Orphan Journey Home (An Avon Camelot Book) - Hardcover

Ketchum, Liza

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0380978113 ISBN 13: 9780380978113

Publisher: HarperColl, 2000

Synopsis

When Jesse's parents decide to abandon their Illinois farm and return to their first home in Kentucky, Jesse is happy at the thought of seeing her grandmother again. Her older brother, Moses, would rather travel west, where the prairie goes on forever. He hates the idea of returning to a slave state and joins the family only reluctantly. But just a few days into their journey, Mama and Papa both die of the milk sickness.

Now Jesse, Moses, and the two younger children are orphans, and must make the long journey on their own, in a pioneer world where orphan children can be bound out and forced to live as indentured servants until they are grown. Armed with a letter of protection from their father and the heart and will to survive, the children brave the wilderness. They don't know whom to trust. Will they ever find their way to Kentucky? And when they do, will they have a home?

When Jesse's parents decide to abandon their Illinois farm and return to their first home in Kentucky, Jesse is happy at the thought of seeing her grandmother again. Her older brother, Moses, would rather travel west, where the prairie goes on forever. He hates the idea of returning to a slave state and joins the family only reluctantly. But just a few days into their journey, Mama and Papa both die of the milk sickness.

Now Jesse, Moses, and the two younger children are orphans, and must make the long wagon journey on their own, in a pioneer world where orphan children can be bound out and forced to live as indentured servants until they are grown. Armed with a letter of protection from their father and the heart and will to survive, the children brave the wilderness. They don't know whom to trust. Will they ever find their way to Kentucky? And when they do, will they have a home?When Jesse's parents decide to abandon their Illinois farm and return to their first home in Kentucky, Jesse is happy at the thought of seeing her grandmother again. Her older brother, Moses, would rather travel west, where the prairie goes on forever. He hates the idea of returning to a slave state and joins the family only reluctantly. But just a few days into their journey, Mama and Papa both die of the milk sickness.

Now Jesse, Moses, and the two younger children are orphans, and must make the long wagon journey on their own, in a pioneer world where orphan children can be bound out and forced to live as indentured servants until they are grown. Armed with a letter of protection from their father and the heart and will to survive, the children brave the wilderness. They don't know whom to trust. Will they ever find their way to Kentucky? And when they do, will they have a home?

About this title

About the Author:

Liza Ketchum is the author of several books for young readers, including Twelve Days in August and The Gold Rush. Her interest in American history was sparked by stories of her pioneer ancestors, which she heard from her older relatives while she was growing up. She is the mother of two grown sons and lives with her husband in Massachusetts, where she conducts writing workshops for students of all ages.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

"You children are stubborn and ungrateful," the widow says. "Moses's foot may never heal, if you keep traveling, and it's dangerous. Think how sick you were when we found you. And what about the little ones? Shouldn't they have a good home?"

Now she's making me mad. My face and neck feel hot. "They will have a good home," I tell her, forgetting that we don't even know if Grandma's still alive. "And if you want, we'll give everything back." I bend over to unlace my boots.

The widow puts out her hand. "Don't be so proud, Jesse. You children may keep everything I gave you. It's all useless to me now." She stalks out of the room.

"Whew." Moses lets out his breath with a sigh. "We sure made her cross."

"I don't care." I look up into his dark eyes, so much like Papa's. "You could have left us here, and gone west by yourself. Did you think of that?"

He looks a little ashamed. "Only for a minute. We're still a family, Jess." He reaches out his arms, pulling us all into a tight circle. "Even without Mama and Papa."

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperColl
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0380978113
• ISBN 13: 9780380978113
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176