Books with author Hope Irvin Marston

Seventeenth-century Scotland is a place of cruel intolerance for the Covenanters, a people bound together by their loyal faith. A young, earnest Covenanter, Margaret Wilson finds her pledged loyalty to Christ and his covenant in opposition to King Charles II’s demand for her absolute obedience. Will Margaret choose to defy the authorities? Or will devotion to her family, love for her sweetheart, and hopes for future happiness rule her heart?

Isaac Johnson's life changed abruptly when he was seven years old. While his father was away, the sheriff came to the farm in Kentucky and took him, his mother, and brothers and sold them as slaves. Isaac never saw his family again.Isaac experienced all the cruelties of slavery. After the Civil War began, he ran away and joined the Union Army. Once the war ended, he made his way to Canada where he became an accomplished stonecutter. Churches, bridges, and other structures he designed and built still stand on both sides of the St. Lawrence River.Isaac Johnson married and had a large family. He wrote the story of his life as a slave to earn money to send his children to college. Hope Irvin Marston has based her account of Isaac Johnson on his book, Slavery Days in Old Kentucky, on extensive research about his life after slavery ended, and on contact with his descendants.

“Ain’t we ever gonna have a real fight?” Rankin muttered. It’s 1811 and eleven-year-old Rankin McMullin is ready for action. He has joined the warship Oneida to fight the British and end the laws that have forced New York farmers to become smugglers. As a powder boy on the brig, his job is to carry gunpowder to the carronades. When the shooting begins, the battle is seen through Rankin’s eyes. The unique way it is fought and the unusual way it ends surprises both sides. Rankin’s story is the first book about the opening battle of the War of 1812 at Sackets Harbor. The persons named and the events portrayed are real. Social Studies teachers will find this book useful in sharing a bit of neglected history with their students. “War of 1812 stories like this one bring history to life for today’s readers. Inspiring our youth through tales of grit and courage promotes character building qualities needed in life’s unpredictable journey.” Constance B. Barone, Site Manager, Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site“This is excellent historical fiction, based on fact. Readers of any age can enjoy it. Ms. Marston has done her homework” Gary M. Gibson, Ph.D., Naval Historian and Sackets Harbor resident