Joan Lowery Nixon

It's 1861, and although Mike Kelly is far younger than the legal age of 16, he and his best friend Todd secretly join up with the Second Kansas Infantry and become army drummer boys....

In 1860, life in New York City’s slums is hard and dangerous....

Shy Megan Kelly cannot forget the day a gypsy read her palm announcing to all that she would bring trouble to those around her. Afterward, trouble does follow her, until she takes the necessary steps to free herself from the burdens of fear, loneliness, and superstition....

Thirteen-year-old Stacy is sunbathing in the backyard when she hears a strange noise from inside the house. Turning to look, she sees a man with a gun burst through the door; then everything goes black....

As the saga of the Kelly children continues, Mike Kelly is adopted by a German immigrant farm family living in Missouri. Although they are kind to him, they are mainly interested in having cheap labor....

Danny and his younger sister, Peg, are placed in St. Joseph, Missouri, with kind Alfrid and Olga Swenson. Danny is thrilled to have a "real" father again, but when Olga suddenly dies, he is devastated - until he thinks of an ingenious plan to find Alfrid a new wife....

Christina Lattimore’s family is wealthy and powerful. She attends the best private high school. Yet Christina feels trapped by her family’s expectations....

The first time 16-year-old Sarah walks into her new home, she is overwhelmed by a feeling of dread....

Katie Gillian’s mother is a dedicated investigative reporter. Her articles have helped innocent men on death row and have halted the illegal dumping of toxic wastes....

The Civil War has officially ended, and Frances Mary Kelly's true love, Johnny, is back from the war. But to Frances' dismay, Johnny is hesitant to marry her. Attempting to ease her aching heart, Frances accepts an offer to go to New York City and escort a group of orphans to new homes....

It's the autumn of 1863, and as the Civil War rages, a stranger named Violet seeks refuge with the Kelly family. Peg Kelly, 11, is thrilled - Violet treats her like an adult, not a child. Violet is fleeing Confederate raiders and has information that may save the Union....

The coroner has ruled Barry Logan’s death as the latest in a string of teen-age suicides. Marti Lewis was Barry’s best friend, and she knows that he was murdered....

Holly Campbell's world has suddenly been turned upside down. Her best friend is accused of murdering his parents. She knows Cody is innocent, but she doesn't know how to prove it....