Kelly's Search for Family (The Searchers)

Kelly's Search for Family will keep young readers turning pages to find out what happens next to Kelly in the aftermath of the Civil War and slavery.
Jean Ann Williams
Author of Road Trip of Delusion

It's 1880 and Kelly lives alone with her Papa, a lighthouse-keeper in Massachusetts. She longs to know more about her mama, and Papa has finally promised to tell her the truth on her fourteenth birthday.

Before Kelly can learn much though, dangerous men—the notorious Blackburn Brothers—arrive unannounced and take Papa away. Kelly is left alone and responsible for the lighthouse.

Granny, a former slave and family friend, learns of Kelly's plight and decides to help find the answers to her questions.

Mysterious letters, snow storms, and violence threaten Kelly's safe haven as new friends help unearth old secrets in Kelly's lighthouse home. How can she bring her Papa back? Who is her true family?

Kelly's Search for Family is the second book in The Searchers series and has thought-provoking discussion questions to spark conversations with young readers and their parents, guardians, peers, teachers, etc.