In the Face of Danger

Orphan Train Adventures #3

by Joan Lowery Nixon

Shy Megan Kelly cannot forget the day a gypsy read her palm announcing to all that she would bring trouble to those around her. Afterward, trouble does follow her, until she takes the necessary steps to free herself from the burdens of fear, loneliness, and superstition.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Middle Grade, Juvenile

151 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Author of more than one hundred books, Joan Lowery Nixon is the only writer to have won four Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Juvenile Mysteries (and been nominated several other times) from the Mystery Writers of America. Creating contemporary teenage characters who have both a personal problem and a mystery to solve, Nixon captured the attention of legions of teenage readers since the publication of her first YA novel more than twenty years ago. In addition to mystery/suspense novels, she wrote nonfiction and fiction for children and middle graders, as well as several short stories. Nixon was the first person to write novels for teens about the orphan trains of the nineteenth century. She followed those with historical novels about Ellis Island and, more recently for younger readers, Colonial Williamsburg. Joan Lowery Nixon died on June 28, 2003—a great loss for all of us.

Reviews

[Fatma Al Zahraa Yehia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rarely do old forgotten books fail to surprise me with an enjoyable reading. In a journey through time, we are taken to the 1860s Kansas prairie right before the spark of the American civil war.

The writer beautifully portrayed the toughness of the pioneer's life on the prairie, yet depicted how the hardships and struggles of that life made those people more emotionally tied to their land, and how that place got its inhabitants closer to each other..

The story is one of a series that follows an important stage of American history "the Orphan Train welfare program" that lasted for more than 70 years. In this story, the author chooses a 13 years old Irish immigrant girl who had to be separated from her impoverished family and go to live with another family as it is the way with all orphan train kids at that time.

Favoring to tell a feel-good story, The author makes up the girl's painful separation from her mother and siblings with a family that gave her love and devotion.

In a fast-paced narration, I followed Megan's first months with her adoptive family and how she was bravely trying to adapt to a new way of life and how she was trying to stop herself from thinking of her family that she had to leave behind. The moments when she was missing her mother broke my heart. I know how is it painful to hide your feeling with longing for someone who you don't know if you will ever be able to meet again or not.

The side story of "Ada Haskill", Their arrogant selfish new neighbor, was a funny and amusing addition to the tale. The reader couldn't stop himself from sharing Browder's family feeling relieved when she left the neighborhood.

That story would give warmth to those who are looking for an intimate sweet reading..

[Elsa K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember liking the character of Megan a lot as a kid, but I feel like she gets the most overlooked. I thought the part about the gypsy was a little cheesy, but overall I still enjoyed it.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

didn't read Megan's part of the series the first time around years ago, so I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed it. Poor Meg got the "Beth March" edit, the shy, quiet, boring one, and as a result, is easily overlooked both in the story and to the reader. It is a shame, because In the Face of Danger is not only better written than the first two books in the series, but also a great (and realistic) tale.

In In the Face of Danger, Meg is sent to live far away from her brothers and sisters to the territory of Kansas. Also unlike Peg and Danny, and Frances Mary and Petey, she is adopted without a sibling to cling too. Meg believes herself to be a "bad luck penny" because of what a "gypsy" told her when she was younger. Because of this, Meg fears that all the family's troubles are because her her. Adding this to her general characterization of being shy and sensitive, Meg is the child both Frances Mary and their mother worry the most about.

However, after reading the story in which Megan meets head on all the obstacles of prairie life with a refreshing sense of humbleness and practicality, it is clear that Meg is the one Kelly child who will be just fine. She's brave and takes to action (see the climax in which Meg singlehandly takes down a rouge outlaw) while Frances Mary merely lets life happen to her. Mike's still the most interesting sibling, but through Meg, the reader is allowed to experience the frontier in a realistic and entertaining way. A must read for young adults who wish to see first hand how the Kansas prairie may have been like on the eve of the Civil War.

Merged review:

I didn't read Megan's part of the series the first time around years ago, so I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed it. Poor Meg got the "Beth March" edit, the shy, quiet, boring one, and as a result, is easily overlooked both in the story and to the reader. It is a shame, because In the Face of Danger is not only better written than the first two books in the series, but also a great (and realistic) tale.

In In the Face of Danger, Meg is sent to live far away from her brothers and sisters to the territory of Kansas. Also unlike Peg and Danny, and Frances Mary and Petey, she is adopted without a sibling to cling too. Meg believes herself to be a "bad luck penny" because of what a "gypsy" told her when she was younger. Because of this, Meg fears that all the family's troubles are because her her. Adding this to her general characterization of being shy and sensitive, Meg is the child both Frances Mary and their mother worry the most about.

However, after reading the story in which Megan meets head on all the obstacles of prairie life with a refreshing sense of humbleness and practicality, it is clear that Meg is the one Kelly child who will be just fine. She's brave and takes to action (see the climax in which Meg singlehandly takes down a rouge outlaw) while Frances Mary merely lets life happen to her. Mike's still the most interesting sibling, but through Meg, the reader is allowed to experience the frontier in a realistic and entertaining way. A must read for young adults who wish to see first hand how the Kansas prairie may have been like on the eve of the Civil War.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Megan's story, and I loved her adoptive parents, Ben and Emma. Megan's growth was fun to watch, but man, I got TIRED of hearing her inner thoughts on the gypsy curse. It was so annoying I almost gave the book 2 stars instead of 3.

Clean, wholesome story. Great family read!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it slightly more than the second book, and yes, I cried.

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this 3rd book in the juvenile series, “The Orphan Train Adventures,” Megan Eileen Kelly has been adopted by a nice couple who take her to live on the prairie in Kansas. Meg has always been unsure of herself, ever since a fortune teller once told her she was a “bad penny” that brought “bad luck.” Meg thinks every bad thing that happens proves the fortune teller right, and she fears her new parents will not want her. Her new mother reassures her that people should not be crippled by silly superstitions, instead they should realize that when bad things happen, overcome them with actions that are backed up with wisdom and insight. Meg realizes the truth of this in a rather humorous way when she tricks and catches an outlaw. As an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and highly recommend it for every girl and boy.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading these as a child and I absolutely loved them. I figure if the memory of a book has been able to stick with me for over twenty years it deserves four stars. I also remember that these were the first characters I cried for in a book, the first time I was moved to an outburst of emotion by written word. Those are the types of things that stick with a bibliophile.

Read in fifth grade.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for books that take place in Kansas when I came across this one and it brought back memories of my childhood. I had a few books in this series growing up and I remember this being one being my favorite, so I decided to do a reread. I can see why my younger self enjoyed this book so much. Megan is a kind, hardworking, and melancholy little girl who doesn't think very highly of herself. Megan and her siblings are part of the fabled Orphan Train after being given up by their mother who can no longer care for them. She is separated from her siblings and adopted by a very kindhearted couple from Kansas, where she has many adventures. Reading this book as an adult is obviously a very different experience especially as I noticed more of the racism that was typical back in that time. Other than that, it was an enjoyable book, and it makes me tempted to read the rest of the series.

[McKaela Magaldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, "In the Face of Danger", is book #3 out of the 7 series. It's realistic Fiction. In the book, "In the Face of Danger", Megan feels all of the bad things that have happened to her family, were all because of her. She was cursed by a gypsy that came knocking on their door, asking for money. The family had no money themselves, So the only option was to politely say no. The lady didn't accept that for an answer. Taking Megan by the grip of her hand, and putting a curse on her. Telling her horrible things about herself, and what bad she may bring to others. Megan had to hind all of her feelings in a ball, from her new family, to not bring any bad luck. Read to find out if she brings bad luck to her new family? Does she hear from her other family? Is the gypsy's curse real?
If you enjoyed, "A family apart; book #1, or, "Caught in the Act" book #2, you would probably find this book interesting to check out.
I think this book was very good. I think the book was well written!

[Christin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan, another of the Kellys, has been adopted by a loving family ,but taken far away from her brothers and sisters. Megan has always struggled with luck. She believes that she will bring bad luck to all those she loves. Will she be able to open up to her new family? Will she survive the hardships of living on the prairie?

[Amanda Weeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't quite as engaging as the first two in the series for me, but still a good read.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was one of my favorites as a child and I still really enjoyed it. The whole Indian and curse thing was really harped on and slightly annoying but it did end well.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan is so incredibly resourceful and competent, it is a little unbelievable. I want to be like her when I grow up!

[Kyla Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this series as a kid, and still remember the impact it had on me. A fun re-read and walk down memory lane.

[Ev Rennich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best Orphan Train book, but enjoyable nonetheless! My kids all begged to finish Megan's story.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nixon is seriously one of my favorite authors. She always delivers an engaging and educational read that's 100% appropriate. Gotta go put more on my to-read list!

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B-. fiction, children's fiction, upper elementary; children moved west; series (Orphan Train Quartet, #3)

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids were hanging onto every word of this book.

[Waterfall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Megan, and I think this is one of my favourite books in the series.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable middle grade historical fiction, the third in a series about Irish siblings sent west from Manhattan by the Children's Aid Society shortly before the Civil War. This is the first in the series that I've read, and though I missed some of the backstory, it stands alone fine, and I'd imagine most kids would want to read the rest in the series after reading this one.

[Jessica Richins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book of the Orphan Train Adventures follows Megan. She is separated from her siblings, and adopted by a young couple in the Kansas Territory just before Abraham Lincoln is elected president. She feels as though she is a bad luck penny because a gypsy once told her she was one. While living with her new parent, Megan learns to adapt to her new life and learn that she is more than just a bad luck penny.
Like the other Joan Lowery Nixon books I think the book was only mediocre at best. I don’t think that the characters were developed very well, and the plot didn’t seem to go anywhere. I think this book was for a younger audience, 11-13. It was a fun little story, but I didn’t feel like it got anywhere and was slow. The big point of the story was that Megan realized that she wasn’t bad luck. It took 150 pages to get there, but she figured it out.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan is a lot like Luke from the book Among the Hidden. Megan is a girl separated from the rest of her family to go live with the Browders in the west. Luke is a third child of a family and in his community they're not allowed to have more than two children. These two have plenty in common. They both are missing out in something very meaningful and healthy for life. Megan will not be able to experience some things you can only experience with your family. Luke will never be able to know what it's like to be free and go outside and play with friends. Without these experiences, they're not like the average person. I like Megan more because she is more stronger mentally. This book was very interesting but I would recommend it for girls only.

[Jared M · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Face of Danger by Joan Lowery Nixon was a good book. It had suspense and a good story line.
The book was about one of the original kids from the book The Orphan Train. Megan is a young girl who goes off to live with new parents, Ben and Emma, on the prairie. For most of Megan's life she has thought she was curse by an evil gypsy. The story is about her over coming this belief and starting to believe in herself.
I would recommend this book to anyone that has read the Orphan Train books or likes a good classic.

[Jenny Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the four first books in this series in a children's book club when I was young, and I remember loving them. I did not know that there are more books in the series until a couple of weeks ago (it's been over 30 years since I first read them), and I am now thinking that I need to get those books too and read them as an adult.
These books are very good. The story about sending poor kids out west in America to get a better life is heartbreaking, and I loved to see what became of all the siblings.

[Janie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series, and though some of plots were sad, I enjoyed reading the historic timelines, and the character descriptions were so well done, that they seemed very realistic. This book was actually based on true stories from during the middle 1800's, so many of the children's parents came from Irish immigrants, and were looked down upon in New York, where they lived in impoverished conditions.

[Katielin317 · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I loved reading this whole series together. There are so many things to discuss. The background of the story itself is a difficult one, but the main characters (the 6 children) are such wonderful examples of all sorts of admirable characteristics. My least favorite was the last book, as the ending was too unrealistic.

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

We loved the lesson of self worth in this book. My youngest, whom doesn't usually enjoy chapter books as much, loved this book. She loved all the animals mentioned in it, and thought Megan was "super smart!"

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're into this series! It makes us happy when the children get into happy, stable homes. This one had some excitement... wolves, fugitives... and women from the East who can't handle the roughness of sod houses. :) Very enjoyable book!

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another orphan train book and it along with all the other one's are amazing!

[Cws]

JAR5-Nix