Book excerpt: A brave young protagonist must rely on his wits and his friends to navigate dangers and escape an unwelcome fate in this action-packed historical novel. As the son of famous Black Jack Valera, the best whaler on the eastern seaboard, thirteen-year-old Cape Verdean Lucky Valera has led a charmed life. Then his father dies and his estranged half-brother Fortuna, kidnaps him. Lucky's hopes of joining the crew of the Nightbird are dashed as Fortuna forces him into servitude at a textile mill. When Lucky meets Emmeline, a spirited girl with abolitionist sympathies, and Daniel, who has escaped from slavery, his dream to return to his old life once again seems within reach. That is, if he and his new friends can outwit and outrun Fortuna and an enraged slave trader, both of whom will stop at nothing to get back what they believe is their rightful property. Krista Russell has created a fast-paced historical adventure that will keep readers hooked. Rich with historical detail, Chasing the Nightbird offers readers a glimpse into the past during a period of tremendous social and political upheaval, touching upon industrialization, the whaling industry in New England, and slavery.