Orphan Runaways

When twelve-year-old Danny and six-year-old Judd lose their parents to pneumonia in 1878, they are sent to an orphanage in San Francisco. The headmaster wants to separate the brothers and send them to different families, but because they have only each other they escape. They make their way to the dangerous mining camp of Bodie, California in the High Sierras to be with their Uncle Hank. A tenderhearted croupier named Madame Mustache takes them under her wing, along with other orphans roaming the raucous town. When the boys find their Uncle Hank and learn he's involved with a Chinese woman, they realize life with him won't be what they had expected. Then Judd becomes sick, and Danny must decide if he's willing to set aside his prejudice to have a real family again.

Historical fiction at its finest: short chapters & high adventure for reluctant readers. Great for classrooms studying California history; highly recommended by 4th grade teachers.


Genre: Children's Fiction