The Devil's Highway

Two brave, determined young pioneers travel along the dangerous Natchez Trace in 1811, searching for their missing families.
Fourteen-year-old Zeb and eleven-year-old Hannah team up to make their way safely down the Natchez Trace from Franklin, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi. Zeb, who does not believe the story he hears that his grandfather was killed by thieves along the trail, is determined to find him. Hannah, who escaped from the treacherous Mason gang, hopes to be reunited with both her Choctaw Indian friends and her family.
When the two adventurers reach the Choctaw village, Zeb is befriended by the Indians and rewarded for his bravery through initiation into the tribe. However, as the children narrowly escape life-threatening situations along their journey, they still face challenges: can Zeb find his grandfather? Is he still alive?
In author Stan Applegate’s riveting adventure tale brought to life by James Watling’s illustrations, Zeb and Hannah learn to value each other’s survival skills and courage.

Applegate received his BA from Pennsylvania State University and his EdD form Columbia University.

Avi is the highly respected author of the Scott O Dell Award winning The Fighting Ground and the Newbery Honor Books The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing but the Truth. A former resident of Providence, Rhode Island, Avi now lives in Boulder, Colorado.

James Watling has illustrated many children s books with historical themes including The First Thanksgiving by Linda Hayward. He lives near Montreal, Canada.