Orphan Journey Home - Softcover

Ketchum, Liza

4.09

32 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0380809885 ISBN 13: 9780380809882

Publisher: Trophy Pr, 2002

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How will they ever get home now?

The year is 1828. Jesse and her family have left their failing farm in Illinois to return to Kentucky, where her grandmother lives. But everything changes when Mama and Papa both die a few days into the journey, and the four children arc left to finish it alone.

The wagon trails are more dangerous than they seem, especially for orphans, who can be captured and "bound out" as servants until they are grown. Will the children make it back to Kentucky? And if they do -- will they find a home there?

A spirited and stirring adventure story rich with historical detail, Orphan Journey Home charmed readers across the country through its first publication as a newspaper serial.

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About the Author:

Liza Ketchum is the author of several books for young readers, including Twelve Days in August and The Gold Rush. Her interest in American history was sparked by stories of her pioneer ancestors, which she heard from her older relatives while she was growing up. She is the mother of two grown sons and lives with her husband in Massachusetts, where she conducts writing workshops for students of all ages.

"You children are stubborn and ungrateful," the widow says. "Moses's foot may never heal, if you keep traveling, and it's dangerous. Think how sick you were when we found you. And what about the little ones? Shouldn't they have a good home?"

Now she's making me mad. My face and neck feel hot. "They will have a good home," I tell her, forgetting that we don't even know if Grandma's still alive. "And if you want, we'll give everything back." I bend over to unlace my boots.

The widow puts out her hand. "Don't be so proud, Jesse. You children may keep everything I gave you. It's all useless to me now." She stalks out of the room.

"Whew." Moses lets out his breath with a sigh. "We sure made her cross."

"I don't care." I look up into his dark eyes, so much like Papa's. "You could have left us here, and gone west by yourself. Did you think of that?"

He looks a little ashamed. "Only for a minute. We're still a family, Jess." He reaches out his arms, pulling us all into a tight circle. "Even without Mama and Papa."

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