Book Review: Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers

Written by Susan Marlow
Reviewed by Stephanie Reed

Andi Carter is back in the fourth exciting Circle C Adventure.  But there's a difference–she's in San Francisco, far from the ranch and her palomino, Taffy.  The boarding school Andi attends threatens to snuff out every spark of her independent spirit.  She's even forced to ride side saddle.  The only saving grace at her new school is spunky roommate Jenny Grant, the fiery-haired daughter of a Washington Territory logger.

Together Andi and Jenny manage to break almost every rule at Miss Whitaker's stuffy school.  When the tiny Chinese servant girl, Lin Mei, comes to Andi's room for help, Andi and Jenny discover to their horror that the girl was sold into slavery by her own parents, to pay their debts.  Will Andi conform to society's rules and look the other way?  Or will she break yet another rule and risk great peril for herself and her new friend, Jenny?

Slavery in America after the Civil War?  Sad but true.  Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers is a timely book that I highly recommend.  Today there are slaves all around the world and in the United States.  Children will love this suspenseful book about a heroine who doesn't automatically do the right thing.

Don't miss the first three Andrea Carter books.  

Stephanie Reed is a multi-published author. The Light Across the River is a featured book in The Great Escape 2009. You can find out more about her at http://stephaniereed.turboflanges.com.