Seek and Find; Or, The Adventures of a Smart Boy

A boy's courage changes everything. When Ernest Thornton hears a girl screaming across the lake, he doesn't hesitate. He rows into danger and pulls Kate Loraine from the water, saving her from something worse than drowning: her cruel stepmother's house. Kate has escaped an oppressive home ruled by tyranny and control. Ernest, resourceful and brave, decides he won't simply return her to that situation. Instead, he formulates a daring plan: escort Kate to New York City to find her uncle and start anew. Oliver Optic wrote adventure fiction for young readers that moved at the speed of their imaginations. This novel delivers exactly what it promises: action, moral clarity, and a hero who acts. The opening rescue scene crackles with tension. The stakes are clear. The journey ahead is filled with obstacles that test Ernest's wit and courage. It's very much a product of its era, with all the simplicity that implies, but also all the vigor that made it endure. For readers who love classic adventure tales and historical children's fiction.