Master Entrick

ISBN 0440458188 - A surprisingly good adventure story for ages 8-12, especially likely to appeal to boys. Robert Entrick is a somewhat soft, spoiled boy living in England when his world is turned upside down. He is kidnapped while on his way home, sold by his kidnappers, given a new name, put onboard a ship headed for America and forced to become an indentured servant upon his arrival. Not confident enough to bolt when he has a chance, Robert is alone in a country about which he knows very little. The friends he made on the ship have tried to make contact, to help him, but the plan falls through and Robert soon has far more important things to worry about - like survival! His new master, Calvin, is in debt and flees to the west to escape debt collectors, dragging Robert and Calvin's wife, Agatha, into Indian country, where the trio's relationship changes as danger and survival draw them closer. While they are stopped at a fort, Robert helps a young Indian escape certain death at the hands of the men of the fort. This act of kindness will shape the remainder of his life in ways he couldn't possibly foresee. Robert slowly finds much to love about his new country, but never really gives up hope of going home to England. How he gets there is a wonderfully told surprise twist. The ending was a little abrupt, but the story was good enough to outweigh that one small negative. Worth a read, probably worth a re-reading, too!