Encounter At Easton

Night Journeys #2

by Avi

The powerful sequel to Night Journeys, by the Newberry Award nominated author AVI. Runaways Robert and Elizabeth hope to find work and freedom in the town of Easton, but Elizabeth is badly wounded. Robert does all he can to keep her alive, but he's scared and confused. He needs help from someone, an adult. Should he trust the wild woman of the woods? Or is the friendly man he meets in town worthy of his trust?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Childrens

138 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Avi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Nothing but the Truth, and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so sad for the young hero in the story who was smart and brave and caring, and for "mad" Moll, who had no one to befriend her and help her. I was disgusted at the adults who were selfish and arrogant. this was not a happy story.

[Georgene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is the sequel to Night Journeys, where Robert and Elizabeth escape from their master (they are both indentured servants) and try to make it to Easton, a town in Pennsylvania where they might be able to get jobs and be protected from being recaptured. But in this story, Elizabeth is hurt and she develops a fever after her wound becomes infected. Robert must try to find help for them both because they have no food or money, but his only chance is to trust a man he meets who might be looking for Elizabeth so that she can be returned to her master. He leaves Elizabeth with a crazy old woman who might be able to take care of her. This story takes place in the year 1768 and is told as recorded testimony during some sort of hearing.
This book wasn't as good or as exciting as Night Journeys. I was disappointed and young readers may be too. Be aware that the crazy old woman was supposedly raped by a soldier and then rejected by her family and her fiancé. That is why she is crazy. This seems a little intense for young readers and may need some explaining from an adult.

[Mark R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

**1/2

I picked up this book due solely to the fact that I'm from the area depicted in the story and title. Realizing it was a "part two," I also sought out a copy of the first book, "Night Journeys". I believe "Encounter at Easton" is the more well-known of the two, though it is without doubt the inferior book.

Whereas "Night Journeys" is written in an engaging, descriptive but simple style, with interesting characters and decent dialogue, "Encounter at Easton" follows a very dull format, each chapter being an excerpt from one character or another's testimony at a deposition. Yawn.

The story kind of stinks, too. I enjoyed the references to my hometown and surrounding area, but there wasn't much else here that I could get into.

[Eliana Witek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written but the ending is kind of disappointing. Night Journeys was better.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The format was weird

[Miss Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

gr 5-8 ? 138 pgs


sequel to "Night Journeys"

1768, Pennsylvania. Alternates mostly between Robert Linnly, a runaway indentured servant, and Nathaniel Hill, the man being paid to catch them. Robert struggles to get himself and fellow runaway servant Elizabeth to Easton. He discovers that Elizabeth is injured from a gunshot wound and asks "Mad Moll" for help. Not realizing Nathaniel Hill is after them, Robert agrees to work for him. Once he realizes who Hill is after, Robert worries about how he will prevent Hill from finding them.

The "Mad Moll's" backstory makes this a better read for older readers. I think this story would appeal to readers who enjoyed the Crispin books since it seems to include period English (more so than the first book "Night Journeys".

[Kellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encounter at Easton is the sequel to Night Journeys. I found the story of these indentured servants intriguing as it offered a picture of early American history seldom revealed.

This is a great adventure and appeals to boys

KL

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Night Journeys. The runaway children escape from their master, and head for New Jersey, but Elizabeth is injured, and they must find a place for her to rest. The author uses an unusual style of writing, in which he compares each event from four different people's viewpoints.
Warning: Sad ending. Grades 4-6.

[Mary Gilmartin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because of the history that AVI added to it. The testimony of Nathaniel Hill of Trenton, the testimony of Mr. John Tolivar, Gentleman of Trenton and the young boy, Peter York along with the girl known as Bet, short for Elizabeth, is an interesting read. It has a surprise ending.

[Cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marked children try to run from a life of slavery.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

neat-tells story from many perspectives-try to write this way

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending is really sad, but the way the story is told is really neat.