Kathleen Ernst

Caroline Abbott loves sailing on Lake Ontario with her father, a master shipbuilder. But when the War of 1812 breaks out, Caroline’s father is taken prisoner, and everything changes. When Sackets Harbor is under attack, Caroline makes an exceptional sacrifice to defend it. She’s determined to make her father proud by staying steady and helpful at home. Then she goes on a risky voyage to deliver a secret message to her father. But will her message help him to escape?

What if you suddenly found yourself in Caroline’s world, right in the middle of the War of 1812? How would it feel to know your home is under attack and how would you stay strong during such a scary time? Join Caroline on adventures where the two of you could find ways to help the Americans win, confront a possible spy, or even plunge headfirst into ice cold Lake Ontario! Your journey back in time can take whatever twists and turns you choose, as you select from a variety of exciting options in...

Molly still does her patriotic duty to help America win World War Two, but in the spring of 1945 she's weary and troubled. Dad is home safe…but he seems different now. Her archrival at school is driving her crazy. And someone is sneaking into the backyard shed and messing with the scrap she's collecting for a wartime drive. Is the intruder her classmate, her own brother, or a prowler in the night? A Looking Back section discusses the challenges that faced veterans' families.

Kit Kittredge is back, in a mystery that takes place in the Cincinnati Zoo! Kit lands a summer job writing a children’s column for her local newspaper and looks for story ideas at the Cincinnati Zoo, where her friend Stirling works as a guide and her old friend Will, the hobo, has a job cleaning cages. As Kit noses around, she stumbles into some strange activities in the monkey house. Meanwhile, Kit begins to notice small things missing at home too. It’s not long before Will looks like the...

Everyone has been anxiously waiting for the supply boat, but just as it’s finally coming into view, Caroline realizes the ship is at risk. What can she do make sure the supplies arrive safely? Then, while helping on her uncle’s farm, Caroline bravely keeps watch for a thief who has been stealing vegetables, and discovers that someone else needs her help. But when will she get to go home to Sackets Harbor?

“My name is Felicity Merriman,” says a girl your age. Instead of shorts or jeans, she’s wearing a long blue gown. “Have you just arrived in the city?” She must be one of the junior interpreters, you think. She’s really good, like an actor. You decide to play along. “It seems so.” Felicity nods. “Many have arrived since the royal governor schemed to steal the colonists’ gunpowder in the dark of night. Patriots have been streaming into Williamsburg like a river in flood!” What if you...

Kit is visiting Aunt Millie in Mountain Hollow, Kentucky, in 1934. When a professor arrives to study Kentucky mountain traditions, Kit is thrilled to help with her research-until it becomes clear that somebody doesn't want outsiders nosing around. Kit decides to find out who's making trouble, even if it means venturing into Lonesome Hollow in the dark of night. You will love solving the mystery right along with Kit. An illustrated Looking Back section gives you information about the...

Josefina has heard tales and legends all her life: rumors of gold and silver buried in the hills, and even stories of a ghostly Weeping Woman who haunts the countryside. She never imagined that such tales might be true until the day a mysterious stranger arrives at her rancho. Could all these stories lead to the discovery of a long-lost treasure or a terrifying omen? Includes a glossary of Spanish words and an Inside Josefina's World essay about New Mexican legends.

Kirsten Larson has been living on the Minnesota frontier for a only a few weeks when her neighbor and friend, Erik Sandahl, disappears. Erik had promised to help the Larsons at harvest time, and he owes Uncle Olav money. Everyone believes Erik has run out on his promises-except Kirsten. Can she figure out what's happened to her friend? Includes a glossary of Swedish words and a Looking Back historical essay.

The War of 1812 is still raging when Caroline goes to visit her cousin Lydia and Uncle Aaron's farm deep in the woods. While there, she finds evidence that someone is smuggling precious supplies to the British. She can't believe anyone would help the enemy during wartime! Even worse: could the traitor be her own uncle? Includes an Inside Caroline's World essay about smuggling during the War of 1812.

When Caroline learns that British spies may be lurking in Sackets Harbor, she is worried. Then, a long lost friend of Papa’s shows up in town. Papa is delighted to give him a job at Abbott’s Shipyard, but soon, strange things start going wrong. Caroline is sure a spy is making trouble at the yard–but is it one of Abbott’s trusted workers, whom she has known all her life, or could it be Papa’s dear friend? A Looking Back section discusses the role of spies in the War of 1812.