Into the Hornets' Nest

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.