If you’re looking for a newly published historical fiction book for your readers, ages 8-12, I recommend A Kidnapping in Kentucky 1776 by Elizabeth Raum (2022, Chicken Scratch Books).
Raum’s novel brings to life a three-day historical event through the perspectives of Jemima Boone and John Gass when Jemima and two of her friends were captured by Indians near the fledgling settlement of Fort Boonesborough.
The adventure alternates between Jemima, the thirteen-year-old daughter of Daniel Boone, and John, the twelve-year-old son of one of the other settlers.
Although historical children often had to take on responsibilities at younger ages than modern children do, Raum does a good job connecting Jemima’s and John’s fears and desires to ones current young readers also have.
Both characters deal with the consequences of their actions and face their fears.
Jemima realizes her selfishness has put her friends in danger and takes initiative to save them.
John wants to be recognized as a grown up (what twelve year old doesn’t, even now?), but learns he must prove his maturity.
Raum includes a glossary, a long list of sources, a timeline, and question-and-answer pages in her back matter.
She explains where the story and the facts differ, describes the tensions between the settlers and the Shawnee and Cherokee tribes over the land in Kentucky, and places the Kentucky situation in its context of the Revolutionary War between the Thirteen Colonies and Britain.
All in all, she tells a fascinating story, portrays the conflict between the Indians and settlers with balance and understanding, creates age-appropriate characters for their time, as well as writing an age-appropriate novel for modern children.
Although Raum has authored 150 published children’s books, this is her first novel with Chicken Scratch Books, a newer publishing company with the mission is to bring quality, agenda-free stories to children, ages 8-12.
Chicken Scratch Books also offers an online course (not just a guide, but a multi-week course) for young readers and an analysis course for writers with each of its books.
I’m impressed by Chicken Scratch Books and plan to read more the publishing company’s books. Please check out the company’s website.
For more information about Raum and her other books, visit ElizabethRaumBooks.com.
Had you previously heard of Jemima or John? Have you read other books by Elizabeth Raum or Chicken Scratch Books? Which ones?