Rachel Chance [Unknown Binding]

Jean Thesman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1992

When someone kidnaps her brother, Rider, fifteen-year-old Rachel Chance is certain that Pastor Woodie, the clergyman in her Bible thumping town, has something to do with Rider's disappearance, and she takes matters into her own hands. Reprint. AB.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Simple yet powerful writing and an abundance of winning personalities makes this novel difficult to put down," said PW about the story of a 1940s girl who demonstrates extraordinary pluck in tracking down her kidnapped brother. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-- Rachel Chance turns 15 in the summer of 1940, shortly after her illegitimate baby brother, Rider, has been stolen by a traveling band of revivalists. Rachel's unlikely family and friends consist of her mother and the baby; a gruff grandfather; a mentally handicapped young cousin; Hank, a young hired hand; Hank's fugitive aunt, wanted for shooting her abusive husband; and Druid Annie, who can see into the future. While this cast of characters smacks of soap opera, Thesman carefully avoids the maudlin. She recounts with humor and insight the story of people torn by poverty and personal tragedy but filled with love and concern for one another. While her mother is almost unable to function because of Rider's disappearance and her grandfather is too respectful of the law to intervene, Rachel hits upon a scheme to steal Rider back. The characters undertake a suspenseful journey filled with pitfalls eventually resulting in Rachel's rescue of her beloved brother. The revivalists, portrayed as charlatans who bilk the poor out of their money, back down when confronted by Rachel's accusations. The reappearance of Rider's father and Rachel's budding romance with Hank are interwoven into the plot so that neither seems jarring or unexpected. The fiercely loving Rachel, who is frustrated by the injustices that seem to overwhelm her family and friends and who fights to protect them against all odds, is a character to be remembered. --Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Unknown Binding
• Publisher: Flare (November 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380713780
• ISBN-13: 978-0380713783
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,704,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It was a great book, April 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rachel Chance (Hardcover)

It first started off boring then it got to the exciting part and I thought that it was the best book Jean Thesman had made!!!!!!!1

5.0 out of 5 stars The Action!!!!, February 13, 2001

By 

Elena (?,ms usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rachel Chance (Hardcover)

I liked the book a lot because i think that Jean was trying to inform people about what can happen in real life. It's sad because nobody hardly cared that Rider was missing except his family. The story has a great ending to it. I would like to read more of Jean Thesman's books.