Connor Magan's Luck and Other Stories

On the banks of the turbulent Ohio River, twelve-year-old Connor Magan meets the world with boundless energy and unshakeable nerve. When flooding forces the schoolhouse closed, Connor sees opportunity: the rising waters have brought an abundance of driftwood, and alongside his father Tim, he ventures into the current to claim it. But what begins as a day of adventure becomes something more when Connor spots a child trapped in a wagon floating helplessly among the debris. Without hesitation, he swims through the dangerous currents to rescue the child, revealing a heroism that lies beneath his exuberant exterior. These interconnected stories trace Connor's coming-of-age along the river, where each tale tests his courage, sharpens his wit, and reveals the thin line between fortune and misfortune. Through encounters with traveling showmen, runaway horses, and the rhythms of river life, Connor navigates the challenges of his environment with the resilience only a child can muster. The luck of the title is not mere chance: it is the luck of being young, of believing that bravery and kindness can shape one's destiny. Perfect for readers who cherish frontier tales and stories of American childhood, this collection captures a vanished era through the eyes of a boy who sees wonder in every storm and possibility in every current.