Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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.

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.

Andi Carter is a tomboy who loves her family's ranch and her horse, Taffy. When a flood closes the school in Fresco, Andi is secretly delighted. She'll be able to stay home and ride her horse. She won't miss school!
Instead, Andi finds she is being sent to San Francisco to study at Miss Whitaker's Academy for Young Ladies. Disappointed, but struggling to make the best of her school term, Andi is drawn to the young servant girl, Lin Mei.
When Andi realizes that Lin Mei is a slave, she is determined to help her escape. Andi finds herself drawn into the depths of China Town, where mystery and danger surround her at every turn. Will Andi be able to rescue Lin Mei?
This is the fourth book in the Andrea Carter series, but is a great stand alone read. The story has enough action and excitement to keep the pickiest tween reader enthralled without realizing that she is learning American history. Andi Carter is a wonderful role model. She displays courage, compassion, and a willingness to treat all people equally during a time period when many groups were not accepted. She stands firm in her beliefs and in her Christian heritage.

My only disappointment was that this book was aimed for tween and teen girls. I am always searching for quality historical fiction for tween boys. However, this book deserves a place in any family library where high quality, Christian fiction is appreciated.

Book four of this series is probably the one with the most historical events in it. The story brings you back in time to San Fransisco in the 1800s and introduces the reader to China Town.

My siblings (ages 10 & 13) love these books. I'm their book previewer, and these books are great. I'm a harsh critic when it comes to books - especially adventure books. But these are awesome in every aspect. From the story line, to the characters, to the morals, these books are extremely well written. Many authors try to "tell" you about the character; Susan Marlow "shows" you their character. In fact, you feel like you know them.

These books aren't for girls only. My brother is 13 and has thoroughly enjoyed these books. Yes, the main character is a girl, but the series has a strong male presence in the form of her 3 brothers and her friend, Cory.

I loved this book and so did my 10 and 12 year old girls. We learned a lot about how girls were used as slaves. I love learning history through fiction! Andrea gets involved with one of them and the adventure is on..... this is a great read with lots to learn about. All Susan's books are great!!! We even went back and read the prequel she's writing to learn more about Andrea (Andi) when she was younger.

Length:: 1:22 Mins

Enjoy the book trailer for Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers, book 4 in the Circle C Adventures series.

I requested Book #4 in the Circle C Series, San Francisco Smugglers, as we live in close proximity to San Francisco and have visited China Town on several occasions. We also have friends in Fresno that we try and visit frequently. We are also surrounded by the history of the Gold Rush Era. I felt that this particular book would be a good fit, and spark excitement for my girls to read this adventure! And.. I was correct! Susan was also kind enough to send along one of the corresponding San Francisco Smugglers Lapbooks, which I will talk more about in a bit.

Twelve-year-old spunky Andi is actually happy that her school is shut down and needing repair after the flooding in Fresno.

Little did she know that her parents had plans for her to go visit her Aunt Rebecca and attend Miss Whitaker's Academy For Young Ladies for a couple months. She reluctantly agrees, and soon is off to the Nob Hill section of San Francisco.

Andi doesn't think to much of the old restored mansion, she will now call her school for a short time. She doesn't want to stay until she meets her roommate, Jenny, who reminds her of herself, a bit "untamable". Both Andrea and Jenny meet up with Lin Mei, a mistreated Chinese servant girl.

Begin the adventure... Lin Mei runs away because she overhears that she would soon be sold and taken far away. It happens that she runs at the same time the headmistress, Miss Whitaker's jewelry goes missing! When Andrea and Jenny find Lin Mei, they decide to go to Chinatown. and hide Lin Mei in a Safe Mission house. Will they be able to keep Lin Mei safe?

You will soon discover that this fine mix of characters all have underlying attributes and faults, just like all of us. As parents, you will also appreciate the Biblical values intertwined in this Adventure.

A lapbook company, A Journey Through Learning, creates lapbooks for the Circle C Adventures. I have to confer with Susan.. I'd never seen or heard of lapbooks, since they are a more recent homeschool attraction, but I am tickled with what they have come up with.

Each lapbook is created using three colorful file folders.

The packet includes everything students need to create the lapbook: study guides, full-color pictures for the mini-booklets, the file folders, and detailed instructions on how to put them together. Lapbooks offer historical and literature tie-ins to the books and take about a month to complete.

You can check out photo's of the lapbook on Frugal Plus here.. [...]

Brief Summary: Andi is a high spirited gal living in the town of Fresno, 1881. This adventure opens when a flood hits her town, causing the local school to close. Excited, Andi thinks this must mean a fun holiday to enjoying her horse and ranch, but her mother has different ideas. Instead, Andi is sent to stay with her aunt, who lives in San Francisco, so she can finish out the school term at Miss Whitaker's Academy for Young Ladies.

Andi, who has never been away from her hometown, feels leery about leaving. However, her mother's mind is made up. Not only that, but when she arrives she discovers that she needs to board at this school which is sure to be dreadfully boring.

That impression soon changes however when she meets two very special girls, her roommate, Jenny and Lin Mei, a young girl who works at the school.

Andi discovers that Lin Mei is an immigrant from China and sold into slavery. It isn't long before Andi and Jenny decide they want to help Lin Me and find themselves into more trouble than they bargained for.

Positive Elements: Respect for authority is highly regarded throughout this novel. Andi, the main character, while a young girl, has a strong foundation in Christ. When she's in trouble, she remembers Bible stories and prays. Andi also shares her faith with her friends.

Andi Carter is back in the fourth exciting Circle C Adventure. But there's a difference--she's in San Francisco, far from the ranch and her palomino mare, Taffy. The boarding school Andi attends threatens to snuff out every spark of her independent spirit. She's even forced to ride side saddle. The only saving grace at her new school is spunky roommate Jenny Grant, the fiery-haired daughter of a Washington Territory logger.

Together Andi and Jenny manage to break almost every rule at Miss Whitaker's stuffy school. When the tiny Chinese servant girl, Lin Mei, comes to Andi's room for help, Andi and Jenny discover to their horror that the girl was sold into slavery by her own parents, to pay their debts. Will Andi conform to society's rules and look the other way? Or will she break yet another rule and risk great peril for herself and her new friend, Jenny?

Slavery in America after the Civil War? Sad but true. Today there are slaves all around the world and in the United States. Children will love this suspenseful book about a heroine who doesn't automatically do the right thing. Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers is a timely book that I highly recommend.

Other Circle C Adventures you will enjoy:

Andrea Carter and the Long Ride Home (Circle C Adventures #1)

Andrea Carter and the Dangerous Decision (Circle C Adventures #2)

Andrea Carter and the Family Secret (Circle C Adventures #3)

Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure: A Novel (Circle C Adventures)