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Audiobooks Narrated by Alston Brown
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Life at Deacon Smith's Home for Waifs would be completely dreary if it weren't for Possum's best friend, Billy, who "thinks up lies faster than he can talk" and provides plenty of excitement for the other boys. When Billy hears that gold is hidden in the mountains-"Great big chunks of it, some of 'em big as your fist"-he plans to escape, taking Possum with him. The two runaways embark on a journey in search of their dream-the gold that will lead to a better life. To earn enough money for their adventure, they join Professor Alberto Santini, "savant of the healing arts," and his road show. The professor teaches the boys how "spieling" can make a buck, but it's only the professor who seems to be earning any money. Just as Possum and Billy realize that they've been conned, they get tangled up in a murder. The boys try to keep ahead of the law as they continue their search for gold, but their friendship becomes strained as Possum begins to feel more and more different from Billy. Is the boys' friendship strong enough to carry them through to the end of their journey?
"A small gem from an award-winning author...The book's momentum is sustained by the author's wonderful use of vernacular and the friendship / tension between the boys."-School Library Journal
A vivid portrayal of the Civil War, and a look at the reasons behind the conflict. Johnny Heller, 14, convinces his mother to let him join a wagon train carrying food to Confederate soldiers. Along the way he's captured by Blue Coats, and a black Union soldier insists that Johnny teach him to read. Brought up to believe that black people are inferior, Johnny deliberately tricks him. But as they get to know each other an uneasy alliance develops, followed by a friendship that surprises them both.
Early Whitcomb's family needs a miracle. Their Iowa farm has been in the family for generations, but a long drought has withered their savings and left them in debt - and in danger of foreclosure. Early's uncle, Jesse, thinks he has the solution: to head West and dig for gold. Fueled by reports of prospectors striking it rich in the Rocky Mountains, Jesse can't think about anything but gold. Early is wild to go with him, as much for the adventure as for the gold. But the journey costs money-more than the boys can afford-and when Jesse flees during the night, after being accused of a robbery, Early doesn't know what to believe. Then Jesse sends an electrifying message-that he has found gold, but his life is in danger-and Early knows he must do whatever it takes to find him. The journey is dangerous and full of hardships, and the closer the travelers get to their destination, the more ruined lives they encounter-lives consumed by the hunt for gold. Then to his horror, Early learns that Jesse has been accused of another, much bigger crime. Somehow, Early must get to him without leading Jesse's pursuers right to his door. And even if he succeeds, Early will still have to make the hardest choice of his life.
