Showing results by author "Victor Hess" in All Categories

As far as thirteen-year-old Montana MacCarthy is concerned every animal in the Glen Helen Forest is under her protection. That goes double for the pair of American Bald eagles nesting in the oak on Talus Trail. When the Glen director asks her and the Wesley Club to create a kid-friendly pamphlet about the animals as a summer project, they jump at the chance. Montana guides them through the forest as they sketch and photograph bobcats, foxes, skunks, bats, and, yes, the eagles. Their project uncovers a ring of poachers who are desperate to get the Glen’s only two American Bald Eagles and a...

The 1950’s was a time of new homes, television, astronauts, new cars, and rock and roll. It was also a time of nuclear threats and deadly polio. Out of this challenging decade comes the enchanting story of a ten-year-old boy from the Midwest showing a small town the meaning of toughness and tenacity. The Shawnee Indian treasure was a myth, they said. Nowhere to be found, except in the legends and tall tales of the region. Despite his polio, despite his poverty, despite his fractured family, Jesse Hall believes the stories and discovers irresistible clues in the courthouse clock tower. ...

Nine-year-old Florence Williams’ parents are sitting behind bars for a crime they do not remember committing. When they are sentenced to prison, she is left with nowhere to belong. For four years after their arrest, Florence moves from house to house, getting shelter but missing a loving home. Her grandparents don’t want her. She even runs away to find her aunt, but she is found and returned to the Children’s Protective system. Finally, her Aunt Audrey is old enough to take her in and Florence, now thirteen, joins a special group of kids who call themselves The Wesley Club; full of ...

For over four years, Jesse’s father’s addiction to alcohol and gambling deprives Jesse and his mom of basic necessities, overwhelming twelve-year-old Jesse Hall. He feels a need to help his family, but it causes him to neglect school so much that he is in danger of repeating the sixth grade. Jesse forges his mom’s name on his grade card and makes other bad choices. He thinks a lie will cover up his misdeed and is sure his sin is redeemable. Jesse blames all his problems on his father’s drinking and gambling and yearns for him to reform. Then, at the County Fair Jesse sees the worst ...

As far as thirteen-year-old Montana MacCarthy is concerned every animal in the Glen Helen Forest is under her protection. That goes double for the pair of American Bald eagles nesting in the oak on Talus Trail. When the Glen director asks her and the Wesley Club to create a kid friendly pamphlet about the animals as a summer project, they jump at the chance. Montana guides them through the forest as they sketch and photograph bobcats, foxes, skunks, bats, and, yes, the eagles. Their project uncovers a ring of poachers who are desperate to get the Glen’s only two American Bald Eagles and a...

Young Jesse Hall wants his divorced parents to reconcile. Jesse witnesses the pain his deadbeat dad inflicts while drunk and Jesse believes it’s the alcohol, not his dad. Not really. Despite Jesse’s fervent prayers, his dad keeps gambling, and remains an alcoholic while the family suffers. Jesse and his pregnant mom escape to a new town, and to make ends meet Jesse helps by delivering newspapers, selling abandoned pop bottles, and scavenging abandoned coins in vending machines while his mom sews and cleans for people in the town. As Jesse continues to pray and plead for his dad to ...