readers. Ask me questions about Chaos Gate and I'll do my best to answer them as quickly as I can.
For Parents: I want to know what you think of my story! I'd also like to know how this website can best help you, what activities here are most effective and what you would like to see me include in the future.
For Teachers: I know how hard you folks work. I'm offering you effective, interesting activities to accompany Chaos Gate, whether you're reading it aloud to your class, using it in small groups, or simply have one or two students reading it on their own. I have (or soon will!) comprehension questions, vocabulary activities and word find puzzles in pdf format for every chapter. Check them out and take what suits you best.
Robert's story "Joaquin's Gold" just won the
2010 Art Affair Western Short Story Contest. The story brings legendary bandit Joaquin Murrieta back to Central California during the 1880's in a search for hidden treasure. Robert hopes to produce a book including all of his Joaquin Murrieta stories. Stay tuned.
Author • Educator • Mountaineer 
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