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While tensions between the North and the South gradually increase all around him, eleven-year-old Austin faces troubles of his own as a hostage in pre-Civil War Charleston
199 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1998
27 people want to read
About the author
Nancy N. Rue
224 books291 followersNancy Rue is the author of over 100 books for adults and teens, including the Christy Award-winning The Reluctant Prophet, Unexpected Dismounts and Healing Waters (with Steve Arterburn), which was the 2009 Women of Faith Novel of the Year. She travels extensively—at times on the back of a Harley—speaking to and teaching groups of women of all ages. Nancy lives on a lake in Tennessee with her Harley-ridin’ husband, Jim, and their two yellow Labs (without whom writing would be difficult).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 22, 2011
It was a very good book
May 22, 2023
Always one of my favorites of the Charleston Years! This one has quite a bit of time in Charleston, and we get some new characters, some shocking new developments and some wonderful character growth all around. I am quite fond of this one and having not read it in many years, was genuinely surprised by a few of the more climactic moments! Only one book to go.
August 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this story! could hardly put it down! Setting is Charleston, after Lincoln's election & during secession.
This story begins with Henry-James asking Austin Hutchinson where he had been. Henry-James didn't know anyone else who could get in as much trouble, his mouth got him is so many messes! Austin's cousin, Charlotte Ravenal, joined them & wondered what mess Austin had gotten in this time. Austin had listened instead of talking, & Charlotte wanted to know what he had heard. Vigilance Committees had formed, they were afraid of slave uprisings since Lincoln had been elected. As they talked about Uncle Drayton, he joined them. There were times that Austin wanted to be like him. When Austin asked if Uncle Drayton thought there would be a war, he became thoughtful. If South Carolina broke away from the Union, he thought there would be. Three men came to talk to Uncle Drayton, one of them bellowed! He asked how much rice Uncle Drayton had harvested. One of the men, Virgil Rhett, pointed out that Uncle Drayton wouldn't have any slaves to help with his plantation if Abraham Lincoln had his way. Uncle Drayton pointed out that Lincoln said that he would not free the slaves that they already had. Virgil Rhett told Uncle Drayton that they had come to warn him. Was this another empty threat? Uncle Drayton was to get the abolutionists (Austin, his mother & brother) out of his house. Rhett & Chestnut finally left, much to everyone's relief. Charlotte reminded Austin that they were going to Charleston for Christmas & the social season. Austin wanted to hear about Christmas at Canaan Grove. They tried to go home, but the carriage was stopped when they heard someone telling the slaves to quit. Uncle Drayton got out of the carriage, but prevented the children from doing so. The crowd decided to tar & feather the abolitionist. Charlotte didn't know what that meant. Before they could get back in the carriage, Austin was recognized as Wesley Hutchinson's son and hit in the face with something hard & foul.
This story begins with Henry-James asking Austin Hutchinson where he had been. Henry-James didn't know anyone else who could get in as much trouble, his mouth got him is so many messes! Austin's cousin, Charlotte Ravenal, joined them & wondered what mess Austin had gotten in this time. Austin had listened instead of talking, & Charlotte wanted to know what he had heard. Vigilance Committees had formed, they were afraid of slave uprisings since Lincoln had been elected. As they talked about Uncle Drayton, he joined them. There were times that Austin wanted to be like him. When Austin asked if Uncle Drayton thought there would be a war, he became thoughtful. If South Carolina broke away from the Union, he thought there would be. Three men came to talk to Uncle Drayton, one of them bellowed! He asked how much rice Uncle Drayton had harvested. One of the men, Virgil Rhett, pointed out that Uncle Drayton wouldn't have any slaves to help with his plantation if Abraham Lincoln had his way. Uncle Drayton pointed out that Lincoln said that he would not free the slaves that they already had. Virgil Rhett told Uncle Drayton that they had come to warn him. Was this another empty threat? Uncle Drayton was to get the abolutionists (Austin, his mother & brother) out of his house. Rhett & Chestnut finally left, much to everyone's relief. Charlotte reminded Austin that they were going to Charleston for Christmas & the social season. Austin wanted to hear about Christmas at Canaan Grove. They tried to go home, but the carriage was stopped when they heard someone telling the slaves to quit. Uncle Drayton got out of the carriage, but prevented the children from doing so. The crowd decided to tar & feather the abolitionist. Charlotte didn't know what that meant. Before they could get back in the carriage, Austin was recognized as Wesley Hutchinson's son and hit in the face with something hard & foul.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews