Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers (Circle C Adventures #4) [Paperback]

Susan K. Marlow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 11, 2008

When a winter flood in Fresno closes school temporarily, Andi is outraged when she's sent to live with a spinster aunt in San Francisco, doomed to finish the winter term of school at Miss Whitaker's Academy for Young Ladies. But her new roommate, the equally untamable Jenny, and the timid but tenderhearted Lin Mei, a young girl who works at the school, expose her to a whole new world. Soon these three new friends find themselves in more trouble than they can handle.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"The levee broke! Water's comin' through!" The muddy current rushed down the street and alongside the railroad embankment like a young Mississippi River. With a yelp, Cory snatched Andi's hand and yanked. "Hurry!" When a winter flood submerges the streets of Fresno, the town has no choice but to close the school for repairs. Andi couldn't be happier. She plans to spend her unexpected holiday out on the range with her palomino mare, Taffy. But, Andi's dreams are dashed when she's sent to San Francisco-doomed to spend the rest of the winter at Miss Whitaker's Academy for Young Ladies. Andi doesn't know how she'll endure two months of city life until she's introduced to her new roommate, the untamable Jenny. She also meets Lin Mei, a small, mistreated servant girl who works at the school. When Andi and Jenny discover a dreadful secret that endangers Lin Mei, they rush to her rescue, only to find themselves trapped in the dark alleys of Chinatown. Can the girls outwit their captors and escape a terrible fate?

About the Author

Susan K. Marlow, like Andi, has an imagination that never stops! Whether she's writing books, teaching writing workshops, or sharing what she's learned as a homeschooling mom, she's always on the lookout for a new story. The author of the Circle C Adventures and the Circle C Beginnings, Susan enjoys relaxing on her 14-acre homestead in the great state of Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (July 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825434467
• ISBN-13: 978-0825434464
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #763,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I started writing stories when I was ten years old. I never planned on becoming a published author. I just liked writing stories. But eventually others found out about my secret "writing" and encouraged me to submit.

I love to teach. I taught in Christian schools before I home schooled. After twenty years, I finished home schooling but find myself "back in the saddle" as I help other home schooling families, including my grandchildren.

You can find FREE stuff to go along with the books at www.circlecadventures.com. Study guides, coloring pages, on-line puzzles, and a link to Andi's Blog.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Historical Fiction Read for Middle Grade Students, November 22, 2008

By 

Stephenie Hovland (Green Bay, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers (Circle C Adventures #4) (Paperback)

Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers is part of the Circle C Adventure Series.

I have to admit I haven't read the others in the series, but if I need a good middle grade book, I'd be sure to grab one with no hesitation. As I read this Andrea Carter book, I fell in love with the girl. She reminds me of the girl most girls want to be - adventurous, caring, and willing to do anything to stand up for other people.

I first read about the Circle C Adventures in an issue of Brio earlier this year. My daughters thought it was an interesting article and were intrigued enough to want to check out the series.

At the beginning of the book, Andrea gets into trouble (which seems easy for her) and earns herself a trip to a "school for young ladies." Although she really doesn't want to go, Andrea is wise enough not to fight her mother's wishes that she attend to school far from Andrea's favorite horses.

The school mistress sees the young, rough Carter girl as a challenge. Andrea finds out about the Chinese slaves in the area, including at least one in the school's kitchen. She has a hard time following the school rules and also caring for the little girl. The more she shows her caring, rescuing nature, the more Andrea immerses herself in trouble -- with the head mistress, the kitchen helpers, other girls, the stable tenders -- even the police and human smugglers.

This book is an easy, but great read. It lends itself to studying California history and connecting the story to current human smuggling throughout the world. The series itself would be a great way to get the horse-book lovers to read historical fiction.

I think the reading level and subject matter would be great for a wide variety of ages and children. From third graders who are ready for longer chapter books to eighth graders who like historical fiction (and perhaps need a little easier read than most historical fiction,) I think many kids (especially girls) would enjoy the Circle C Adventure Series.

I did!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Exciting Adventure!!!, November 3, 2008

By 

Val Howard "homeschool mom, professional educ... (Enumclaw, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers (Circle C Adventures #4) (Paperback)

Susan Marlow has done it again! I thoroughly enjoyed her latest book in the Circle C Adventure Series, Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers. Andi, once again true to character, finds herself in yet another exciting and sketchy predicament. I read this book through in one sitting, as I could not put it down; this is Susan's best book so far!

As an adult who enjoys children's fiction, I have found the Andrea Carter books to be even better than many adult series I have read in the past. I so appreciate Susan's ability to create fast-paced action books that are morally strong with Biblical values and, yet, are not sticky sweet and condescending, as are so many other "Christian" fiction books!! I am anxiously looking forward to Mrs. Marlow's next book in the Circle C Adventure series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wholesome Tween Entertainment Set in the Old West, October 20, 2008

By 

Adam D. Blumer "BookBug" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers (Circle C Adventures #4) (Paperback)

I've always loved juvenile fiction and have several bookshelves crammed with favorite Hardy Boys and Sugar Creek Gang novels. So when I met fellow Kregel author Susan Marlow and learned that book four in her Circle C Adventures series was about to come out, I was eager to get my hands on a copy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading book four. Even though I hadn't read the first three novels in the series, I quickly found myself engrossed in Andi's escapades.

What kid wouldn't relate to Andi's excitement to learn that school is closed and then her disappointment to learn that she'll be attending an "Academy for Young Ladies" instead? Spunky Andi, who could benefit from a few rules in etiquette, is more comfortable riding the range on her palomino and doesn't exactly warm up to the idea; but she quickly realizes that she has no choice. Her worst fears come true, particularly manifested in the prickly and severe Miss Whitaker, and Andi wishes she had stayed home. But God clearly has a reason for her being at the academy, and those reasons factor into an exciting plot sure to win over young readers.

Andi makes a new friend in her roommate Jenny, and most importantly she meets Chinese servant Lin Mei, whom Andi learns is actually a slave. When Andi learns that Lin Mei is to be sold and will have to leave the academy, she does what she can to thwart the sinister plan, resulting in an action-packed and satisfying tale featuring several escapes and rescues. I had never heard about childhood slavery in that era before and found the plot element fresh and engaging. The Historical Note at the end of the novel was particularly informative.

San Francisco Smugglers was a refreshing change of pace for me. The novel is an enjoyable, wholesome story I'm happy to recommend. When Andi and her friends find themselves trapped in a dark warehouse with the prospect of being shanghaied in the morning, Andi reminds them that God is with them and will help them through her predicament. It's a pleasure reading an entertaining novel that also provides a spiritual challenge for young readers through Andi's example.