Description

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THE FORTY-ACRE SWINDLE, Introducing George Washington Carver -- To fourteen-year-old Jesse Turner, being "free" in Alabama in 1898 doesn't seem much better than slavery. The Turners' forty-acre farm-given to them by the government following the Civil War-is exhausted from growing cotton, they face overwhelming debt, and trouble from prejudiced neighbors makes life difficult and frightening. It seems the only solution is to sell the land and begin sharecropping. But they find new hope in the teachings of George Washington Carver, a Christian agriculturist who travels the South helping fellow blacks with new farming techniques. Inspired by Carver's advice to "hang on to the land at all costs," Jesse takes a part-time job, and he and his father plant a promising crop of soybeans. But as the Turners race to meet the deadline for repaying their debts, they run into a host of new problems. And when the levee suspiciously bursts one night and floods their land, can Jesse find a way to save the family farm? Someone pulled along from the levee. But who?

About the Author

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Dave and Neta Jackson, husband and wife writing team, are the authors or coauthors of more than 120 books that have sold over 2.5 million copies. They are best known for the 40-volume Trailblazer Books series for young readers and the Hero Tales series for families. Adults love their Yada Yada Prayer Group series, House of Hope series, Harry Bentley series, and Windy City Neighbors series along with numerous nonfiction books. They make their home in the Chicago area. Find out more about them at www.daveneta.com.