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Apple Valley Mysteries
Jeanmarie and the Runaways
Jeanmarie and her friends become involved in the mysterious happenings near their home at the orphanage. As events unfold, the girls form a bond with their migrant neighbors while investigating a series of intriguing clues.
- GenresMystery
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
About the author
Lucille Travis
20 books4 followersLucille Travis has written several books for children, held children's writing workshops, taught college-level English, and lectured in Christian literature. Her interest in writing began as young girl living in an orphanage in upstate New York, and was encouraged when she received a bronze medal in a state-wide essay contest and later a poetry contest. One of her joys today is encouraging the efforts of young writers.
She has also been involved in Children's Awana clubs as a story teller, and while telling the story of Dr. Paul Brand's work with lepers, especially his long search for shoes that would protect their feet, the idea for the book "The Shoes that Love Made" came about. The story of Paul Brand, missionary doctor to Lepers in India and eventually world-wide, shows us how Paul Brand's own feet were protected and guided even in war time on the very path he was to follow, one that would forever change how the world saw lepers.
She has also been involved in Children's Awana clubs as a story teller, and while telling the story of Dr. Paul Brand's work with lepers, especially his long search for shoes that would protect their feet, the idea for the book "The Shoes that Love Made" came about. The story of Paul Brand, missionary doctor to Lepers in India and eventually world-wide, shows us how Paul Brand's own feet were protected and guided even in war time on the very path he was to follow, one that would forever change how the world saw lepers.
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
December 17, 2025
Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Christian
Fictionalized autobiography
The author was an orphan in an orphanage during WW2. So is Jean Marie, the main character.
Mexican illegal immigrants are Farm Hands during WW2. The book claims we couldn’t have won WW2 without them.
Illegal immigrants Juan and Serena (child siblings) want to escape the Farm Work to get better jobs in town. Their parents died and their “uncle” (he isn’t their real uncle — he lies about that and has fake papers) wrote to their grandfather that they died.
The orphans help the Mexican illegal immigrants escape. The orphans steal food, clothes, blankets, fuel, etc. for them.
Juan is very handsome and JeanMarie has the biggest crush on him.
Juan talks about how he is a man of honor, and how in Mexico, everyone has honor, so their word can be trusted.
Juan saves a drowning orphan girl.
Juan carves a bird necklace for JeanMarie.
They mention that
The white orphans and Mexican illegal immigrant orphans want to go to a party together, so they all put on “brown shoe polish” to use it as BLACK FACE and pretend to be AFRICAN AMERICAN “Tramps” and “Hoboes.”
That’s wild!!
Page 43:
“Police were beating the youths they arrested. Hundreds of innocent Mexicans were beaten; some were dragged out of streetcars, and many were arrested. The riots lasted for days. Many mothers of Mexican youths had to search afterwards for their children." Wilfred paused and wiped his forehead. "And similar incidents happened in other cities in other states too. It looks like Mexican labor is welcome, but some people don't want Mexicans living here."
Jeanmarie felt her stomach turn over. Where could Juan and his sister go on their own and be safe?
Mrs. Gillpin's face looked sad. "Class, these terrible things happen, but not everywhere. The Mexicans are noted for their hard work, their willingness to labor long hours. And here in New York as late as early September 20,000 workers were still urgently needed to harvest the crops. Right now with the war on the farmers couldn't do without the help of the workers the Mexican government sends."
Page 44:
“My prayer for each of you is that you never become the kind of man or woman who stands by and allows unfair treatment of any persons."
Page 54:
"Sorry," she said." left something down here last night." She didn't say it was two Mexican migrants.
Then Don Carlos — smuggler of illegal goods and human trafficker — comes back and kidnaps them.
Page 105:
“Instantly Juan came awake, but already a heavy boot against his chest pinned him to the floor. Don Carlos!
"Children, children," he said with his foot still on Juan. "How could you be so ungrateful?”
The white orphans tell the police, who accept Don Carlos’ (fake) papers claiming he is their uncle, and do nothing.
Page 118:
“I have no doubt you were both deceived by the Mexican boy, but can you tell me why that should excuse your behavior?"
Page 119:
“Runaways with no place to go are in grave danger of falling in with those who will exploit them and bring them harm. You would not wish that upon anyone." His voice became stern. "But if your plans to help those two had succeeded it might have brought them only sorrow and trouble in the end. Fortunately, they are safe with their uncle now.”
Page 126:
Jeanmarie had spread the drawing flat on the floor in front of the others. "That has to be Don Carlos's truck, and these two figures are Juan and Serena."
Maria gasped. "Look! Their mouths are taped and their hands are tied! What does it mean?"
Then the illegal immigrant orphans’ grandfather comes looking for them.
NOW the police help!
JeanMarie gets grounded and confronted about her stealing and lies.
The happy ending:
Juan and Serena go home to Mexico.
Page 140:
"Juan and Serena are safe and on their way home to Mexico. Dr. Werner made many phone calls on their behalf, and I made one myself to my missionary friend in the orphanage. The children will stay there once they arrive until arrangements can be made to contact their grandfather."
Jeanmarie could have hugged her.
Page 141:
"If you are willing, class, as soon as the weather permits in spring, we may see what we can do to fix up the migrant workers' place in the orchard. Next year's migrants will come to a clean, repaired house, with curtains on the windows and whatever else we can do to make them welcome."
Christian
Fictionalized autobiography
The author was an orphan in an orphanage during WW2. So is Jean Marie, the main character.
Mexican illegal immigrants are Farm Hands during WW2. The book claims we couldn’t have won WW2 without them.
Illegal immigrants Juan and Serena (child siblings) want to escape the Farm Work to get better jobs in town. Their parents died and their “uncle” (he isn’t their real uncle — he lies about that and has fake papers) wrote to their grandfather that they died.
The orphans help the Mexican illegal immigrants escape. The orphans steal food, clothes, blankets, fuel, etc. for them.
Juan is very handsome and JeanMarie has the biggest crush on him.
Juan talks about how he is a man of honor, and how in Mexico, everyone has honor, so their word can be trusted.
Juan saves a drowning orphan girl.
Juan carves a bird necklace for JeanMarie.
They mention that
The white orphans and Mexican illegal immigrant orphans want to go to a party together, so they all put on “brown shoe polish” to use it as BLACK FACE and pretend to be AFRICAN AMERICAN “Tramps” and “Hoboes.”
That’s wild!!
Page 43:
“Police were beating the youths they arrested. Hundreds of innocent Mexicans were beaten; some were dragged out of streetcars, and many were arrested. The riots lasted for days. Many mothers of Mexican youths had to search afterwards for their children." Wilfred paused and wiped his forehead. "And similar incidents happened in other cities in other states too. It looks like Mexican labor is welcome, but some people don't want Mexicans living here."
Jeanmarie felt her stomach turn over. Where could Juan and his sister go on their own and be safe?
Mrs. Gillpin's face looked sad. "Class, these terrible things happen, but not everywhere. The Mexicans are noted for their hard work, their willingness to labor long hours. And here in New York as late as early September 20,000 workers were still urgently needed to harvest the crops. Right now with the war on the farmers couldn't do without the help of the workers the Mexican government sends."
Page 44:
“My prayer for each of you is that you never become the kind of man or woman who stands by and allows unfair treatment of any persons."
Page 54:
"Sorry," she said." left something down here last night." She didn't say it was two Mexican migrants.
Then Don Carlos — smuggler of illegal goods and human trafficker — comes back and kidnaps them.
Page 105:
“Instantly Juan came awake, but already a heavy boot against his chest pinned him to the floor. Don Carlos!
"Children, children," he said with his foot still on Juan. "How could you be so ungrateful?”
The white orphans tell the police, who accept Don Carlos’ (fake) papers claiming he is their uncle, and do nothing.
Page 118:
“I have no doubt you were both deceived by the Mexican boy, but can you tell me why that should excuse your behavior?"
Page 119:
“Runaways with no place to go are in grave danger of falling in with those who will exploit them and bring them harm. You would not wish that upon anyone." His voice became stern. "But if your plans to help those two had succeeded it might have brought them only sorrow and trouble in the end. Fortunately, they are safe with their uncle now.”
Page 126:
Jeanmarie had spread the drawing flat on the floor in front of the others. "That has to be Don Carlos's truck, and these two figures are Juan and Serena."
Maria gasped. "Look! Their mouths are taped and their hands are tied! What does it mean?"
Then the illegal immigrant orphans’ grandfather comes looking for them.
NOW the police help!
JeanMarie gets grounded and confronted about her stealing and lies.
The happy ending:
Juan and Serena go home to Mexico.
Page 140:
"Juan and Serena are safe and on their way home to Mexico. Dr. Werner made many phone calls on their behalf, and I made one myself to my missionary friend in the orphanage. The children will stay there once they arrive until arrangements can be made to contact their grandfather."
Jeanmarie could have hugged her.
Page 141:
"If you are willing, class, as soon as the weather permits in spring, we may see what we can do to fix up the migrant workers' place in the orchard. Next year's migrants will come to a clean, repaired house, with curtains on the windows and whatever else we can do to make them welcome."
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