Adventures in the Northwoods

Her Irish father having died in a construction accident, Kate O'Connell and her mother are left to struggle alone in the Minneapolis of 1906.

Seeing her mother struggle to support them and sensing her loneliness, Kate seeks help in finding her a new husband. But when her mother marries a Swedish man from northwest Wisconsin who is a widower with two sons and one daughter of his own, Kate becomes very concerned.

As conflict builds with Anders, the stepbrother her age, Kate sees puzzling things happen around the farm. When danger threatens, will she and Anders learn to work together? Who is the stranger who appears then disappears? Will they solve the mystery and become a true family?

In the darkness of a November night, Kate wakens to the murmur of voices. Listening in, she discovers that Papa Nordstrom must leave to work at a logging camp during the worst months of winter. How can the family get along without him? What if something goes wrong? And things do go wrong What near-disaster happens as Kate tries to cover up what she's done? Who left the strange message inside the organ, and what do the words mean? Will Kate, Anders, and Erik discover who is responsible for some mysterious disappearances around the community and Windy Hill Farm? And how does Christmas become truly real in Kate's heart?

The warmth of Christmas Day fades into the dreaded fact that Papa Nordstrom must return to his dangerous work in the logging camp. Then wolves howl at night, and a valuable ring disappears. Unable to make a big payment, Kate's special friend Josie and her family face the possible loss of their farm. Suspicions point to one person, but is he really guilty? Is it the same person who sneaks into the Windy Hill barn to take Wildfire for nighttime rides? As Anders and Kate try to find the truth, shadowy figures appear. What is real and what is imagination? And how does Kate's choice change someone else's life?

On a cold January day, Kate walks three miles to pick up her family's creamery check, but discovers it was stolen the night before. No check means no money--at least for now. When Kate, Anders, and Erik discover some stolen loot, the mystery grows. Boot prints in the snow suddenly vanish, and someone leaves a threatening message. Who can they trust? What hidden danger hides outside the glow of a lantern? Mama says, "God will go with you," but how can Kate and her friends go beyond fear? As the thief appears and disappears, every warning points toward danger Will Papa make it home through the terrible winter storm? And what will happen to Lars, the younger stepbrother Kate has learned to love?

Turn-of-the-century northern Wisconsin has proven to be a very imaginative and captivating setting for the Adventures of the Northwoods series. Young readers are enthralled by these timeless stories--ones from which they will learn and will come to love. A timber swindling mystery and a long-lost uncle from Sweden make for adventure and danger for Kate and Anders.

Johnson's series has shown turn-of-the-century northern Wisconsin to be a captivating setting for young readers. As the spring terms at Spirit Lake School begins, Kate hears a strange noise that is followed by even stranger happenings around the school.

At the end of The Mysterious Hideaway, Kate's mother received a letter from the Nordstrom's Swedish grandparents that told of their plans to travel to America to find their son Ben. The Nordstroms miss their train stop, and when non-English-speaking Grandpa tries to get help at the Union Depot, Grandma vanishes under mysterious circumstances!

In the eighth book in the Adventures of the Northwoods, award-winning author Johnson continues to offer exitement, mystery, adventure, and important examples of a loving family and young people learning to rely on God. The Northwoods are off to the circus in River Falls, where Kate and Anders get parts in the show after one of the clowns is injured in a mysterious accident.

Kate, Anders, and Eric pay a visit to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where Kate's relatives, who work at a mansion, tell them about a lost treasure map hidden somewhere on the grounds. The appearance of two shady-looking men sets the stage for danger and excitement, as the kids try to get to the map before the they do.

When someone tries to steal one of Kate's new horses, the Nordstrom family is shaken. But the real trauma comes when the barn is set on fire and the horse disappears. In a surprise ending, Kate finds her horse and discovers her future is going to be more exciting than she had expected.