Night Journeys [Paperback]

Avi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1994

The year is 1767, and newly-orphaned teenager Peter York has been adopted by a deeply religious Quaker farmer. Peter chafes at his new guardian's strict and unyielding ways and vows to break away. When a pair of runaway indentured servants are reported to be in his community, he knows capturing them can signal his chance for freedom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An insightful portrayal of appealing, uncommon character." -- --- School LibraryJournal (Starred Review)

"An insightful portrayal of appealing, uncommon character." -- ry School Library Journal

"Suspenseful!" -- --- The Horn Book --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Avi is the author of more than sixty books, including Crispin: The Cross of Lead, a Newbery Medal winner, and Crispin: At the Edge of the World. His other acclaimed titles include The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing But the Truth, both Newbery Honor Books, and most recently The Seer of Shadows. He lives with his family in Colorado.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Beech Tree Books (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688136281
• ISBN-13: 978-0688136284
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,425,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( A ) > Avi

More About the Author

Avi has published more than sixty books. Among them is Crispin: The Cross of Lead, winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal. Other novels with nineteenth-century settings, like The Traitors' Gate -- his grand nod to the work of Charles Dickens -- are listed before the title page, and include the Newbery Honor Book, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Avi and his family live in Denver, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Unexpected Ending, February 19, 2000

By 

Katie C (Indiana) - See all my reviews

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!

3.0 out of 5 stars WHAT PRICE--FREEDOM?, September 17, 2007

By 

Gale Finlayson "PLUME45" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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.