Hue and Cry [Paperback]

Elizabeth Yates (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1991

When Melody Austin goes out into the woods, she can enjoy the beauty of the trees and the shimmer of her beloved lake, but she can't hear the birds singing, nor can she tell her parents what she has seen. For Melody is deaf, and she cannot utter an intelligible word.

One day she discovers that a stranger, a young Irish boy, is hiding in the woods near the lake she often visits. Upon meeting him, she is both intrigued and perplexed, for she must face the question of what to do about him and the horse he has stolen. Little does she realize, however, that because of Danny O'Dare and the horse Blue Lightning, her silent, lonely world will be changed forever.

In this sequel to THE JOURNEYMAN, Elizabeth Yates continues the story of Jared and Jennet, centering now on their two sons, Rufus and Benoni, and their courageous daughter, Melody. Set in New Hampshire in the 1830's, HUE AND CRY takes its name from a historic band of men who dedicated themselves to work with the sheriff in bringing horse thieves to justice.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Elizabeth Yates is the author of sixteen novels and fifteen non-fiction books for young people. She is perhaps best known for Amos Fortune, Free Man, which won the Newbery Medal. Among her many other awards are the William Allen White Children's Book Award of Distinction. In 1987, the New Hampshire House of Representatives saluted her with an award for lifelong achievement.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: JourneyForth (March 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890845360
• ISBN-13: 978-0890845363
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A deaf girl and a horse thief, April 17, 2000

By 

A. Bentley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hue and Cry (Paperback)

Melody Austin has been deaf as long as she can remember. Through her father's patient instruction and kindness, she has learned to read and write, and from her mother has learned how to keep a house, but Melody is truly understood only by her father, and though her mother and brothers love her, she often takes her hurts to the woods to nurse them alone. It is here, in her own retreat, that Melody comes face to face with a stranger, a young boy, and his hurt horse. Melody may be deaf, but she is far from stupid. It is easy to see that this is the beautiful horse, Blue Lighting, which has been reported stolen, for which a large reward is offered. Instead of telling her father and brothers, however, Melody keeps the Irish boy's secret and brings him food.

A friendship develops between this unlikely pair, deaf girl and horse thief, and Melody keeps Danny O'Dare's secret faithfully, until, in despair, he thinks of suicide. Melody insists that her father will understand and help him, but Danny isn't sure. Nothing can lure him out of the woods to the farmhouse, until Melody takes his only weapon, and prized possession. Is it worth revealing himself to get it back? Can Jared Austin really be trusted? Is there any kindness in this America? And is there any hope for a new start?