Scotland, circa 1790: The new lord decides he'd rather have sheep than tenants, and Roddy Macallan and his family are among the evicted. Over his father's objections, Roddy returns to the family's burned-out cottage, looking for an heirloom brooch that could finance the Macallans' passage to America. Caught and nearly killed while searching the ruins, Roddy is saved by Alan Dunbar, a notorious petty criminal. Roddy is initially wary of Alan, but soon finds him to be his greatest ally as the two face off against the lord and his men.
Summary After the death of Josie’s father, Daniel McRoy has become the laird at Kindarry. At McRoy’s behest, Willie Rood is systematically burning out the tenant farmers to make room for English sheep to graze—a profitable business. Despite the farmers’ resistance and Josie’s protests, Dunraw is burned and Roddy’s family sent packing. Roddy believes that his mother had hidden a valuable item called the Blessing before her death. Selling it would allow Roddy’s family to cross to America and buy enough land to farm. Roddy’s only hope for recovering the Blessing lies with the Rogue, Alan Dunbar—a man Roddy does not trust, but without whom he cannot succeed.
Topics Brothers. Adventure. Fires. Social structures. Sheep. Cruelty. Choices. The New World. Heartlessness. Thieves. Deeds. The law. Treasures. Anger. Meetings. Family relationships. Gossip. Grievances. Victories. Feasts. Church. Sermons. Eviction. Refugees. Money. Attempted murder. Rescuers. Rogues. Illness. Hideouts. Apprenticeships. Alcohol. Soldiers. War. Mistrust. Muskets. Death. Grief. Tricks. Escape. Chases. Danger. Marksmanship. Self-sacrifice. Reunions. New beginnings.
SRC Level 5.500000
SRC Points 19.000000
Lexile 850L
Trim Size 6" x 9"
Language English
JLG Release Date Nov 2007
Minimum grade 6
Maximum grade 8
Reading level Middle
Format Print
Upper Middle School Fiction Plus (Grades 6-8)
Upper Middle School Fiction Plus
Upper Middle School Fiction Plus (Grades 6-8)
For Grades 6-8
This collection features fiction titles selected for older middle school readers who are ready for longer, more layered stories that explore growing independence and changing perspective. Selections include realistic and speculative fiction with increased emotional and narrative complexity, offering stories that look beyond immediate experience and invite readers to engage with broader questions about identity, belonging, and the world around them.