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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A struggle within...., June 12, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Night Journeys (Paperback)
Set in pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia, this is the story of young Peter, orphaned and then adopted - for reasons he does not understand - by a Quaker family. He does not understand their ways - their non-violent approach, the deep reflections on what he thinks are simple, everyday things. When a runaway indentured servant is found by the Quaker farmer, Peter cannot understand why this man is willing to turn her over to those who pursue her and will bring her back to a life that seems unfair. She escapes, but her 10 year old friend is captured, and Peter must answer his own calling. In the end, he and his adopted father come to understand and appreciate each other. The(adoptive) Quaker father is sorely misunderstood by Peter, but also has to face some of his own short-comings. Peter also has to stop running, and listen more intently to others. Not a truly excellent book, but a nice period piece, good for boys who are dealing with similar emotion in these times, and good for girls, because the young girl is a strong character.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Unexpected Ending, February 19, 2000
This review is from: Night Journeys (Paperback)
Have you ever read a truly wonderful book? I mean a book where every tiny detail sticks in your brain? A book that takes you on an adventure or to a world that you've never seen or heard of? Well, if you haven't here's your opportunity. When you read 'Night Journeys' by Avi you feel like your right in the middle of the story along with the main characters Peter, Elizabeth, Robert, and Mr.Shinn. When Peter looses his family to an unexpected illness he is taken in by Mr.Shinn. When they are informed that slaves are loose, Peter and Mr.Shinn go off in search of them. Will Peter save the day? Do you want to find out if they find the slaves or not? What will happen if they do? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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3.0 out of 5 stars
WHAT PRICE--FREEDOM?, September 17, 2007
This review is from: Night Journeys (Paperback)
It is less than a decade before the American Revolution in Pennsylvania, across from the Jersey shore, when twelve-year-old Peter York finds himself an orphan--obliged to move in with a kindly but stern Quaker patriarch named Shinn. When the man assumes ownership of Peter's horse, Peter feels disloyalty bubbling up within his breast. But matters come to a head when local men, bounty hunters as it were, demand Shinn's aid (as Justice of the Peace) in searching for two runaway felons. The quiet man faces a distasteful moral dilemma, since he is naturally opposed to raising a gun against any human.
Lured on by the hope of a reward which will enable him to purchase his horse back, Peter eagerly joins the hunt--until he discovers that one of the felons Transported from England is just a girl. He seesaws in his loyalty as they struggle against the river on both sides of Morgan's rock. Will he betray his strict host/master who is sworn to uphold the Law, or turn in the two youngsters in hiding--although separated--in terror of prison?
Peter comes of age that autumn, as events force him to contemplate
his loyalties and evaluate the true price of freedom. How can he win the respect of his master? Where will he finally choose to carve out his Colonial life? Despite grim reminders of 18th Century British "Justice" this book proves an interesting and fast-paced read for middle school students.
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