Dave Jackson

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?

AMBUSHED IN JAGUAR SWAMP, Introducing Barbrooke Grubb --"Someday, foreigners will come who will reveal the mysteries of the spirit world." It seems clear to fourteen-year-old Kyemap that this ancient Lengua prophecy is fulfilled by Barbrooke Grubb. Kyemap wants to accept the missionary's teachings. But he fears the powerful witch doctors whose superstitious murders threaten the tribe's very survival. Kyemap's older cousin Poit takes an interest in the Englishman, too, offering to help him reach other Paraguayan tribes. But Kyemap knows his cousin only too well and suspects Poit is up to no good.Then Grubb takes a trip home, and Poit agrees to watch his herd of cattle. But Poit soon becomes impatient, butchering some cattle and holding feasts to impress tribal leaders. When Grubb returns and asks to see the herd, Poit leads him deep into the treacherous Jaguar Swamp. Kyemap fears the worst. Must he betray his cousin to protect the man whose message could save the Lengua people?Torn between his family and his future, Kyemap seeks the truth ...

SINKING THE DAYSPRING, Introducing John Paton --Working at the docks is a dangerous occupation--especially for someone who doesn't know how to swim. But it's all Kevin Gilmore can do to keep himself and his ailing mother afloat. When Kevin is suddenly fired one day, their lives are dealt a terrible blow. The next thing he knows, his mother is dead, and he's on his own. All Kevin has of value are the one hundred shares he and his mother bought from a missionary raising money to build a ship called the Dayspring. The new ship will bring supplies to missionaries living on the islands of the South Sea.When he hears that the very same missionary, John Paton, is in Australia again and ready to launch the Dayspring, Kevin goes to him to cash in his shares, but instead ends up traveling with the missionary on the boat's first trip to the islands. Will the infamous pirate ships that trade rum for goods capture them before the Dayspring is able to reach the island people?IT'S SINK OR SWIM FOR THE BOYWHOSE FEAR IS WATER. . . .

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...

ASSASSINS IN THE CATHEDRAL, Introducing Festo Kivengere --With the help of Uganda's famous evangelist Festo Kivengere, Yacobo Kabaza and his family move to the Ugandan capital, Kampala, where Yacobo's father will be the new driver for Archbishop Luwum. As part of the cathedral's upcoming Centennial celebration, the archbishop asks Yacobo, an aspiring author, to write a play about the legendary three boys who became Uganda's first Christian martyrs. The young teenager is thrilled.However, the growing reign of terror of General Idi Amin and his "Special Forces," who falsely suspect the church of helping the rebels, overshadows Yacobo's excitement. When the archbishop doesn't return from a meeting with Amin, officials claim he died in a "car accident." Kivengere is forced to flee the country. But the church bravely goes on with preparations for the Centennial, and Yacobo's play begins rehearsals, with his brother, Blasio, playing the youngest martyr. As the Special Forces circle closer, and the legend of the martyrs becomes alarmingly real, will Yacobo have the strength to survive?Faced with death, their weapon is love.

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. . . .

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?

DANGER ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE: Introducing D.L. Moody -- Fourteen-year-old Casey Watkins wants nothing more than to escape his family's dreary, bare-bones life in the Philadelphia of 1893. When he learns of an opening in Adam Forepaugh's Circus, it seems like the perfect escape, and he convinces his mother and sister to join with him. Then "The Flying Eugenes," a family of trapeze artists, offer Casey a role in their death-defying act, and he is elated. Flying on the trapeze is more exciting than he ever dreamed The pressure is on-Casey has only a few weeks to learn the act before the circus arrives in Chicago in time for the famous World's Fair. Once in Chicago, the boy is fascinated by D. L. Moody, the dynamic evangelist who preaches to standing-room-only crowds in the circus Big Top Sunday mornings. Casey never imagined that church could be more popular than the circus But then a dangerous accident leaves him paralyzed with fear, and he runs to Moody looking for a way out. Will the evangelist be able to help him?The circus is counting on him . . . what if he falls?

QUEST FOR THE LOST PRINCE, Introducing Samuel Morris --When the dying Kru king offers a ransom for his missing son, fourteen-year-old Jova determines to find Prince Kaboo, no matter what the danger. Without a prince to take the old king's place, his people will almost surely be defeated by their long-time enemies, the Grebos And as a former captive of the cruel Grebos, there is nothing Jova fears more.But Jova has a secret advantage over the other young warriors who set out on the dangerous quest-he knows where to look for the missing prince Only Jova followed Prince Kaboo when he miraculously escaped the Grebo village where they both were held. And only Jova knows the prince traveled to the dreaded "white man's city"-a place filled with people so strange-looking Jova was too fearful to enter. Now his search must take him right to that terrible place. What will he find when he arrives?For six long years, Jova has kept the secret. . . .

ABANDONED ON THE WILD FRONTIERIntroducing Peter CartwrightGilbert 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?

THE DRUMMER BOY'S BATTLE, Introducing Florence Nightingale --After their father dies, Robbie Robinson and his older brother, Peter, join the British army in order to make a living for their family. At first, army life is exciting, even fun. Then in 1854, they are sent to Russia to right in the Crimean War-Peter as a member of the famous Light Horse Brigade and twelve-year-old Robbie as a drummer boy. But the brothers are separated during the doomed charge of the Light Brigade, and Robbie fears for Peter's life.An injury to his left hand brings Robbie to Barracks Hospital in Scutari, Turkey, where he hopes to find Peter. Instead he meets Florence Nightingale, a nurse working hard to change for the better the way nurses do their jobs. Robbie becomes Florence's "right-hand man," running errands, delivering messages, and reporting alarming hospital conditions to her. But the doctors and officers running the hospital want to put a stop to Florence's improvements. Will Robbie and his friend find a way to succeed in spite of the challenges?Soldiers are dying all around him, and only Florence Nightingale can help save them

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 . . .

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. . . .

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?

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

TRIAL BY POISONIntroducing Mary SlessorImatu 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?

ATTACK IN THE RYE GRASS, Introducing Marcus and Narcissa WhitmanPerrin 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?

THE BETRAYER'S FORTUNEIntroducing Menno SimonsAdriaen 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