The Lyon's Club: The Lyon Saga Book Two (Book 2 of the Lyon Saga) [Library Binding]

M. L. Stainer (Author), James Melvin (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Book 2 of the Lyon Saga

Second in The Lyon Saga series of historical novels for young-adults. Told from the point of view of a 14-year-old girl, Jessabel Archarde, this little-known time period in American history comes vividly alive. The Lyon's Cub continues the story of Jess and her family, and how they try to search out those colonists who split with their original group and went to Chesapeake Bay.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-Even readers who are unfamiliar with The Lyon's Roar (Chicken Soup, 1997) will relish the continuing story that speculates on the fate of the settlers of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. For 15-year-old Jessabel, life couldn't be better. She has adapted well to life with the peaceful Croatoan tribe and, in fact, is in love with a young brave, Akaiyan. The rest of the settlers, however, while grateful to the Native Americans, are anxious for the return of their governor and the supplies he is to bring back from England. When they visit their abandoned colony and discover no sign of his return, a small party of colonists and Croatoans head north in search of other settlers whom they hope have reached Chesapeake Bay. However, when two of them are killed by members of a hostile tribe, the expedition is abandoned. When the widow of one of the slain men is inconsolable, Jess decides to find her husband's body. Akaiyan and another Croatoan join her and their journey is fraught with peril; they are captured and enslaved by Spanish soldiers before making a hazardous escape. Each chapter of Jess's first-person account is short and action packed. The emphasis is definitely on plot over characterization, although the characters are consistent, believable, and sympathetic. Even reluctant readers will keep turning the pages as they seek answers to the many questions raised. Of course, some of these resolutions will only be found in the sequel, The Lyon's Pride (Chicken Soup, 1998). This is a fascinating glimpse at what might have happened to a group of people about whom little historical fiction is written.
Peggy Morgan, The Library Network, Southgate, MI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

All of the readers of The Lyon's Roar are lined up to receive the second of the series, The Lyon's Cub, in their eagerness to discover the probable fate of Carolina's Lost Colony -- Harry L. Thompson, Curator, Port o' Plymouth/Roanoke River Museum

It's an understatement to say that I'm impressed.... From the start I cared about Jess - she became very real. And you made even the time come alive -- Ilse Sondheimer, author

M. L. Stainer weaves fiction with fact as she explores the 400-year-old question mark in American history of what happened to the 117 lost colonists of 1587 -- The Daily News, Jacksonville, NC

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 160 pages
• Publisher: Chicken Soup Pr; 1st edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964690454
• ISBN-13: 978-0964690455
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,729,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A GRAVESIDE REQUEST, September 6, 1999

By 

Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lyon's Club: The Lyon Saga Book Two (Book 2 of the Lyon Saga) (Library Binding)

The title refers to the ship mentioned in the first book of this series: the RED LYON. A ship which left hopeful English colonists stranded on Roanoak Island off Virginia in 1587. Stainer explores various theories to account for the historically "lost", almost legendary band of brave settlers who disappeared. It is now 1588 and 16-year old Jess Archarde proves a worthy descendant (i.e. Cub) of the LYON, whose captain pursued a dream to found a cittee of Raleigh in the hostile New World. He was supposed to return with supplies, but he did not--at least not in time.

The original settlers have argued over different means of survival, with hardship and sorrow as frequent companions. While the Armada is gathering strength for an audacious assault on Elizabeth's England, the loyal colonists suffer political anxiety, attacks from warlike Indians (not their kindly hosts on Cracatoan Island) and diminishing numbers. Plus there is always the very read danger of falling into the hands of marauding Spanish privateers, who prowl the coast seeking their enemy, the English.

Despite this tenuous existence, young Jess undertakes a solemn vow and dangerous pilgrimmage: to find the grave of her best friend's husband, there to conduct a proper Christian burial. Neither her father nor her Indian suitor can dissuade her from this folly, for Jess is determined to keep her promise to her bereaved friend, hampered at home with a baby. Jess and her companions endure terrible privation and even slavery, until they escape with two special mementoes of the Spanish garrison. History, Adventure, Danger and of course, Romance Lite! Middle School girls will want to follow Jess' story through the entire LYON series. Stainer weaves an interesting and infomrative tale, thanks to many short chapters, frequent illustrations (by James Melvin) and extensive dialogue. Even though Jess herself is completely fictional, the family name is on record. This conjectured History is highly palatable--ENJOY!

5.0 out of 5 stars A really good book, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lyon's Club: The Lyon Saga Book Two (Book 2 of the Lyon Saga) (Library Binding)

This is a great book by a great writer. M. L. Stainer tells a fast-paced, action-packed story about what may have happened to the Lost Colonists of Roanoke Island in 1587. Kids everywhere will love this story!

4.0 out of 5 stars lots of action and excitment, September 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lyon's Club: The Lyon Saga Book Two (Book 2 of the Lyon Saga) (Library Binding)

I think this book was pretty good. My favorite part was when they got the horses. I can't wait to find out what will happen next!