Book Description

Melia wants to be a writer just like her mom. She's not exactly sure what a writer does, though. She sees her mom staring at the typewriter and then she sees her opening up boxes of books. But what comes in between?

With some help from her mom, Melia begins to learn the tools of the trade. She learns how to make pictures with words, how to search for ideas, and, of course, how to start a story. Before she knows it, Melia's creating her own spellbinding tales. Maybe she is a writer after all! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

If I Were A Writer
This story is about a young girl who's mother is a writer. The girl watches her mother work and picks up pointers on things that writers do. The girl then starts some writing of her own. As a teacher, I have found that, this book inspires my students to become writers and it is wonderful to use with "writer's workshop." ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The adventure continues!
"Caught In The Act" continues the story of the six Kelly children that were were sent away to get adopted by new families because their mother feels that she cannot afford to keep them. I read the first book in the series called "A Family Apart" and it was about the children getting adopted by new families and the second part was about Frances Kelly's adventures with her family. This book talks about how Michael Kelly is doing with the Friedrichs. Mike's main concern is that he believes that the Friedrichs are hiding something from him. He thinks this because he overheard a conversation about somebody named Ulrich. Mike's opinion is that Mr. Friedrich killed him. The story is all about Mike's adventure.

I really enjoyed the novel because it's interesting to see what life was like back in that time. So far I have read the books: A Family Apart, Caught In The Act and In The Face Of Danger. I'm going to read the whole series! If you are thinking of buying this book buy A Family Apart first.

MYSTERIOUS SEEKS!....
Caught in the Act is about a boy, Mike Kelly, who is sent on the Orphan Train but, unfortunately he is left with the Friedrichs. This German family moved to the U.S. to flee from someone or something. This fled turns to turmoil which causes Mike head to spin which might lead to be beaten or be the last victim of three or least he thinks. If you like suspense, mysteries, conflicts, abrupt uproars,or just plain old horror/ questionable murder books you shoulid read this book.

a Caught in the Act review
Michael Patrick Kelly, age 11, is one of his five brothers and sisters who are being sent west on an orphan train by their Ma so they can live a better life than they've had working on the streets of New York City. While his brothers and sisters are placed in good homes, Mike finds life difficult with the family he has been adopted into, especially since he had been a pickpocket out of necessity in New York and going west had been his only other choice besides being sent to Tombs Prison. Mr Friedrich, the father, believes that Mike is nothing but trouble and beats him whenever his temper rises. Gunter, the 13 yr. old who hates Mike and would like to see him sent back to NY and Tombs Prison,tries everything he can to get him in trouble. Most of the time, he succeeds, but Mike remains determined and stays with them despite Gunter's efforts. Mrs.Friedrich is a motherly woman who gladly welcomes his placement in their family, and Mike finds a true friend in Reuben, the hired hand, and Marta, who is a housekeeper for the Friedrichs. While Mike is in the wagon on the way to his new home, he overhears a whispered conversation about a man named Ulrich that disappeared. Apparently, Mr.Friedrich thinks that Mike is just like Ulrich and that he should be "taken care of". As the days pass, Mike hears more tidbits of conversation and believes that Mr. Friedrich has killed Ulrich and that he is afraid someone is going to find his out secret. Mike tries to pry more information loose out of Marta, but she only hints that she knows something which does not need concern him. When Reuben disappears after a fight with Mr.Friedrich, Mike can only fear the worst, and later while in the woods he spies a freshly dug patch of dirt. And then on a trip to St. Joseph, Missouri, he openly tells the people at the general store that Reuben is gone and that he suspects Mr.Friedrich of his murder.What will happen next to Mike--Will he find Reuben?And who was Ulrich? Read this 2nd book in the Orphan Train Quartet by Joan Lowery Nixon to find out the happy ending to Mike's story.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT
A twelve year old boy named Mike kelly is sent west on the orphan train because he was a theif.He was adopted by the Friedrichs.Gunter a thirteen year old boy who hates Mike and lies to get him beaten and send back to New York.Will he succeed? Read this book to find out.

Not for a person who loves action, But a good read.
Michael Patrick Kelly, a boy who steals to feed his family, is actually a very good kid. He would shine the customer (or victim's) shoes and then pick their pocket. However, he is caught, and sentenced to five years at Tombs prison- or to be sent west to start a new life. He goes west. And that, my friend, is how everything begins. Everyone of his siblings gets good parents- except him. Hans Friedrich, a rather bulky,er, really bulky man with a temper like a bomb- ready to go off. Gunter Friedrich, a 13 year old who hates Mike and is always trying to get him into trouble. And he does,too. Mrs. Friedrich is a lovely and nice cook. The maid, Marta,is in love with a rowdy boy-who loves her back! And Rueben-the hired hand is Mike's best friend. But when Reuben suddenly disapears, and a freshly dug plot of dirt turns up that day, Mike has a creeping suspicion of Mr.Friedrich, and if he will be next... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Circle of Love by Sahil Rajvanshi
This story is about a 19 year old girl name Frances Mary Kelly. She lives in Kansas. She is a school teacher. She knows a man name Johnny. They go to the church together. One day she met up her friend, Andrew. He wanted her to take a boy name Stefan to New York. So she went to the store to buy things for her trip. She surprised Johnny because he didn't know about her trip to New York. She boarded the train with Stefan to New York. When they got there, Stefan was very happy to see his aunt and uncle.

Then Frances met a woman name Mrs. Hunter in New York. Frances told Mrs. Hunter that she wanted to visit her old neighborhood. When she got there, she was surprised and upset to see that everything had changed. It was looking like a junk yard now. When she got back from her sad trip, Mrs. Hunter wanted her to take many orphan children to different train stops, to find parents who would adopt them. She took all the children to the train station. They all got in the train. She met a man name Seth in the train and he helped her by getting food and milk for everyone. During the night time, when all the kids were sleeping, Frances and Seth got to know each other. In the morning, Seth's brother came next to the train on a horse. Seth took one of the children as hostage. Then Frances ran towards the child and tried to pull him inside the train. Seth let go of the child and jumped off the train, onto his brothers horse and rode away. Frances sent a telegram message to the sheriff, notifying him that seth and his gang are on the way to rob a bank. When Frances reached the train station, sheriff told her that he chaught the gang except Seth.

Frances and the children went with sheriff to the church for the adoption meeting. Frances described to all the people in the church about the Children Aid Society. Also told them about the children she had with her. After that, each parent came and adopted a child they liked. Most of the children were adopted by someone. Frances took the remaining children to the train station for the next place for adoption.

After all the children were adopted, Frances still had one child left name Eddie. Frances took Eddie to her mom's place and her mom liked him a lot. She took Eddie to her home in Kansas and met up with Johnny. They both got married and adopted Eddie for their son.

circle of love
This story is aboout a 19 year old girl namw Frances Mary Kelly. She lives in Ksansas. She a schoolteacher. She know a man name Jonney. They do alot of thing together. One of the thing that they do is that they go to the church together. One day she met up with an old friend. He wanted her to take a boy to New York. So she went to the store and got a few thing for her trip. She surprise Jonney because he didn't know about this. So she boarded the train to New York. When they got there he was very happy to be with his aunt and uncle. Then shee met a woman name Mrs.hunter. She ask her if she can see her old neighborhood. When she got there she was wondering what happen

A Sad Book
I thought this was I great but sad book. It is about Frances Mary that rides the train from New York to Missouri on the train that took her and her brothers and her sisters to there foster parents. On her way home she takes 30 orphans to missouri to be adopted. This is a story of both adventure and tradigy. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

AWESOME!(...)
This is the best book i have ever read and it is very exiting packed with adventures and friends to learn. i was so exited when i read almost every page. the only bad part was at the end when the book didn't tell you who the spy was.

the orphan train adventures: a dangerous promise
i thnk this was a good book except for the fact that at the ending it did not tell who the spy was it left the reader hanging too much but overall it was good like i said the ending was bad when it did not tell who the spy was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(IM AM 13 IM NOT 12 I PUT 12 SO I CAN PUT THIS REVIEW)!!!!!

Great resource!
As an educator of upper elementary students, I think the whole Orphan Train Adventures series is outstanding! It tells a tale while weaving in historical events. It makes learning history more interesting because the stories are told from a young person's point of view!

Want to go back and time and experience a bullet in the leg?
The guns swirling around you make you want to turn and run, but you wont.....at least Mike wont. Want to read a wonderful story of the Civil War and the urge that gripped the teens in America during that great war and made them run and join the army? Want to know why the nickname for the Civil War is "The Boys' War"? Well, you'll find out in this wonderful book about the war that claimed the lives of so many and destroyed and brought families together. A wonderful book, that can be a curse because you wont let it down. Enjoy this wonderful tail of the bullets flying and the men dying at your side........... ... Read more

Book Description

A $10,000 reward for a missing mummy lures cousins Jeff and Debbie into an old mansion. But a raging snow storm forces them to spend the night ­ and an evil ancient spirit might not let them see the dawn. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

It'll make your bones shiver
House on Hackman's Hill is one of the best books I have ever read. My teacher read it to my class in school. It made me shiver and gasp. At the house on Hackman's Hill, you never know what surprises come next.
It all started as an innocent hunt for a contest. The prize:10 grand. The two innocent kids: Debbie and Jack. They were trying to find mummy that was worth quite a bundle. How were they to know that their own neighbor, Mr.Carlson, had actually lived there. Mr. Carlson told them the horrific story of what happened when he was just a boy living their. He told about the mummy's curse and the many secrets that house held.
After hearing that invigorating story, the two kids went over to the house to search for the mummy. They put aside the fact that even adults avoided the house. They packed sandwiches, a camera, and flashlights. After about 5 hours there, a storm came. They were trapped inside the terrible house...
This book kept me on the edge of my seat while my teacher was reading it to me. I loved every page of the book. There were no bad parts in the book at all. The author was brilliant to think of such an idea.
I would recommend this book for children 10-18. It is so scary it might frighten kids under the age of 10. Actually I recommend this book for ages 10 and up. Everyone would enjoy it. That is anyone who enjoys a good, old-fashioned ghost story.

Don't Hide What's Inside
I think that the book The House on Hackman's Hill is a really great book. This book will have your mind on an incredible journey the whole time you read it. Reading this book is like being in the book, on a mysterious and perilous adventure. Danger and fear can strike into your mind at any given moment. Excitement is what you'll feel as you go through this story. I have never gotten bored while reading this book. Exploring a world where anything can happen at any time. I have no doubt that this book will take you on a journey with it. I would recommend this book to anyone at all. I am sure anybody who reads The House on Hackman's Hill will enjoy it. It involves two adventurous kids who want to go inside of this abandoned house to look for a mummy and get a reward for finding it. Then, they hear the story of the Hackman House and fear strikes them. But, they really wanted the reward so they went on an adventure inside of that house, unaware of the dangers inside.

A real thriller!
An excellent adventure!'
Very mysterious!

ATTENTION TEACHERS!
1. If you teach and you are a good oral reader, then read every other book to your class that you plan to use BEFORE you read this one.
2. I read this to my 4th grade classes every year while they follow what I read in their own copy.
3. The time of day doesn't matter. When I say let's read...they APPLAUD and RUSH to get thier books.
4. Even the 'attention problems' sit spellbound and beg for more.
5. It just doesn't get any better than that.
6. Five stars is not NEARLY enough for this magnificent mystery!
7. I hope you can purchase this book from someone else because MY 25 copies are not available to ANYONE at ANY PRICE.

This Book Will Have You Wrapped
The story "The House On Hackman's Hill" is a pretty good book. It's about these two kids, Jeff and Debbie who want to discover a missing mummy. The only person-or do I dare say thing standing in their way is the statue with the body of a human but a head of a jackal, Anubis. Many have tried to get the missing mummy but have never returned. Read this story by Joan Lowery Haddix to see if Jeff and Debbie can survive The House On Hackman's Hill.

Cliffhanger Alert!
The House on Hackman's Hill is a GREAT book! It is about two kids named Jeff and Debbie. They are walking through the woods and the find a mysterious house. They both feel like they are being watched. So, they go to their neighbor's house and asks about what the found. He tells them the whole story. They find out the something is in that house and there is a reward for anyone who finds it. Jeff wants the reward money to give to his dad and Debbie wants to get a picture of what is in there for a camera contest. But the only thing is that something gets in their way! The great thing about this book is at the end of every chapter there is a cliffhanger so I couldn't wait to finish reading it! This book is a MUST! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fabulous - every family with small children should own!
This book is the cutest book! Excellent book to explain to children 3-6 years old an often uncomfortable topic. It is a great way to open communication between children and parents with great text and precious pictures. ... Read more

Book Description

THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD Cody doesn’t like Texas. He and his mom were only supposed to spend the summer there, helping out his grandmother. But Cody’s grandmother is sick and needs them to stay. Now he’s the new kid at the local middle school and all his friends are back in California. You’d think Cody’s cousin Hayden would show him the ropes. Not only is Hayden in the same grade, he lives next door. But Hayden doesn’t want anything to do with Cody.

Cody’s luck begins to change when he befriends Officer Ramsey, a policeman and aspiring stand-up comic. Officer Ramsey appreciates Cody’s jokes so much, he pays Cody for the material! But it’s no laughing matter when a crime is committed at school and Cody becomes a suspect. Cody is going to need more than jokes to solve this mystery—and clear his name. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Will they break their promise??
It seems the Orphan Train shares alot of titles with Sweet Valley Twins!!!LOL.I am reviewing Sweet Valley..Jessica and Elizabeth,twins,learn a secret language called Ithig.Their dad has taught it to them,as something he can share with his special twin daughters.They promise not to teach the language to anyone,but this makes their friends at school very cross!!!!!!

Ithig??????!!
Mr.Ned Wakefield teaches Jessica and Elizabeth,his twin daughters,a secret language called Ithig(The ..word?..ithig is placed between syllables).The two do their best to keep the language a secret but their friends start acting like brats,feeling hapless that the secret will not be shared with them.Soon,the language is all around school!!Uh-oh!

Not Much of a Secret
In "Keeping Secrets", the Wakefield twins learn a secret new language called Ithig, which is similar to pig Latin, except the word "ithig" is placed between the syllables of each word, lithigike thithigis. It sounds pretty complicated, but Elizabeth and Jessica pick up on it within minutes--even featherbrained Jessica.

Elizabeth and Jessica promise to keep it a secret with their father as a fun game, but their loyalty is tried when the girls' best friends (Amy Sutton and Lila Fowler) demand to know their secret or else. The reaction to the twins' secrecy is a little over dramatic and immature, but then again this is middle school.

Lila even refuses to invite the twins to a big star-studded party unless they tell her everything. Jessica, of course, is the first to break her promise. Soon everybody at Sweet Valley Middle School starts talking "Ithig", mainly as a way to confuse their new teacher Ms. McDonald.

"Keeping Secrets" certainly isn't the best Sweet Valley Twins book I've read so far, but if you're into secret languages, you might like this one.

Keeping secrets
This book was pretty good.

I've seen better but it comes in pretty well

Sweet Valley Twins
It looks like two books with the same title are being reviewed here, "The Orphan Train" and "Sweet Valley Twins." I'm going to review the Sweet Valley Twins book. In this story, Jessica and Elizabeth learn an artificial code language called "ithig." They promise to keep it a secret and not teach it to anyone, but they eventually bend and teach the whole school. Now the whole school knows the "ithig" language, and they plan to play a trick on a new teacher. And as always, Elizabeth comes to the rescue. I think it's a fun book to read, but it's not one of the best in the Sweet Valley Twins series. The story isn't very realistic, and the kids seem to catch on to the new language much too quickly. But it's fun, so I'll give it 3 stars. ... Read more

Book Description

David Howard has been living on the streets of New York City so long he can barely remember his parents. Through the Children's Aid Society, he finds a new home with the Bauer family in Missouri. But farm life isn't easy, especially for a boy who's never seen a cow before.

Luckily, the Bauers' hired hand, Amos, an ex-slave, comes to David's rescue. When an unexpected danger threatens Amos, David wants to help his friend. But how can an 11-year-old boy help a grown man? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

David's Search/Our Find
I used this book as part of my ESL curriculum.I had two 5th grade boys share the reading of David's Search with me.It introduced a lot of vocabulary but more than that, it's portrayal of an alienated young man experiencing racial prejudice was especially touching and pertinent to many of the children with whom I work.The boys became engrossed with the story and ultimately wanted to read it themselves without my assistance.I got shut out of our reading group. The story spoke to my students...and to me.The book is especially well written, as are all of the Orphan Train series books I have encountered. Although the story is appropriate for 5th grade and above, the students do not need a 5th grade reading ability to read it.It is especially appropriate for less developed readers for this reason.

A Difficult Decision
It is 1866, and twelve year old Will Scott is not happy to be on the Orphan Train. That is because he is not an orphan .He has a father,Jesse, who is a circus performer. But Jesse tells Will he will have a better family and a better life out west. Will is placed with kindly Mr. and Mrs. Wallace. Will assists Dr. Wallace on his rounds of local farms and finds he is very good at helping people that are sick or hurt. Still, Will misses his father terribly. Then one night Jesse's circus comes to town and Will needs to make a big decision. Will's Choice is a great book for one reason. It teaches about important things in life such as love. It does this by showing us that Will has to choose whether to go back with his father, who originaly dumped him, or stay with the loving Wallaces. I recomend this book cause it has a very important message for all of us.

Orphan Train Children:David's Search
Young David is sent by his friend, Mickey, to join the Orphan Train and thus escapes the New York streets where they are homeless.David is reluctantly adopted by a childless couple who want free workers for their farm.He is worked hard and they are miserly.He befriends Amos, a formerslave, who works on the farm.The KKK moves in and threatens the familyfor employing and paying a negro.Amos moves on westward and David stays,winning the grudging respect of his adoptive parents. Historical detailseems accurate and story is good, with black and white illustrations. Recomended for 5th graders, and teachers.

A great new Orphan Train Children book!
David Howard is an eleven year old orphan in 1866. He's lived on thestreets of New York City so long, he can barely remember the time when hisparents were still living. A friend tells David about the Children's AidSociety, an organization that sends young orphans west on trains to findnew homes. That summer, David heads west and finds a new home with theBauer family on their Missouri farm. But the simple chores they assign toDavid are hard for a boy who's never been out of the city before. Luckilyfor David, the Bauers' hired hand, Amos, a former slave, is happy to helpDavid learn about life on a farm. But the Ku Klux Klan has reached thelittle town of Harwood, where David and his foster family live, and theywill stop at nothing to drive Amos away. Now, it's up to David to save hisfriend. Read this exciting new book in the Orphan Train Children series tofind out what happens! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (26)

This book is about an assignment that uncovers the truth.
Joan Lowery Nixon's novel, Search for the Shadowman, is a book that I liked and recommend for others to read.The novel is well wrighten, is easy to understand and, keeps the readers intrest and has a well devoloped main character. The main character, Andy Thomas, recives a class assignment to explor his family's history. He isn't to thrilled about unearthing his deceased realitives backrounds. Using the easist reasource possible, his computer, Andy logs on as "Hunter" and begins his search. Soon his queary sent on the internet changes to a pursuit to know more about his infamous realative, Coley Joe Bonner. Andy's quest for the truth about Coley Joe acquants Andy with DrPR. The sharing of an old newspaper article by DrPR. invesulls Andy's discovery of the buried truth about Coley Joe. Andy's school assignment results in his discovering amazing information about the dead as well as the living.

Search for the Shadowman,is a faboulous book!
In Search for te Shadowman by Joan Lowery Nixon the main character Andy Thompson gets an assignment from his history teacher and begins a search for a fellow in his family tree known as Coley Joe. A mystery surrounds Coley Joe's being crossed off the family tree by a betrayal of trust. Only trouble is Andy doesn't know think Coley Joe is guilty and sets out to prove his innocence, with some tough research.

I liked this story 's use of the computer,E-mail,library research and detective footwork to help Andy solve the mystery about Coley Joe. More than the research I enjoyed learing about Andy as a person by the way he handled his assignment. Andy showed his and faithfulness to his research, his family and his friend by achieving his goal of clearing Coley Joe's name, making his family proud of their ancestor and still honoring his friendship with J.J.

Even when Andy's research could have given him fame and fortune, it would have also hurt his bestfriend and his family. Andy chose the only honorable way to end the long lost search for the shadowman.

A fun way to learn to do research
An excellent mystery for 10 to 12 year olds. It shows how to research via the Internet as well as libraries. In addition it is a great introduction to genealogy.

This book rocks
This book is filled with suspence. Andy's search filled me with many questions. Joan Lowery Nixion ties the book up with an extrodanary ending. This book mixes a little history into a mystery. I would recemend this book to anyone who loves reading mysteries. GREAT BOOK

Recommended!
Our children's librarian recommended this book for my 9 year old. I read it yesterday. (He hasn't read it yet.) I really liked the book. It made me really want to know the truth about Coley Joe. It's a good way to learn about history and geneology within a modern setting. It also addresses topics such as how we treat others, family loyalty, etc. ... Read more

Book Description

Ten-year-old Lucy Griggs's mother has just died, leaving Lucy orphaned and living on the streets of 1866 New York City. Then Lucy hears about the Children's Aid Society, a group that sends orphans out West to new homes. Lucy knows she'll never replace her mum, but maybe now she'll find a family--and even a little sister--to love.

But the family that takes her in is far from ideal. Mr. Snapes seems kind, but Mrs. Snapes is a bitter, angry woman. And Emma isn't the sister Lucy has dreamed of. Emma is a girl who people call "simple." Can Lucy learn to love this less-than-perfect family? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

teaches a lesson about being less fortunate
I read this to my 10 y/o daughter last night before bed; we both thought it was really good. My daughter is homeschooled by me and she has special needs and she thought it was apalling how the handicapped children were treated by their own parents. She was upset to see how Lucy was evicted and had no place to go; kids nowdays usually don't have that misfortune. I love Nixon's books and I thought this was a very accurate piece of historical fiction, good for 3-6th grade.

"Lucy's Wish" touched my heart.
This is a little story that can touch your heart. It is about a little orphan whose mother has died. Lucy learns of the Orphan Train through a friend and wishes for a little sister and a kind mother and father. Lucy meets two friends on the Orphan Train, a Princess and Daisy. All three find families, but will Lucy get her wish? This reader spent most of one night reading the book until she finished and learned the answer to that question.

It was kind of sad but do you think it will turn out happy?
This happens in the year 1866. In a little alley in New York City, lay a ten-year-old girl named Lucy Amanda Griggs. She had no mom, she died of cholera. She had no dad either, he died in a car accident. One of Lucy's old friends, Joey, told her about the Orphan Train. He said,"The Orphan Train takes orphans to find new parents." Ever since she became an orphan Lucy wanted a little sister, a mom, and a dad. So, Joey tells her where the Orphan Train is and she goes on. On the train she wonders,"Will I be chosen? Will anyone want me?" I would recommend this book if you liked the Orphan Train.

thought "Lucy's Wish" was a very interesting book.
"Lucy's Wish" is a historical fiction book about young girls and boys who go to find new families out west away from New York City where they live. They're mostly homeless children who have lost their mom or dad, so they go to an orphan house to get help. The workers usually send children out west to a home with parents. Lucy's one wish is to have a little sister and nice parents. I think this is a good book for younger readers. I liked it, but it is meant for younger readers.

Good book
This book is about Lucy Amanda Griggs, a ten year old orphan. After her mother dies from cholera, Lucy is left homeless on the streets of New York City, until she is told about the orphan trains that take city orphans west to new homes. Maybe now Lucy will get the little sister she's always wanted. But Lucy discovers a very special sister in Emma, whom many of the local children tease because she is "simple." ... Read more

Book Description

Julie resents being sent to spend the summer with her great aunt and uncle on their ranch in Texas, Rancho del Oro. Her swim team needs her and she’ll be away for the whole summer season. But her family
is counting on her, too. Uncle Gabe has broken his ankle and Aunt Glenda needs help. Julie is the only one available. Maybe she’ll surprise herself and actually have a good time.

But something strange is going on at Rancho del Oro. Pieces of jewelry and little objects are missing. The older people on the ranch say they may have misplaced the items–but something doesn’t add up. In addition, two ranch residents have recently died. The deaths have been ruled accidents, but were they? When she discovers Uncle Gabe’s fall was not an accident, Julie knows she must discover the killer’s identity. Or else she could be next. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Another good mystery by Joan
Wonderful book. This is not a let down to Joan Lowery Nixon fans. Of course this one does not have any romance in it. Julia helps her grandma and her uncle, and while she's there some of the senior citizens jewelry is stolen, and two people turned up dead. Julia takes it upon her self to investagate the murders. It will keep you guessing. Not as good as spirit seeker or a canadaite for murder but still well written.

Another Good Mystery from Joan
Wonderful mystery. Anybody who has read any of joan's books will not be let down. Unlike her other books, there is no romance in this book. Julia goes to help her uncle and her grandma and ends up investagating the disapperance of some of the senoir citizens jewlery and two murders that had happened. A good read! My favorite Joan lowery nixon book is A Canidate for murder! ... Read more

Reviews (30)

a heart warming story
This was a thrilling book about a poor family that live in newyork the family has to deal with many problems first the dad dies, then the 3rd eldest gets in to some trouble because he is a copper thief Mike (the copper thief) is sent to a hearing The judge announces under there mothers wishes that the children ( Petey, Peg, Danny, Mike, Megan, and Frances) are to be sent west on the orphan train. Before the train leaves Frances the eldest child overhears that two kids in the same family are more likely to be adopted if they are boys. So Frances promising her mother that she would take care of her youngest brother cuts her hair and pretends to be a boy named Frankie. That's just the beginning Frances and her brothers and sisters encounter many other things on there quest to the west. Read this fantastic book and your eyes will open up to a whole new world of adventure thieves, slaves, fear, and depression it's sure to make your heart ache.This is a book you will always remember.

You really have to read the book!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought that A FAMILY APART was a really good book. It helped me to understand what a poor teenager's life was like in the mid 1800's. The story was mainly about a thirteen year old girl named Frances, who lived with her mother and five siblings in New York. After Frances' father died, the family lived in poverty. The mother worked at all hours of the day to support her family. Therefore,she never had time to properly care for her six children, so she sent them on an orphan train to St. Joseph's, Missouri to live with farm families who could feed them and care for them. The children were very upset to leave their mother. They were upset because they would be separated from their brothers and sisters also. Frances did however get placed in a home with her six year old brother, Petey. Frances learned to cope with, and love her new family. Frances had some very exciting adventures while she was living with her new family in Missouri. This book helps the reader understand love, sacrifice and trust. If I were you, I'd sacrifice a little bit of time to read A FAMILY APART.

A Family Apart
Good Book! It has action, adventure, and helps you learn about history all in one book. I enjoyed reading it and if you read this book, be sure to check out the rest of the series, too! People of all ages would love it. I'd recomend this book to everyone I meet!

An Excellent Novel! One You Must Look Into!
My mom bought me the orphan train adventures series a long time ago, and I never really read them because I wasn't that much into reading. But now, after I read this book, I am reading all the stories in this series 30 minutes a day! This would really be a good book to read.

The story is about a 13 year old girl named Frances Mary Kelly who lives with her mom and her brothers and sisters named Megan, Mike, Danny, Peg and Petey. The family is very poor and the mother realizes that she cannot afford to keep all of them. So, to solve that problem she sends them on an orphan train to live in the west with more wealthy families. Each of the children gets separated into different families and the second part of the story tells how Frances and Petey get along with their new family. I thought that the story was very interesting and when I finished one chapter I was so curious that I had to read more than one. What I also liked about the book was that it was very easy to understand what is happening. I have read many other books including Harry Potter where there are so many things that are happening at once that it's just to hard to keep track of everything so that's another good point of the story.

The other books in this series include: Caught In the Act, In the Face Of Danger, A Place To Belong, A Dangerous Promise, Keeping Secrets and Circle Of Love. The other books tell you the stories of the other kids and I also recommend them.

This was one of the best books I have read so far and I am going to read the whole series!!!

Fresh Start
I thought that this novel was extremely well written. I actually did some research about orphan trains and I could tell that Nixon didn't just dream up the orphan train riders lifestyles. I think that Frances Mary Kelly (the main character) was very lucky to have a mother and a shelter. Most poor children at that time didn't have parents or a shelter. Until Charles Loring Brace founded the Children's Aid Society in 1853, children were living on the streets making their living as pick-pockets. He established the orphan trains to send homeless children west to find new families. In my educated opinion, I think that this book is great for a historical fiction report and also a good curl-up-with kind of book. ... Read more

Book Description

In partnership with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation come authentic novels set in the
18th century about actual people, places, and events in this celebrated Virginia town.

Caesar’s life as a slave consists of long hours of backbreaking work. Having his mother, father, and sisters around him is the one thing that makes it all bearable. But when the master chooses Caesar to be his personal servant and live in the big house far from his own home, Caesar has no choice but to obey. Why do things have to change?
... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good read for young history lovers.
"Caesar's Story: 1759" is a good book for those being introduced to slavery (not during The Civil War). It's gritty in it own way, in how it deals with a black young slave child and white young owner child starting out as friends, but then becoming slave and master, without the fun memories. The Young Americans series is wonderful because each person was a living being, who lived a life. Even though little is known about Caesar, I'm glad he was given the chance to enter the reading worlds of readers. I recommend.

What a great addition to the Young Americans series!
Nixon provides wonderful insight into the time period through the eyes of a young slave, Caesar. The prologue sets the mood for the story to be told by an experienced storyteller and once the tale begins, the reader will have a hard time putting it down. Caesar brings the reader into his world. The frustration of slavery is so palpable the reader will feel Caesar's yearning. He is reminded repeatedly that a slave has no control over his future. His sister is moved to the big house to serve as a personal servant and his father is sent to Williamburg to work as a carpenter. With his family torn apart, Caesar is then told he has been chosen to become a personal servant as well. After spending his early years playing with the master's son, Nat, Caesar has a difficult time adjusting to his life as a personal servant to the same boy who was once his best friend. The one thing he discovers is that he may not have his freedom but he will always have spirit.

Slavery's scars, without sentimentality.
This, the second in the Colonial Williamsburg Young Americans series, is the story of a slave boy who moves from Carter's Grove Plantation to Williamsburg when his young master attends the grammar school at the College of William and Mary. This brief tale of mid-seventeenth life is fast-paced and full of action, while yet vibrantly aware of the emotional turmoil suffered by all parties to the blight that was slavery. Nixon, a prolific and talented children's novelist, never allows her writing to dwindle into maudlin political correctness or weep sentimentality. This is a highly recommended book not just for the young readers for which it is intended, but anyone who appreciates a good historical read. Reading this just prior to a visit to Colonial Williamsburg would be a treat indeed. ... Read more

Book Description

It's 1866 and 12-year-old Will Scott is not happy to be riding the orphan train. That's because Will's not really an orphan. He has a father--Jesse, a circus performer. But Will is no good at circus tricks, and Jesse tells him he'd be better off with a new family out West: "I'm giving you a better life, Will."

Will is placed with the kindly Dr. and Mrs. Wallace. Assisting Dr. Wallace on his rounds of the local farms, Will finds to his surprise that he's really good at something--helping people who are sick and hurt. But he still misses his father terribly. And then one night, Jesse's circus comes to town.... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The choice of a lifetime
Basically, Will is rather upset and can't believe that his father would just abandon him. He is placed with a kind couple who loves Will. They are Otto and Sarah Wallace, Otto is a doctor and often takes Will with him to meet his patients. He believes that Will has a real shot at becoming a doctor himself. When his father, Jesse, comes with his traveling circus, Will is torn on whether to go with his father, or stay with the Wallaces. This is a very good book, that builds up to the plot, nicely.

Lucy's Wish, the other book, was better
Lucy's Wish, the other Orphan Train Children book, was better. This book was boring. And it was annoying that Will wanted to go back to his father when his foster parents cared about him better and he had a real future with them. ... Read more

Book Description

Agatha Mae Vaughn is 12 years old in 1866, and she lives in the Asylum for Homeless Waifs, where she's always in trouble or in the way. So when she's told she's being sent west on the orphan train, Aggie isn't sad. She's looking forward to starting fresh and finding the family she's never had.

But instead of young parents and maybe even a little brother or sister, Aggie gets the Bradons. Bertha and Eldon Bradon are an elderly couple who live on a farm with their two older children--Leon, a budding inventor, and Penelope, a crusader for women's right to vote. This is not the family Aggie had in mind. Will she ever fit in? ... Read more

Reviews (3)

terrific book about an adventures and a lonely orphan
This book is about a young orphan who learns things about life. Like that ppl love her.its also about her life before and after her adoption These books make u happy and want to cry all at the same time they r wonderful for kids of all ages not to complicated but still the best. its also very adventourose

Another good Orphan Train Children book.
Aggie's Home is about a twelve year old orphan, Agatha Mae Vaughn. Aggie's mother left her on the steps of an orphanage when she was just a baby. Later, she gets sent to an orphan asylum with a cruel woman in charge. Aggie breaks a lot of rules, and after four years, the woman, Mrs. Marchlander, has had enough of her. So she sends her west on the Orphan Train. Aggie desperatley wants a home where someone will love her. Will she find one?

Aggie Vaughn rides the Orphan Train out west.
Aggie was left on the steps of an orphanage when she was a baby. Now twelve years old, Aggie is headed west on an Orphan Train. She was sent away from the orphanage because she broke too many rules. Aggie wonders if anyone will want her, if she will find a home. This book in the Orphan Train Children series was very good. ... Read more

Book Description

Rosie can’t believe her good luck. Her grandmother, Glory, needs a last-minute roommate for a cruise to the Caribbean. Glory doesn’t really need a companion–she’s eager for Rosie to meet her friend’s grandson, Neil, a brainy guy full of facts about baseball. Once Rosie is aboard the ship, though, someone else catches her eye–a boy her own age, who introduces himself as Ricky Diago. But after the ship sails, Rosie only sees Ricky’s uncle, Mr. Diago. What’s even stranger is that Neil could swear that Mr. Diago is actually a famous Cuban baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds. Then after a day’s excursion, Rosie is approached by another boy who claims he’s Ricky Diago. She’s certain he’s not the person she met before. Suddenly Rosie finds herself caught in a high-stakes adventure of international intrigue with life-or-death consequences. Who is the real Ricky Diago? And how far is Rosie willing to go to help him? ... Read more

Book Description

The slapstick sequel to Gus & Gertie and the Missing Pearl is now available in paperback! Gus and Gertie arrive at the Animals’ Winter Olympics with dreams of winning gold as Antarctica’s first synchronized swimming team. But first they find out that swimming isn’t even an event at the winter games, and then Gertie’s good-luck pin gets stolen-along with the other athletes’ lucky charms. Can readers find the clues hidden in Gus’s snapshots and help solve the crime? ... Read more