Product Description

It is 1777, and Phoebe is thrown headlong into the turmoil of war when her beloved cousin is hanged as a British spy. When she finds his secret message to the British general, she decides to deliver it herself to Fort Ticonderoga. She has never been away from her small village, and knows nothing about survival in the wilderness, or dealing with warring Patriots and Tories. She's going to need help to survive . . . but whose?

"A tense, atmospheric story . . . Brings to life this important chapter in American history." (Booklist )

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1344673 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9-Neither patriot nor Tory, Phoebe finds herself caught between conflicting loyalties. After her father is killed fighting for freedom with the rebels, the 15-year-old lives with her Loyalist relatives in the mountains along the Vermont/New Hampshire border. Her eldest cousin Gideon, who serves as a British scout, is caught and hanged in the village after he secretly returns. Phoebe's sense of love and duty compels her to try to complete Gideon's dangerous mission, and she sets out for Fort Ticonderoga through the wilderness. Her journey becomes a voyage of self-discovery as well as of survival. As the Loyalist families become increasingly persecuted, the teen joins the refugees heading to Canada for safety. She struggles to do what is right and stay true to herself, in the face of mistrust from her cousin Anne and other refugees who hold her father's "betrayal" against her. Lunn provides an eye-opening glimpse into a different aspect of this period than many readers will have encountered. Engaging, suspenseful, well-written historical fiction with excellent characterizations and a well-paced plot.
Robin L. Gibson, Muskingum County Library System, Zanesville, OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Janet Lunn is one of Canada's most well-known authors. Her novels include the best-selling ALA Notable Book The Root Cellar.

Customer Reviews

Loyalist Historical Fiction
Phoebe Olcott's mother died when she was young and she had to look after herself and her father. He was a teacher in New Hampshire and in 1775 he went to war to fight for independence from England. He died and young Phoebe went to live with her relatives who were Loyalists. She is a timid girl but determined as she finds herself trying to complete a mission for her cousin who was caught and hung for being a Loyalist spy. She wants no part of this war that separates families and drives neighbours out of their homes with very little to survive on.

This well researched historical fiction tells the story of how one girl found the courage and strength to do what she believed was right unbeknown to the people that she joined as they traveled towards Canada where they would be safe. On the way, she proves herself useful by taking care of other young children that no one seems to want. She also finds a special love with Jem Morrisey.

Some people just have to grow up fast and in strange and difficult circumstances. Phoebe is a girl who puts many of the other characters in the story to shame as she rises through all her challenges to be a shining star.

I really enjoyed this book.

It makes History come Alive!
Phoebe Olcott is amazing! She travelled all that distance tosave peoples lifes so the same fate that happened to Gideon would nothappen to others. Even though her father fought for the Americans and her uncle was a Loyalist she followed her own beliefs and struggles through the forest to met Jem Morrissay.

Wonderful book
I read this as a child and it gave me a wonderful perspective of the Loyalists that you may not get in a biased setting in the classroom. Also, the story of Pheobe and her journey was wonderfully written. It had adventure and self discovery all together.