Books with title Into the Hornets' Nest

Scotland and America, 1774. Thirty years and one generation after Highland Rebel, the Camerons have returned to Scotland and are living under the English occupation with their five children. Ronald and Lauchlin, the oldest, wage private war, presently abetted by third cousin-twice-removed ‘Uncle’ Matthew, Jade’s younger brother, and as reprehensible as she could have wished. To avoid being hanged, the three go to the loyal Tory Lennox cousins in Virginia. A lot of opinions get revised before they end up having a go at a third King George. And while Rory returns to his beloved Highlands, Lauchlin marries the teasing Andrew Dare who adores her irrepressible ways.

How much would you sacrifice for a stranger? What if that stranger just saved your life? September, 1861. Thirteen-year-old Jesse Keane is pulled from the creek by a runaway slave who wants to return to his family in Tennessee - a Rebel state. Jesse knows he can smuggle his rescuer to the county line, but his simple plan is soon complicated. Along the road to Tennessee, Jesse learns the true meaning of family. This middle grade historical adventure was awarded the SCBWI 2008 Work in Progress Grant Letter of Merit. The short chapters and low word count are ideal for reluctant readers.

How much would you sacrifice for a stranger? What if that stranger just saved your life? September, 1861. Thirteen-year-old Jesse Keane lives on a small farm two miles downstream from Camp Hunter, a Union cavalry training ground in central Illinois. His meager salary for cleaning stables and tending horses is all that keeps his mother from banning him from the camp. She doesn't want to lose another son to " Mr. Lincoln's Crusade." Jesse is crushed by the battlefield death of his older brother, but feels invisible to his grieving parents. He buries himself in his work, until the morning he falls into the creek and is rescued by Canaan, a runaway slave. Canaan has escaped north, but now wants to reunite with his family in Tennessee. Out of gratitude, and for the promise of adventure, Jesse offers to help. But the local Underground Railroad seems only concerned with spiriting slaves north. He convinces his captain at camp to employ him as a courier, which will allow Jesse to secretly scout a safe route south. Along the road to Tennessee, Jesse learns the true meaning of 'family'. Winner, SCBWI 2008 Work in Progress Grant Letter of Merit. Ideal for reluctant readers.

This illustrated novel was published in 1917.Book Excerpts:The Girl walked down Fifth Avenue from Fifty- ninth street, while the Ghost walked up from Four- teenth. Since they were on the same side of the street, their passing was as inevitable as it was un- premeditated. Converging rays from widely differ- ing spheres, they were destined by the sheer logic of direction to meet. The Girl's name was Muriel Fletcher, and she was about twenty years old. Now and then as she walked, some one would turn to look at her. Her individual- ity was even more arresting and vivid than her looks, and yet upon that mere question of looks she was not easily to be ignored. There was a sort of vital glow about her, but it was the glow of fire not of sunshine, and it had its contrasting one might better say, its corresponding gloom, a gloom with an edge on it. No matter from what point of view one took her, whether mental or physical, one quality always seemed to contradict another. Her melody had its dis- sonances. ......................................................................................Mr. Whitefield's secretary, young Everett Bab- cock, had just told the chauffeur that instead of hav- ing the motor before the front door at exactly twenty minutes to eleven, the invariable custom every busi- ness day in the year, it might not be required at all ; Mr. Whitefield hardly thought he would go down to his office. Then, telephoning one or two more mes- sages, he returned to the study to receive any further orders which might be issued. This room, which had been invaded the night before by policemen and detectives, not to mention reporters, now showed no trace of these rude presences. The dusty bootmarks of many feet, the litter of cigar and cigarette stubs which had been strewn heedlessly over the broad hearthstone and handsome rugs, the disorder caused by books, papers, and ornaments having been indifferently disturbed in the unavailing but con- scientious search for clues, these had all been removed......................................................................................He walked over to the safe which he had left open, and laid the papers inside. Then he came back with a package of bills, and placed it on the table before her. " There, my child, are fifty thousand-dollar bills, and I may say that I have never paid out fifty thousand dollars before with more pleasure, or to better advan- tage." Her eyes widened, her color came and went. She picked up the money in a frightened sort of a way. Her supreme self-confidence vanished ; she appeared all at once very small and meek. Slowly, and still in a bit of a daze, she turned over the crisp, rustling notes.

Following an extraordinary cast of characters, American, British and Indian, and their loved ones on both sides of this violent conflict, Jimmy Carter brings to life the Revolutionary War as it was fought in the Deep South. At the heart of the story is Ethan Pratt, a farmer in Georgia who is drawn into the war after not only his brother and his best friend are killed, but also his son. This powerful and moving personal tale forms the centre of a glorious novel that paints a vivid and resonant picture of desperate warfare, ever-shifting allegiances, the massacre of innocents, and increasing political dissent. With its moving love story, vivid action and the suspense of a war fought with increasing ferocity and stealth, THE HORNET'S NEST is historical fiction at its very best.