Chasing the Nightbird

by Krista Russell

A brave young protagonist must rely on his wits and his friends to navigate dangers and escape an unwelcome fate in this action-packed historical novel.
 
As the son of famous Black Jack Valera, the best whaler on the eastern seaboard, thirteen-year-old Cape Verdean Lucky Valera has led a charmed life. Then his father dies and his estranged half-brother Fortuna, kidnaps him. Lucky's hopes of joining the crew of the Nightbird are dashed as Fortuna forces him into servitude at a textile mill.
 
When Lucky meets Emmeline, a spirited girl with abolitionist sympathies, and Daniel, who has escaped from slavery, his dream to return to his old life once again seems within reach. That is, if he and his new friends can outwit and outrun Fortuna and an enraged slave trader, both of whom will stop at nothing to get back what they believe is their rightful property.
 
Krista Russell has created a fast-paced historical adventure that will keep readers hooked. Rich with historical detail, Chasing the Nightbird offers readers a glimpse into the past during a period of tremendous social and political upheaval, touching upon industrialization, the whaling industry in New England, and slavery.

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

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Krista Russell is a graduate of Seton Hill University's Writing Popular fiction program. A Massachusetts native, she now lives in Georgia.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Chasing the Nightbird. It was a fast moving and informative book. I thought Krista did a good job of incorporating the issues of that time into the book - slavery, shipping, millhouses. This will be a great read for middle schoolers.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucky Valera is a young boy about to set sail on the whaling ship The Nightbird. Before he can board he is snatched away by his brother Fortuna who is determined to make money off him by having him work at the local mill. With the help of Daniel, a fugitive slave working at the mill, and Emmeline, a local girl who strongly believes in helping others, Lucky tries to escape his new life.

Reading this spirited story, I formed the opinion it would be a great read of middle school boys. There is adventure and excitement, and even a bit of history hidden inside. When I reviewed the book info after finishing, I was delighted to see it will be marketed to just this audience.

My favourite character was Emmeline. She is so set in her beliefs that people need to be helped, and she will stop at nothing to be of assistance. She doesn't have the easiest life with her father off captaining a ship, her mother dead, and her stepmother a dreadful witch. But she still puts all her heart and soul into helping the abolitionists. This kind of attitude is a great example for young people to see and read about. Especially when it comes from someone their own age.

My least favourite character was Fortuna, and not just because he was the bad guy. I didn't like how one sided he was. Near the end there were hints that he wasn't evil just for the sake of being evil, but by then it was too late. I prefer my bad guys to have a bit more depth and some greyness to their character.

Overall, this was a good read for the intended audience. It would make a great addition to a history class teaching about slavery. Stories like this are a way to get students interested, and make history come alive.

[Catherine Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Chasing the Nightbird, a recently orphaned Cape Verde boy who dreams of sailing on a whaling ship is captured by his landlubber elder half-brother and forced into a servitude that keeps him from his sailing dreams. Without a way to get back on the ship, Lucky has to work at the mill so his brother can collect his paycheck to repay a debt that their father owed the elder son. While Lucky bemoans his 'slavery,' he becomes friends with Emmeline, a Quaker girl who is determined to follow God's law, not man's law, when it comes to slavery. He also makes friends with Daniel, a runaway slave boy who teaches Lucky the ropes of millwork. While Lucky starts out only interested in getting back onto the Nightbird, he starts to realize that his 'slavery' isn't nearly as bad as the slavery thousands are facing. He has to choose between getting himself to his 'freedom,' or helping Daniel and others safe from being forced back into slavery.

Set in New Bedford in 1851.


While I found this book initially difficult to get into (hence the 4 stars), I was thoroughly drawn into the story once we meet Emmeline and Daniel. This book is never preachy, and uses realistic instances to help Lucky understand the truth about slavery and unfairness. While what his brother does to him is not fair, he still learns real value and worth in what he can do for others. I found this an engaging and interesting historical. Russell does an excellent job with historical fact, weaving facts and information seamlessly. This is an excellent work of fiction that will delight middle grade readers and give them a historical view of slavery far from the cotton fields.

(copy provided by publisher)

[Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lucky is a sailor. Most of his 14 years have been spent on a ship with his father. The sea calls to him, it’s in his blood. Now that his father has died, Lucky is determined to join up with a new ship, The Nightbird, and start his own career as a sailor. Fortuna has different ideas though. He is Lucky’s half brother, and now guardian due to the death of their father. He forces Lucky to stay with him and work in the factory. Lucky plans and plots, trying to find a way to escape the factory and his no good brother and get onto a ship that will take him out of the country. In seeking for help, Lucky finds a couple friends. These friends lead him to thinking and helping with things bigger than himself.

Lucky was such a scrappy, likeable character. I was rooting for him from the very beginning. This is a book that approaches some important subject matter in dealing with slavery. It would be a good stepping stone into a deeper discussion with children about the struggles of the time period with slavery, the Underground Railroad and abolitionist work. This was not a light hearted read, but it was a good adventure for young readers. My favorite quote from the book was, “All the riches in the world won’t make you happy if you’ve got no anchor.” This book is written with the middle grade readers in mind (ages 9-12). This book is set for a September release. I read it courtesy of NetGalley.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have thought for days about what to say about this book. When thinking about books for children and teens, I first look at the entertainment value of a book and then the educational value of a book. Chasing the Nightbird was an interesting book that gave some insight to how lives were for children at the turn of the century. I don't, however, see this as a book that a child would pick up and read on their own.

The book's main character, Lucky, grew up with his father on a whaling ship. When his father dies, Lucky's brother takes custody of him and puts him to work at a mill. Lucky befriends Daniel, a runaway slave and Emmeline, a girl that is helping her Uncle free slaves.

I think this book would be a great read aloud title for a teacher to read so that the facts in the story can be discussed as reading. I don't think that a child would understand all the elements of the book reading it on their own.

[Timons Esaias · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the interest of full disclosure, I should admit that I'm one of the people mentioned in the Acknowledgments page of this book. I'm happy to say that I'm proud of that mention, though not quite sure what I did to deserve it.

This is solidly written, the pages turned easily (I read it while attending the Allegheny Regional Festival of Books, and I didn't have all that much spare time...), the characters are engaging, and also under serious threat. I liked this tale a lot.

It's historical fiction, set in the year 1851, in New Bedford, MA. It involves a set of ethnically diverse characters, in a town that was, in fact, ethnically complicated. It turns on the subject of slavery, the Fugitive Slave Law, the local resistances to the enforcement of that Law, and the tendency for free blacks to be swept up in the enforcement efforts. The characters are not cardboard cutouts, and there are interesting character developments; which is one of the key elements of good fiction.

One clever device, since the main character is a ship's boy, is that each of the chapters is named after an appropriate knot. That amused me a good deal.

Recommended.

[Athivx · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was really really really really boring, DO NOT GET THIS BOOK. It is boring boring boring boring and bad bad bad bad bad bad bad. It is the most boring and bad book I have ever read do not waste your time on this book!

[Chuba Is · Rating 1 out of 5]

dude i have to read this book in home schooling and its so so so so so so so so so boooooooooooooooooooooooooooring its not good dont waste your time on this book

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm I can’t say I really loved this book, but then I’m not the intended target audience either. I read Chasing the Nightbird fairly quickly (its only around 190 pages) and while it was enjoyable enough, ultimately I found it forgettable. I think I expected more going off the synopsis. So many books for younger readers nowadays are full of adventure and are so imaginative that Chasing the Nightbird pales a bit by comparison.

The entire story takes place in New Bedford where Lucky is trapped working at a mill after his less-than-loving brother kidnaps him and forces him to work as a spinner. I was a little disappointed that we never progress any further along than Lucky attempting to get back to the sea and his ship, the Nightbird. I would have liked to have seen some of these characters leaving New Bedford and traveling to far off places.

This is quite a short story and as such we aren’t given enough time to really get to know, or come to care for the characters. None of them had a distinct voice (Emmeline in particular felt more like a footnote, a means to an end) and while Lucky was nice enough and I was happy to follow his story, he never felt real to me. I also found the sailor’s slang difficult to get used to and some younger readers may be put off by it.

What Chasing the Nightbird does fairly well, is incorporate real historical events about the abolitionists, the life of a fugitive slave and the working conditions of the mills. But I have to admit, it is missing that certain something. It simply didn’t have as much depth as it could have. The inhuman conditions and the cruelty suffered is deliberately kept vague and while this is a book intended for 9-12 year olds, I think Russell should have taken more risks and trusted her audience more - as it was I didn’t feel upset or outraged or fearful for any of the characters. For a book that, presumably, aims to tell something of the slave trade and abolitionist cause, I don’t think it was hard-hitting or informative enough to make an impact.

While Chasing the Nightbird does provide some insight into an important part of history, I’m not sure it’s one kids will really come to love, or will want to revisit. I see this more as classroom book, good for opening up discussions amongst students, but not necessarily one they’ll find that entertaining.

[Aeicha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing the Nightbird by Krista Russell is a MG book, well suited for the 9 years and up crowd of readers. The novel opens in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1851 where we meet Lucky Valera, a young African American boy about to turn 14. Lucky has recently lost his father, a famous whaler, and is set to work aboard the beloved whaling ship the Nightbird, as a full fledged crew member. But Lucky’s dream of living at sea is waylaid by his mean half brother Fortuna who kidnaps him and under the law of guardianship forces Lucky to work in the town mill. Lucky hatches a plan to escape Fortuna and make is way to the Nightbird but he soon finds himself involved a much greater and profound adventure.

This was a really great read for several reasons. Russell’s vocabulary and vernacular are so genuine and spot on that I really felt like I was swept away to the wharfs of Massachusetts in 1851. After finishing this book, I had the whimsical urge to call people scallywags and landlubbers. For younger readers especially, the language is just so much fun and really adds a genuine layer to the reading experience.

The main character Lucky is a very spirited, clever, and likable character who younger and older readers alike will have no problems believing in. The character of Emmaline, a young Quaker girl, is also easy to love and admire. She is a very determined, brave, and compassionate character who I think young girls will really look up to. And of course, the bad guys are perfectly bad and villainous. Russell’s characters, her heroes and bad guys alike, are pitch perfect for her audience.

What I really loved about this book, and wasn’t expecting, is the fact that I learned a great deal. Underneath the fun, adventurous story is a very real and layered lesson about a complicated time in American history. Russell weaves very serious facts about slavery, child labor, and civil rights throughout the novel, but does so in such a subtle and crafty way that younger readers won’t feel as if they are being lectured, but they will walk away with a new bundle of knowledge.

I think this would make a great read aloud book, both in a school and home setting. I really enjoyed this book and think it has something to offer to both younger and older readers.

[StorySeekers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories that are set back during this time because this is how our country became to be. I get to see what the struggles were during that time, picturing myself into the storyline. Krista Russell got the historical part of the story right and did the right research.

The story is set in New Bradford, 1851.

Lucky Valera is a fourteen-year-old boy that is about to set sail on ship known as The Nightbird. This was his father’s ship, and the ship he has grown apart of since he was young. Before he even makes it to the whaling ship, Lucky is kidnapped on the street by a guy named Fortuna and his friend. Lucky finds out that this is his older brother but not a very kind one. It turns out since Lucky’s father has died, Fortuna is now his legal guardian.

Fortuna claims their father owes him a lot of money, that now Lucky has to pay since his father has passed away. Fortuna has Lucky work alongside him at the local mill, to pay back the wages. Lucky is determined to get away from his brother, and get back to ship, but he finds out Fortuna has a stronger hold him than he thought.

With the help of two new friends, Daniel an escaped slave and wanted, and Emmeline, who wants to help slaves, Lucky might be able to escape. But during the story, Lucky becomes a slave himself when Fortuna puts him to work and takes his wages. Although his life is bad, Lucky sees that he isn’t the only one searching freedom, and others have worse lives than him. He has to make a lot of big decisions through the course of the book.

The book brought a lot of historical facts and lessons throughout the story. I got drawn in right away when Daniel and Emmeline come into the story, and the tales of the other slaves. It was likable, and a very enjoyable read. I would suggest this book to many middle graders. Young adults might appreciate this book as well.

-Danny

[Alana White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 1851 New Bedford, Massachusetts, the center of the whaling industry and a haven for fugitive slaves, Chasing the Nightbird follows plucky 14-year-old Lucky Valera, "a colored boy of Cape Verdean," and his quest to sail with the whaling ship, Nightbird. An orphan since the death of his seafaring father and an experienced sailor himself, Lucky is shanghaied before he can board the Nightbird by his hostile brother, Fernando Fortuna, who puts him to work in a textile mill. There Lucky is befriended by a runaway slave from Alabama named Daniel; together, with the help of the young daughter of a Quaker ship captain, Lucky and Daniel not only free themselves but also thwart the leaders of a slaver outfitted as a whaling ship, men who mean to kidnap fugitive slaves and sell them back into bondage.
The author's knowledge of the whaling industry and the workings of New Bedford's textile mills is impressive and nicely writ into the story. While I found the figurative language peppered throughout annoying—"He tried to smile but there was flotsam doing a jig in his belly"—others may not. Overall, focusing as it does on whaling, the abolitionist movement, and the anti-slavery Quakers of New Bedford, this is a valuable addition to children's literature. An informative author's note and source list are included. Ages 9-12. {Reviewed by Alana White, "Historical Novels Review," August 2011}

[Wally · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1851 New Bedford, Massachusetts, cabin boy Lucky is about to board the Nightbird as a sailor for the first time when he is kidnapped by his own brother, who has come to take his share of their late father’s fortune. Lucky’s brother, Fortuna, wants nothing to do with the sea or sailing and immediately signs Lucky on to the local mill, where he can earn both of their wages. Lucky, however, meets Daniel, an escaped slave, and Emmeline, the Quaker daughter of a local abolitionist, and the three of them must escape Fortuna and his plans for Lucky, evade a ruthless slaver who seeks to return Daniel to his owner, and do their part on the Underground Railroad.

This novel is an unusual treatment of a slice of American history that doesn’t get much fictional coverage anyway, especially for young people. The plot moves quickly, but even younger readers should be able to follow the different strands, which include a bit about the whaling industry, the Underground Railroad and the involvement of Quakers in the Abolitionist movement, and the conditions of mills and mill workers in the mid-19th Century. The characters are all individually drawn, if somewhat placed as figures rather than people, but the history is well-researched and is supported by a few pages of notes at the end. The language is a little advanced for some readers, but the content is appropriate for readers as young as 5th grade, and up to 12th grade.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a kids book that shines a light on the Fugitive Slave Act then this is book you are looking for. About a teen named Lucky who grew up on the whaling ship "Nightbird" but has been forced to live with his older half brother and hand over all of his wages he earns working in a mill in 1850s New Bedford to pay back the money his father owed the brother. Lucky has made friends with Emmeline, a Quaker Abolitionist and Daniel, a runaway slave when fear of the Fugitive Slave Act is real. The act also puts Lucky in danger because his father was a free person from Cape Verde. All of these pieces set up for quite the adventure. Running from his brother, running from slavers and ultimately trying to help his friend remain free.
The title led me to believe that the book would be more about Lucky trying to chase down the Nightbird that had already sailed for its 3 year whaling mission but it was more about keeping a step ahead of his brother and the slave bounty hunters. In someways Lucky was more chasing the dream of returning to the Nightbird than the actual ship. A decent book that highlights an important time in history but not the best historical fiction I have read. (book courtesy of Netgalley)

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars/Fiction; Juvenile

Chasing the Nightbird was an okay story but not great. I agree with a few of the other reviewers when they said there was definitely an element of adventure that is lacking in this book geared toward middle school age readers.

Lucky has a dream of living life as a sailor on his own ship. Life changes for him though when his half brother and guardian forces him into slave labor. Lucky spends lots of time throughout the book thinking of ways to escape and develops friendships along the way but overall the story is fairly lack-luster. The work was the same, the setting was the same and after a while, it became a little boring to read.

I think the author does a good job bringing to light the practice of slavery and opens the door for discussion about the Underground Railroad. However, I feel that unless you have a curious young reader who is willing to ask the questions, I doubt this book will make any long term impression on them.

It was a good idea and the storyline was decent but kids at this reading level generally seek something with a little more action and flair. There was little in this story that I think would cause the average student to research the topic further unless this book was used in a classroom setting.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an all right middle grade title, but it wasn't a book that I would care to read again. I didn't find that there was much to get me to care about Lucky and Daniel. I wonder if younger readers will find it entertaining, but the story lacked the depth it really could have used. I think that if the author trusted that her audience could handle more she could have given it more substance and created more complex characters.

I also wish that we had had a better sense of the town. We heard of the docks and the shops and the mill, but it seemed as if the characters were all plunked down there and it was difficult to get a real sense of place since everyone seemed like they were visiting.

The seagull ruined a lot of the scenes for me. I am assuming that she is there to lighten the heaviness of subject that the story approaches exploring, but I would have preferred that the story focused more on Lucky's relationships with people.

I think this is a good book for children that are just starting out reading historical novels, but there are plenty of other ones to keep them entertained.

*** = glad I read it

ARC provided by NetGalley

[Lisa Nocita · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Bedford, MA, circa 1841. Lucky Valera is an orphaned cabin boy who is looking forward to his first real voyage as a sailor on a whaling ship. His fourteenth birthday in a few days makes him eligible to become a master rigger like his recently departed father. On his way back to the ship, Lucky is waylaid by his older half-brother of whom he knows nothing but who has plans of his own for Lucky working in the cotton mill. Unfortunately, the scoundrel has the law on his side, leaving Lucky to plot his escape. But the siren call of the sea is no match when Lucky decides to follow his heart and help his new found landlubber friends.

This a brief tome of historical fiction that adds to the already generous canon of slave narratives. It does however offer a couple of twists of which readers may be unfamiliar--Cape Verdeans, Quakers, and whaling. It seems like it would be a good replacement or companion for classes that read The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton. It would lend itself well to additional avenues of research.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashore before heading off on another whaling trip, Lucky Valera is kidnapped by his half brother and forced to work in a nearby mill. There he meets a fugitive slave, Daniel, whose deft fingers repair the breaks in the threads as they move swiftly in the mill. He also chances on Emmeline, the daughter of a Quaker ship captain. Like her deceased mother, she is deeply involved in the abolitionist movement, and tries to broker a deal with Daniel. The story provides insight into 1851 New Bedford, Massachusetts, and the Fugitive Slave Act, and moves quite fast. Although the author provides glimpses into the characters, I never felt that I really knew Emmeline, Daniel, or Lucky as well as I would have liked to have known them. While readers learn about the characters through their actions, there seems to be almost too much happening too quickly to take things in.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Lucky a young boy who is orphaned after his father's death and is prevented from returning to sea by the actions of his half brother. I know I'm not the target audience for this book, but I am a fan of YA fiction but found this one lacking somewhat. It does touch on slavery, the work of the abolitionists and working conditions in factories in the 19th century but it didn't really stir up any feelings of outrage in me. The characters felt a little one dimensional and the story kind of plodded along, even the section where it could have been tense as there was a lot of action going on, I felt it was a bit lacklustre. It's not a terrible book but it's just totally average.

[Kristen Dota · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job in bringing history from 1851 New Bradford Massachusetts back to life. Children are able to see what life was like before their time which is very important. This book also tells how a young boys farther dies and the young boy wanting to take his place in continuing the family business as a sailor. Children experience this everyday so this is a good book to read in the classroom. My favorite character is Emmeline, I loved how motivated she was in helping anyone every chance she gets. This demonstrates a good person, and that all people should really be more like this. Awesome book!

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full, non-spoiler review courtesy at Book & Movie Dimension a Blog

Being a sailor as his life didn't prepare Lucky Valera to live a regular life of a boy on land instead out at sea. It doesn't prepare for a long-lost brother. A not-so-wanted older brother at that. Quickly learning blood is thicker than water. Lucky must sokn choose what he has known as his life or a new purpose. Deeply spiritual till the end with humor which will keep you reading with great interest.

[Katterley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction, and this was good historical fiction. I learned history and have sources and primary sources to do more research, because Ms. Russell included a bibliography. I loved the characters, all were realistic. OK, I didn't love Fortuna, Emmeline's step-mother, or Antone, but I wasn't supposed to, either, the characterizations were well done. I also enjoyed that I wasn't sure how the book would end. Chasing the Nightbird was a very satisfying read. Recommended for middle grades and high schoolers in need of or that enjoy historical fiction.

[Daniel Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a historical novel about a boy who grows up in New England, just before the American Civil War. The local scenery of ships and cotton mills matches what I saw when I visited this area some time ago. I like the straight-forward way the main character develops to his struggles for life and freedom and core values.

[Erin Jansa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this for my 10-year old son, but read it first. The adventure of the main character will keep a kid reading, and the setting offers up a very digestable piece of history and the issues of that time.

[Zachary Alcorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it shows kids facing adversity and sticking together. They probably never thought they would be friends and now they are escaping together. Find friends in unlikely places. I really liked these social studies books because i am gonna be a social studies teacher.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting historical fiction about the North's struggle against slave owners that attempted to bring back escaped slaves.
Great read for Middle school readers.

[Nance · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little contrived, a little simplistic, main character not well enough developed. Historically interesting. Easy read.

[Lorraine Der · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library Catalog

[Harla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot to say about this one. It was a decent read and I think would appeal to mainly boys who like historical fiction.

[Jeanne Gehret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun adventure that gave me plenty of glimpses of 19th century New Bedford, MA.