Shelley Pearsall
Children's Book Author
USA and Scotland
TROUBLE DON’T LAST
Now available in audio book by Recorded Books. Order here.
Trouble Don’t Last
ISBN: 0-375-81490-6
220 pages
Publisher: Knopf
Setting: 1859
Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Eleven-year-old Samuel was born as Master Hackler’s slave, and working on the Kentucky farm is the only life he’s ever known -- until one dark night in 1859. Without warning, Samuel is pulled from his bed by Harrison, the oldest slave on Master’s farm. And together, they run.
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Through the compelling words of Samuel, Trouble Don’t Last takes readers on the runaways’ emotional journey north. As Samuel and Harrison move from one dangerous refuge to the next, they must learn to trust strangers—and each other. The outcome of their courageous journey will leave readers breathless.
Curriculum connections
Underground Railroad, Civil War.
Recommended for Grades 4 to 8.
Booklist
"Astonishing...a thrilling escape story." Starred review
Publishers Weekly
"Action-packed...gripping from beginning to end." Starred review
USA Today
"Powerful...a suspenseful, emotional story."
Honors
The Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Best Children’s Book of the Year/Outstanding Merit from Bank Street College of Education
Booklist Editors’ Choice
New York Public Library Top 100
Booklist’s Top Ten First Novels & Top Ten Historical Fiction
State Awards: Jefferson Cup Honor Book (Virginia), Ohioana Book Award (Ohio), Mark Twain Award nominee (Missouri), Sunshine State nominee (Florida), Rebecca Caudill Award nominee (llinois),
Quick Classroom Idea
Post-It Note It: Collect and display the MANY examples of figurative language (metaphors and similes) found in Trouble Don't Last.
