Dragon's Gate Book By Laurence Yep

‘In rural China in 1865, 14-year-old Otter eagerly sails to California to join his father and legendary uncle on the transcontinental railroad. On a freezing, snow-filled mountain in the Sierras, Otter begins his harrowing journey toward self-knowledge. An engaging survival-adventure story, a social history, a heroic quest.’—BL. ‘Told with humanity and compassion… a tribute to the survival and courage of these immigrants.’—1994 Newbery Committee.

1994 Newbery Honor Book
Notable Children's Books of 1994 (ALA)
1994 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
1993 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)
1994 John and Patricia Beatty Award (California Library Association)
1994 Silver Medal for Literature (Commonwealth Club of America)