<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>The story of California is the story of dreamers—explorers, gold miners, immigrants, ranchers, moviemakers, farmers, and everyday Americans who headed west for a fresh start. The first native inhabitants arrived 9,000 years ago, ancestors of the tribes who would greet the Spanish in the 1700s. Father Junípero Serra later established a chain of missions along the coast, expanding European and Mexican influence. But when gold was discovered in 1848, the rush was on, and two short years later California became a state. After the gold ran out, other rushes followed, from agriculture to industry, Hollywood to Silicon Valley.</P><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>            <I>California History for Kids</I> includes a time line of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and Web resources for further study. And to get a better idea of the scope of California history and the lives of its citizens, readers can:</P><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in" class=MsoNormal>* create a <B>Chumash rock painting</B></P><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in" class=MsoNormal>* play the Miwok <B>Hoop-and-Pole</B> game</P><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in" class=MsoNormal>* bake and eat <B>hardtack</B> like a gold miner</P><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in" class=MsoNormal>* design a <B>cattle brand</B></P><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in" class=MsoNormal>* decode a <B>railroad cipher</B></P><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in" class=MsoNormal>* immortalize their <B>handprints</B> in plaster</p><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in" class=MsoNormal>* assemble an <B>earthquake preparedness kit</B></P><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in" class=MsoNormal>* and more</P><P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>            Author Katy Duffield tells the rich story of the men and women who, despite challenges and occasional hardships, settled and built the vibrant cities and bountiful farms, ranches, and orchards of the Golden State.<DIV><DIV> </DIV></DIV>