Books published by publisher Hatrack River Publications

Panagopoulos' award winning novel about Nicholas and Christopher, brothers who find themselves trapped in an 18th-century world of fur traders and Indians, has become a classic. A Historical- Fiction adventure tale about Great Lakes history, featuring Madame LaFramboise. Kids love the excitement of a great canoe race, while teachers appreciate the historical, fact-based details in this fun and educationally engaging story. A true classic.

Malaika and her brother Sammy have been arguing about the Underground Railroad when they are caught in an afternoon storm and whisked back into the lives of Malaika and Samson who are escaping slavery along the Underground Railroad. Separated from their mother, the pair make their way across the Ohio River to a stop on the Underground Railroad, the home of a Quaker couple who introduce them to Daniel; a crude but warm-hearted abolitionist.Reluctantly, Daniel agrees to accompany the youngsters on their journey through Indiana and Ohio to Detroit, Michigan, where they hope to rejoin their mother and take a boat to the safety of Canada. But the trip is fraught with danger as two slave-catchers chase the trio all the way to the border.In true Panagopoulos style, "Train to Midnight" gives readers an informative look into the past while skillfully combining the true adventures of the chase and the tension of a family's separation with the comic relief of her colorful, true-to-life characters.

"This is so unfair, " laments Gus McCarty, a twelve-year-old who first struggles at school with an obnoxious bully named Al, and then is reeled back in time to a lumberjack camp with an equally troublesome acquaintance named Alex. Added to Gus' dilemma are a camp full of rugged lumberjacks who think the youngster needs to know a few things about being a real 'jack.Gus' misadventures in lumberjack camp lead him from hilarious encounters with a three-legged cat named Betty, an army of lice and bedbugs in the bunkhouse, to a more serious and chilling escape from a cougar.But even in his misery, everything is not all trouble for Gus. Tommy, the camp's Irish barn boss, and Miss Addie, the camp cook, befriend the boy, and even the meanest 'jack in the camp, Rat-hole Andy, comes to Gus' defense."Journey Back to Lumberjack Camp " has much to say about the lumbering era in the 1800s western Great Lakes region, rich in detailed historical information, with a story and cast of characters that will keep readers smiling long after they have finished the last chapter.

Chris scoffs at his younger brother's enthusiasm for collecting rocks-particularly one Nick thinks is shaped like a turtle-and generally thinks that the eight-year-old is something of a wimp. But Chris's attitude is dramatically changed as the brothers suddenly find themselves trapped at dusk in a deep forest with eighteen-century fur traders. With the help of his turtle warrior rock and his new friends, Meggie La Framboise and her assistant LeClaire, Nick saves Chris from the clutches of an evil trader named McDougal. But the boys' adventures have only begun as they flee from McDougal to an Odawa Indian camp and then on to Mackinac Island. Traders in Time vividly portrays the variety of people involved in the fur trade and brings to life the sights, smells, and drama taking place along the shores of Lake Michigan and at Fort Mackinac in the late 1700s.

Young Disciples Volume 1: Deborah's mother is being crabby, not because Mother's new baby is almost due to be born. It's because Father and Mother keep the inn at Bethleham, and this week they have more guests than they ever thought possible. They're all coming to be counted in the Census, and somehow they all have to be given food and water and a clean place to sleep. With so much work to do, there's no time for Deborah to see her friend Andrew, the shepherd's boy that she has decided to marry when they both grow up. Now a couple from Galilee are at the gate, hoping, somehow, to get a room at the inn. There's not a speck of space. But the young woman is about to have a baby, just like Mother. Father can't turn them away, not when Deborah knows there is a place where they could stay.

"This is so unfair," laments Gus McCarty. The twelve-year-old struggles at school with an obnoxious classmate named Al, then is reeled back in time to a lumberjack camp where he must work with an equally troublesome boy named Alex. Adding to Gus's misery are the rugged lumberjacks who think he has a lot to learn about being a real jack. During his misadventures Gus has hilarious encounters with a three-legged cat, an army of lice, and the intimidating lumberjacks. In spite of Gus's troubles he learns much about lumbering, and eventually earns the respect of even the meanest 'jack in camp. But just as things are looking up, Gus has to face his most frightening opponent.

Eleven-year old Jennifer decides to humor her father by listening to entries in an old journal stored in the family trunk. Much to her surprise she becomes intrigued by the journal's writer, her ancestor, Jenny Case, a spunky New York farm girl who travels to the Michigan Territory in 1836.The Case family's journey begins along the Erie Canal on a boat owned by Jenny's young aunt and her difficult husband. Along the way Jenny befriends an orphan whom Mr. Case soon adopts. The two youngsters' adventures, combined with their determined protection of the orphan's wolf-dog, create drama and suspense both on the canal boat and the steamboat that the family takes across Lake Erie.Once in Detroit the Cases buy a wagon for the remainder of the trip to their new home. But the excitement does not end as the family is forced to cope with wolves, crude inns, and a cabin that does not quite match its sales description."Erie Trail West" involves the adventure, humor, accurate research, and cast of delightful characters for which Janie Panagopoulos' books are known. Added to this is the richness of the family's love and integrity that is reflected in every episode of this delightful story.

An accident during an afternoon storm sends Malaika and her brother Sammy back in time to the lives of Malaika and Samson, young slaves who are escaping along the Underground Railroad. Separated from their mother, the pair have made their way across the Ohio River and into Indiana where they meet Danile, a rough but good-hearted abolitionist. Reluctantly, Daniel agrees to accompany the children to Detroit where they hope to meet their mother and escape into Canada. But slave-catchers interfere and make their trip a harrowing one. Comic relief intertwines with drama in this touching novel. PUBLISHER'S COMMENTS: Panagopoulos continues to build a fan club of youngsters and teachers who use her books in their classrooms. She is simply a delightful writer and speaker who provides her readers with adventure, comedy and historical detail that you don't find in textbooks.