Margaret Peterson Haddix
Jessie lives with her family in the frontier village of Clifton, Indiana. When diphtheria strikes the village and the children of Clifton start dying, Jessie's mother sends her on a dangerous mission to bring back help.
But beyond the walls of Clifton, Jessie discovers a world even more alien and threatening than she could have imagined, and she soon finds her own life in jeopardy. Can she get help before the children of Clifton, and Jessie herself, run out of time?
Margaret Peterson Haddix is the author of many critically and popularly acclaimed YA and middle-grade novels, including the Shadow Children series and The Missing series. A graduate of Miami University (of Ohio), she worked for several years as a reporter for The Indianapolis News. She also taught at the Danville (Illinois) Area Community College. She lives with her family in Columbus, Ohio.
Make a list of how life 100 years ago was different than how we live today. Think of all the technology, medical knowledge, and inventions that were not present then. How would this affect daily life?
Snack ideas: try some beef jerky or anise cookies.