Bøger af Neta Jackson

THE THIEVES OF TYBURN SQUARE, Introducing Elizabeth Fry -- Betsey and Loren Maxwell are on their own in early nineteenth-century England after their mother is deported to New South Wales for stealing two silver candlesticks. Faced with few options, the young Maxwells are forced to live and work in a gloomy London workhouse. Betsey and her brother have a terrible time enduring the harsh treatment and strict rules of the workhouse overseers. Then Loren sees an opportunity to escape, and the pair soon find themselves back on the dangerous streets of London-with only a stolen pouch of money to support them. Their new life takes a disastrous turn when Betsey and Loren are jailed for pickpocketing in Tyburn Square. Betsey is terrified that she'll never see her brother or mother again, but a visit from a kind Quaker woman named Elizabeth Fry gives her courage. Can this compassionate prison reformer save Betsey and her brother from the gallows in Tyburn Square? Alone and in prison with no one to turn to . . .

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH, Introducing William Seymour -- Jerry Newman doesn't mean to keep getting into trouble-it just sort of happens. But when a practical joke goes wrong, burning down a church in his small east Texas town, Jerry's widowed mother quickly sends him to live with his journalist uncle in Los Angeles. Jerry is secretly pleased-not only to avoid being punished for his crime but also to live in California . . . the end of the earth! On the night before the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Jerry and his uncle go to investigate a popular warehouse church in Los Angeles. There, they hear a man predict the coming quake. But Jerry is even more impressed by the powerful preacher, William Seymour, and by the hundreds of blacks and whites worshiping and praying together in strange "tongues." Jerry wants to believe Seymour's message, but will he do so when it means confessing his dangerous secret? A simple message that shakes the world ...

THE FORTY-ACRE SWINDLE, Introducing George Washington Carver -- To fourteen-year-old Jesse Turner, being "free" in Alabama in 1898 doesn't seem much better than slavery. The Turners' forty-acre farm-given to them by the government following the Civil War-is exhausted from growing cotton, they face overwhelming debt, and trouble from prejudiced neighbors makes life difficult and frightening. It seems the only solution is to sell the land and begin sharecropping. But they find new hope in the teachings of George Washington Carver, a Christian agriculturist who travels the South helping fellow blacks with new farming techniques. Inspired by Carver's advice to "hang on to the land at all costs," Jesse takes a part-time job, and he and his father plant a promising crop of soybeans. But as the Turners race to meet the deadline for repaying their debts, they run into a host of new problems. And when the levee suspiciously bursts one night and floods their land, can Jesse find a way to save the family farm? Someone pulled along from the levee. But who?

HOSTAGE ON THE NIGHTHAWK, Introducing William Penn -- After weeks of waiting, thirteen-year-old Theodore Story finally spots the billowing sails of the Canterbury, the ship returning Governor William Penn, a close friend of Theo's family, to Philadelphia. During the governor's fifteen-year absence, such wild pirates as Captain Kidd have corrupted the "city of brotherly love." Maybe now things will get back to normal, Theo silently hopes. Shortly after the governor settles in, however, Theo's grandfather dies, and Theo, his mother, and his sister set sail for England. When several members of their ship's crew contract yellow fever, the family desperately hails a passing vessel and transfers over. But something's not right about this new ship and its ragtag crew. As the cabin door clicks shut behind him, Theo notices it locks from the outside. They are being held hostage by pirates! Theo vows to save his mother and sister, but with escape almost impossible, how can he outsmart the bandits and get word to Governor Penn? "Am I my brother's keeper?" For Theo, the answer is yes...

TRAITOR IN THE TOWER, Introducing John Bunyan -- Twelve-year-old Richard Winslow learns firsthand just how dangerous London of 1660 can be when his father is arrested for treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Worried about the rest of the family's safety, Richard's mother and sisters escape to Scotland, but young Richard decides to stay behind. What if his father needs him? Remaining in London is too risky, so Richard sets off for the nearby town of Bedford, where his uncle is the jailkeeper. While working for his uncle in the jail, Richard makes an unexpected friend-a prisoner named John Bunyan. Bunyan never misses a chance to preach the Gospel, even though it could result in death at the stake. Richard wants to help this brave man but is afraid of what might happen to him-and his father-if he does. Will Richard betray John Bunyan to get his father out of prison? Richard wants his father's freedom, but is he willing to pay the terrible price?

THE FATE OF THE YELLOW WOODBEE, Introducing Nate Saint -- Eleven-year-old Niwa is from Ecuador's Huaorani tribe, better known as the Auca tribe, which is known for killing outsiders. The Aucas trust no one, not even neighboring tribes, so when young Niwa is outlawed by his own people for angering another tribe, not even his family will protect him. Then a huge "woodbee" flies overhead, dropping gifts to Niwa's tribe from pilot Nate Saint and the other members of a missions team hoping to share the Gospel with them. Alone and afraid, Niwa is excited by the prospect of outsiders who want to help him. He even wants to make friends with the mysterious strangers and convince his tribe that the people in the strange woodbee will not harm them. But when someone else from the tribe lies about the five men wanting to attack them, the whole village wants them dead-except for Niwa. Will he get there in time to stop the killing. In a tribe of killers, one boy longs for peace. . . .

FLIGHT OF THE FUGITIVES Introducing Gladys Aylward Six-year-old Mei-en screamed in terror when she realized her gypsy owner was about to sell her to a foreign lady. Times were hard in the mountainous region of China in 1934, and orphans were often sold for pennies. But foreigners in China were considered "devils," and Mei-en thought surely the little woman in Chinese clothes would eat her for supper! But this time Mei-en's new owner was the compassionate and respected missionary, Gladys Aylward. One day outside her new home, Mei-en saw wonderful silver "birds" flying in the sky-but her delight turned to dread when they began dropping bombs that exploded all over the city. Suddenly their lives, and those of nearly a hundred orphan children, were in terrible danger! With the enemy in hot pursuit, their only escape is over the mountains!

THE BETRAYER'S FORTUNE Introducing Menno Simons Adriaen Wens was frightened-for his own life and for his mother's. In 1543, many Christians in northeastern Europe were suffering cruel persecution, even execution, for following the beliefs of Menno Simons, the leader of a group called the Anabaptists. When Adriaen's mother was arrested, he had to flee during the night with Menno, knowing that to stay in the city would mean his own arrest. Soon after, Adriaen discovered there was a reward of a hundred gold pieces for the capture of Menno Simons. With so much gold, Adriaen could free his mother and rescue his family from the city! But could he turn in the underground church leader, even if it meant the man's execution? If Adriaen betrays the leader, his family will go free!

THE BANDIT OF ASHLEY DOWNS Introducing George Müller By the time Curly Roddy was twelve years old, he'd already survived six years as a homeless orphan on the cruel streets of London in the 1870s. He slept in dustbins and ate orange peels when he could find them. Sometimes he earned a few coins by singing and doing acrobatics in pubs. He had perfected his skills at snatching purses and picking pockets. But when Curly overheard that a church was raising £3,000 for an orphan house in Bristol, his scheme of an armed robbery promised to bring him enough money for a lifetime. Enlisting the help of a local thug and thief, Spud Baxter, a plan is soon put into place. With Spud's pistol and brute force, the church's treasure should easily be taken. But the highway robbery brings Curly more trouble than he had bargained for. Is it scarier to be sent to the orphanage from which he stole the money than to be sent to prison? Will George Müller, the man in charge of the orphanage, make Curly into a slave to earn back at least a portion of the money? Or might they do something even worse? Curly's in for the biggest surprise of his young life!

THE CHIMNEY SWEEP'S RANSOM Introducing John Wesley Ned Carter, an eighteenth-century boy of thirteen, has been working in the dangerous coal mines in northern England since he was five. He desperately wants to save his little brother Pip from the same fate. Like so many poor English families of the day, even the young children of the Carter family must earn money to pay the bills. Now Pip is turning five and Ned must find a way to prevent his parents from sending Pip into the coal mines. But when Ned has an accident, Pip's fate seems sealed-without Ned's income, his father is sure to act. But instead of the mines, little Pip is "sold" to be trained as a chimney sweep. Before Ned can intervene, Pip has vanished-forever! Despite his injury, Ned determines he must find Pip and try to buy him back. But where has Pip been taken and how can Ned ever earn the ransom money without his father knowing it? What might the preacher, John Wesley, do on Pip's behalf? Was no one there to care or to help?

CAUGHT IN THE REBEL CAMP, Introducing Frederick Douglass --The Civil War has just begun, and the controversy between the North and the South continues to heat up. Everybody seems to be getting into the action-except for Danny Sims. Danny wants nothing more than to fight with the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Infantry, Frederick Douglass's newly formed black regiment. But his young age and a lame foot keep Danny from enlisting. The boy feels good for nothing until Frederick Douglass recommends Danny as the caretaker of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw's horses. Danny knows the importance of this task, and he's confident he will do an excellent job.But when the colonel's own horse escapes one night, Danny goes after him, only to find himself inside the Confederate soldiers' fort. In terror, he remembers the Fifty-Fourth's plans of immediate attack-what if the battle begins while he is inside? When Danny sees that the Confederates are making their own plans for the attack, Danny realizes that the Union soldiers are being set up for a trap! Can Danny escape in time to warn his troops?A CRIPPLED BOY HAS NO PLACEIN THE WAR . . . DOES HE

THE MAYFLOWER SECRET, Introducing Governor William Bradford -- Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth Tilley and her family have been waiting for this day for months-the day the Mayflower sets sail from England. The late start means uncertain weather and a long, hard journey for everyone. But the trip seems especially rough for Dorothy Bradford, the frail young wife of William Bradford. One night, Elizabeth discovers Dorothy alone on deck. Thinking the woman wants to be alone, Elizabeth returns to bed. But the next morning, she awakes to the news that Dorothy has disappeared! Afraid that William Brafford will blame her for his wife's death, Elizabeth tells no one what she saw that night. When they finally arrive in the New World, many passengers become very ill. Several of them die before the new colony is established, including Elizabeth's parents. Left an orphan, Elizabeth must deal with her terrible secret alone. How can she ever face Governor Bradford again? If she dares to tell the truth, will it ruin her chance for happiness in the new colony? Alone in the New World, Elizabeth guards a shocking secret. . . .

MASK OF THE WOLF BOY, Introducing Jonathan and Rosalind Goforth --In the Chinese city of Changte, Chou Fu-lin is known simply as "Wolf Boy." Plagued by recurring nightmares of a childhood accident, Fu-lin hides more than his face behind his carefully tied bandana. Still, he enjoys his job as a house servant for Canadian missionaries Jonathan and Rosalind Goforth, and has recently become a Christian himself, joining their growing church.The Wolf Boy's faith is soon put to the test with the outbreak of the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. The Goforths are forced to flee the country, and Fu-lin gladly goes with them. But as the refugee Christians are greeted with ever louder and more violent protests, Fu-lin is sorely tempted to hide his faith and disappear into the crowd. Will Chou Fu-lin have the courage to face his greatest fears and finally expose the truth?Who will be revealed when the Wolf Boy removes his mask?

THE WARRIOR'S CHALLENGE, Introducing David Zeisberber -- When white settlers force a group of Moravian Indians to abandon their thriving Pennsylvania town in 1772, thirteen-year-old Joseph Shabosh and his crippled friend David Heckstein leave with them. As unalike as the two boys are, both long for their lives to be different: Joseph dreams of a warrior's life of adventure, and David of being less of a burden on his mother. But the peaceful Moravians are not alone as they make their way west. Shadowy figures are spotted slipping among the trees along the trail-Mohegan warriors! A meeting with a proud, strong warrior during a hunt leaves Joseph more certain than ever that he wants to be a warrior, but young David is sure no good can come of spending time with the sly Mohegan. Should Joseph believe the warrior he has befriended against his father's will, or trust in the words of David and the Moravian missionary who leads them? The two friends are about to face the biggest obstacles of their lives!

THE GOLD MINERS' RESCUE, Introducing Sheldon Jackson -- As Adam Christian graduates from the famous Sitka Industrial and Training School, he dreams of one day becoming famous-like Dr. Sheldon Jackson, who started the school. The last thing Adam wants to do is return to his dull life in northern Alaska, so he asks Dr. Jackson if he can join him on his 1897 expedition to the Yukon to rescue hundreds of starving gold miners. Surprisingly, Dr. Jackson agrees, and eager to say good-bye to his home and his people, Adam sets off on what he hopes will be the adventure of a lifetime. But the excitement and fame Adam seeks soon are swallowed up in trials that not even the hardy young boy is prepared to face. Disaster seems to strike at every turn when they try to bring a herd of reindeer from Norway all the way to the Yukon in an effort to help the troubled miners. Will they reach the men before it's too late? Help is on the way, but will it be in time?

Thirteen-year-old Hamilton Jones seeks revenge against the former captain of the ship on which his mother had been taken from Africa to slavery in the Colonies.

DEFEAT OF THE GHOST RIDERS, Introducing Mary McLeod Bethune -- Eight-year-old Celeste Key is a mischievous girl who often gets herself into trouble. When her father's blacksmith shop is burned to the ground by the Ku Klux Klan in 1904, the family decides they must leave town before someone gets killed. They move to Florida, where a woman named Mary McLeod Bethune offers them schooling for their children. Mary has started a school for black children-one of the first in the United States. Celeste is sent to Mary's school against her will but soon finds herself enjoying what she's learning. Everything seems to be going well-until men with white hoods over their heads burn a cross on the school property. Celeste is terrified of the Klan because of what happened in Georgia, yet Mary is a stubborn woman who refuses to let them intimidate her. Celeste wants to believe the Klan can be defeated, but will their threats turn into burning more than crosses? Freedom in a new state, but will it come with a price?

TRIAL BY POISON Introducing Mary Slessor Imatu had seen white people in her village in West Africa, but only when they came to sell liquor, guns, and slave chains. One rainy day, Imatu was sent to find a goat that had run away from the village. But when she found instead a brightly colored regal canoe with a white woman inside and five black children, Imatu quickly forgot about the goat! The woman, Mary Slessor, had come to Imatu's village to set up a school and teach them about a God who loves them, who wouldn't demand cruel rituals like Imatu's" tribal religion. But when Imatu's mother is taken prisoner and condemned to drink the deadly poison bean, would Mary Slessor's respect in the village prove enough to save her? Imatu was frantic with fear! Who will rescue her mother from the poison bean?

ABANDONED ON THE WILD FRONTIER Introducing Peter Cartwright Gilbert Hamilton is left alone on the frontier when his father is killed, and his mother is kidnapped by Sauk Indians during the War of 1812. The orphaned boy is taken to Kentucky to live with his wealthy uncle and aunt on their plantation, but Gilbert will never really be a part of his uncle's family. Haunted by memories of his mother and feelings of loneliness, Gil attends a camp meeting led by Peter Cartwright, a Methodist circuit-rider evangelist. The kind-hearted Cartwright allows the boy to move with the Cartwright family to Illinois, where Gil can begin the search for his mother. Settlers in the area have heard rumors of a blue-eyed squaw living among the Sauk. Could she be his mother? As Gil sets out on his quest, he begins to question whether his mother is alive. What if he is too late? Sauk warriors had kidnapped his mother long ago . . . is she still alive?

ATTACK IN THE RYE GRASS, Introducing Marcus and Narcissa Whitman Perrin Whitman was twelve years old and thrilled to travel by wagon train to Oregon Territory with his missionary aunt and uncle, Dr. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. It was 1843, and life in the wild, unsettled Northwest promised Perrin the adventure he craved-but also the opportunity to witness a fierce and tragic battle for peace and freedom. Upon their arrival in Oregon, Perrin found an immediate friend in the young Indian girl, Shikam, whose brother would later become the famous Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe. Both Perrin and Shikam had the same goal: keep peace between the white settlers and the Indians. But when another wagon train of emigrants brought measles, the Indians become terrified and angry by the sickness overtaking their people. Will Dr. Whitman be able to cure the Indians before war breaks out? His uncle's life is in danger, but what can Perrin do?

KIDNAPPED BY RIVER RATS Introducing William and Catherine Booth It is sometime during the 1880s, and Jack and Amy have come to London searching for their uncle. On their own without money, food, or shelter, they have nowhere else to turn. But what is the chance of finding him when they don't even know where he lives? For the two youngsters, attempting to live on the streets is frightening, dangerous, and an opportunity for the worst elements of the city to take advantage of them. London society has become uncaring, even cruel, to the needy. Where can they find safety? When those strange Salvation Army people approach them on the street, should Jack and Amy run away? Can the General and Catherine Booth be trusted? What hope do Jack and Amy have when ruthless men come after them?

THE HIDDEN JEWEL Introducing Amy Carmichael From the moment he and his mother arrived from England, everything about India shouted adventure to fourteen-year-old John Knight. Crowds of people swarmed in the streets, temple elephants paraded about, monkeys scolded at passers-by-this was easily the most exciting place John had ever been. If only his father, a British government official sent to south India in 1909, will allow him to explore it. But John and his mother are not prepared for what they discover when they befriend an Irish missionary named Amy Carmichael. With a heart for justice, John is shocked to learn that a young Indian girl rescued by Carmichael is a "child bride" being legally forced by her wicked uncle to marry an elderly man! Is it possible that John's father might be called upon to uphold this horrible law? What will happen if John does not act? Who will save Jewel? Will all the fears mirrored in Jewel's eyes come to pass?

LISTEN FOR THE WHIPPOORWILL Introducing Harriet Tubman Living as a slave with her family on an old Maryland plantation in 1853, twelve-year-old Rosebud Jackson had been helping her mother with the cooking for the Big House as long as she could remember. Rosebud's world seemed like an endless pile of pots and pans to wash, food to prepare, and bread to bake. Her father worked long days in the fields while her fifteen-year-old brother Isaac was the stable boy. But when a series of tragedies strikes, Rosebud is left alone and very afraid. Her only hope is that the words of her father will come true: "Just listen for the whippoorwill." When the harvest season is over, this sound will be her signal to follow in a desperate attempt to escape her cruel slavery. On the darkest of nights, Rosebud will meet the mysterious person the slaves called "Moses," who will lead her and other slaves on a harrowing journey toward the North on the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman, known as "Moses," was also an escaped slave and became famous for leading bands of runaways on their dangerous passage to Canada. Will rosebud be able to keep up? Does Harriet Tubman know the way?