Best-selling novels set in the early 1900’s in Minnesota, northwest Wisconsin, and Michigan, these compelling, historically accurate stories attract reluctant, average, and gifted readers. Both boys and girls identify with characters who face danger and mystery while learning to deal with peer pressure, family relationships, and the need for unconditional love and forgiveness.
When her Irish father dies in a construction accident, Kate O'Connell and her mother are left to struggle alone in the Minneapolis of 1906. Deciding that Mama needs help, Kate asks their pastor to pray about a new husband. But Kate's plan back [...]
In the darkness of a November night, Kate awakens to the murmur of voices. Listening in, she discovers that Papa Nordstrom must leave to work at a logging camp during the worst months of winter. Just as the family has come together, Papa must [...]
The warmth of Christmas Day fades into the dreaded fact that Papa Nordstrom must return to the dangerous work in the logging camp. Intending to get even with her stepbrother Anders for his mean tricks, Kate secretly plans a 13th birthday party [...]
On a cold January day, Kate walks three miles to pick up her family's creamery check, but discovers it was stolen the night before. No check means no money—at least for now. When Kate, Anders, and Erik discover some stolen loot, the mystery [...]
On a cloudless March night, Kate, Anders, and Erik spot a timber swindler, but are unable to see his face. Who is this man changing ownership marks on logs? If only Kate and the boys could have seen his face! When Mama receives word that her b [...]
What secret could be hidden in the one-room schoolhouse at Spirit Lake? From the very first day, the spring term promises to be different from any other in the school's history. First, there's a new student who's older than the teacher. At six [...]
Full of anticipation, Kate and her family wait for her grandpa and grandma from Sweden to arrive on the train. When the Blueberry Special comes in, and the last passenger steps from the train, Grandpa and Grandma are nowhere in sight. After Pa [...]
The circus is coming with the most daring acts ever performed....and a lot of trouble! The Nordstrom family travels to River Falls, Wisconsin to see the circus and stay with Kate's best friend from Minneapolis. Even Michael Reilly, another of [...]
Kate, Anders, and Erik travel to Michigan's Upper Peninsula where Kate's Irish relatives live as caretakers of a mansion. Kate is excited to meet her cousin Megan, and it turns out that the two girls could be twins—except for one important d [...]
Kate, Anders, and Erik head to a stable to buy a horse for Kate. A beautiful black stallion is for sale, but when she discovers she can buy two poorly cared for horses for the price of one, Kate strikes a deal. While riding home with Windsong [...]