Midnight Rescue

Freedom Seekers #3

by Lois Walfrid Johnson

Long ago Jordan's parents named him in the belief that one day he would lead his people across the Jordan River into the Promised Land of freedom. Now Jordan, as a newly escaped fugitive, plans how to rescue his mother, two sisters, and a brother from slavery.

But has an escaped convict crept aboard the Christina? Did he overhear Libby's talk with Caleb-her giving away of a life-or-death secret?

Sick at heart, Libby knows she has failed her friends. Not only has she risked Jordan's safety, she has endangered the mission to rescue his family. Will she ever be trusted to work in the Underground Railroad? If she takes part, can she be a Freedom Seeker who holds steady to go beyond fear?

Soon after Caleb and Jordan leave the Christina, a log raft on the Mississippi breaks up in front of the steamboat. With everything seeming to go against the rescue, will Jordan's practical skills and ability to recognize God leading make the difference between life and death? Or will the escaped prisoner rob Jordan, not only of his freedom, but also the freedom of his family?

In Midnight Rescue, the third Freedom Seekers novel, as well as others in the series, Lois Walfrid Johnson ends each chapter with a cliffhanger to build interest, valuable insights, and suspense.

The Freedom Seekers series is a six-novel middle-reader set in 1857. Feel the rush of immigrants to the new land, and the dangers of the Underground Railroad in these true-to-life riverboat stories.The characters will receive a heart-warming response from readers of all ages. Adult readers will ask themselves, "Would I have been one of those who helped runaway slaves?" Lois Walfrid Johnson uses strong historical research, great writing, and wonderful storytelling to bring alive a critical time in American history.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Christian Fiction, Christian, Middle Grade, Young Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
i’m loving this series !!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was good character development, but it was not realistic. The girl and her (guy friend) are 12 and 13, respectively, assumably because that is the age group to whom the book is geared. However, he is acting and being treated like a 16-20 year old of the time. She is allowed to go on a journey without her father or any chaperone with a single man she's never met before, and come back with said 13 year old kid, his friend and the friend's family, all who are running from slavery. And then there was the obvious interest between her and her friend. It just wasn't realistic and felt like a story about older teenagers with younger ages slapped on them to make it more appropriate/appealing to younger teens and tweens.

[Robyn Klepfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author! She does such a great job. My kids and I are all sucked into the plot ❤️

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Riverboat Adventures series. This series is about a young girl who becomes involved in the Underground Railroad while living on her father's Mississippi River steamboat in the 1850s.

It's May 1857, and the Christina, the steamboat that twelve-year-old Libby Norstad's father is the captain of, has arrived in Minnesota Territory. While the boat is docked, there is an escape from the local prison, and Libby begins to suspect the fugitive may have snuck onto the Christina. Even worse, someone overhears Libby talking to Caleb about Jordan, the runaway slave that is hiding on the Christina while making plans to help his mother and siblings escape to freedom. Libby fears she has ruined Jordan's chances of rescuing his family and feels terrible. She is determined to make it up somehow, but fears she will only make things worse. When she becomes a part of the plan to rescue Jordan's family, can she do things right this time?

Readers who enjoyed the first two books in the Riverboat Adventures series will most likely enjoy this one as well, although new readers should start with the first book, as it is more enjoyable that way. I did find that this book was a bit slower moving at times than the previous two books in the series. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, and finding out what adventures await Libby, Caleb, and Jordan next.

[Pathway Midland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourteen year old Libby Norstad travels with her captain father on his steamboat up and down the Mississippi and adjoining rivers in 1857. Her father and his cabin helper, fifteen year old Caleb, are involved in the Underground Railroad, and are harboring Jordan, a teenaged runaway slave. Jordan and Caleb plan to try and rescue the rest of Jordan’s family, and Libby desperately wants to help them. But her thoughtless words overhead by the wrong person put them all in jeopardy. Libby’s newly found faith is tested as they encounter danger from an escaped criminal, a band of outlaws, and the slave traders. Although she struggles to earn trust again from Caleb and Jordan, her artistic skills become critical in the success of their daring plan.

I recommend Book 3 in Johnson’s Freedom Seekers series (formerly published as The Riverboat Adventure Series) targeted for young readers (age 10 and up) who love history and adventure stories. Each book in the series stands alone, although taken in order they tell a larger story. There is an extensive study guide at the end, helpful for homeschoolers or teachers using this book as a literature assignment.

Reviewed by Suanne Shidler

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving them more and more!