The Bains Series

John and Meg Bains, two teen-agers, hire on a lumber crew in Canada in the 1800's.

In this exciting tale set in the 1870s, John and Meg Bains and their friend Canso arrive in Nova Scotia to find that Canso's father has died and his schooner seized for debts. Refused credit for a fishing trip by the merchant Hunter, they take the schooner and flee to Tower Rock, Newfoundland, intending to make enough money fishing to repay the debts. But then the law arrives and Canso is jailed. Their only hope is to persuade the women of Tower Rock to catch cod with them. And that is just what happens. The story ends with Canso's trial and the final showdown with Hunter.

Meg and Jamie Bains spend twelve hours a day sewing shirts in a loud, dim room filled with row after row of poor women and children tending their sewing machines. They're lucky to have the work. In the 1870s Canada suffers from a terrible Depression, and the Bains have travelled the country looking for work since their father died, finally ending up in this dark mill in Montreal. Soon they discover they've only been hired to replace workers striking to raise their rock-bottom wages. This knowledge, along with the cold and hunger and seemingly endless workdays, starts to wear them down. As they come to know their co-workers, however, the find they're not alone in their misery. Working together they find it's possible to make change, even in the dark world of the oppressive mills. Set against the grim background of Canada's 19th century industrial cities, Trouble at Lachine Mill is the story of two young people's perseverance in the face of incredible squalour and adversity. The book is illustrated with a section of photographs chronicling the industrial city of Montreal in the late-19th century. This is the fourth book in the Bains series of historical novels, well-researched, action-filled narratives following the travels of one family across Canada--from Newfoundland to Alberta--in search of a better life during the hard times of the 1870s.

Living by their wits on the streets of Toronto in the 1870's, a poor brother and sister find their search for work complicated by encounters with street gangs, involvement with a theft ring, and eventual capture by the police.

"My mother is held as a prisoner by the Sioux," Black Eagle said, looking directly at Jamie. "Will you come with me to rescue her?" So Jamie and Kate Bains are summoned on a dangerous mission to help their friend, Black Eagle. His mother Spotted Bird is being held captive deep in Montana Territory and, unless they find her and set her free, Black Eagle may never see his mother again. To reach their destination, the three friends must travel hundreds of miles across unfamiliar prairie, battle blizzards, the U.S. Army and bands of Sioux warriors, who are the sworn enemies of Black Eagle and the Assiniboine. The obstacles they must overcome are great, but both the Bains and Black Eagle are used to adversity and determined to overcome it. Set against the harsh landscape of the Canadian and U.S. West, Sioux Winter is the story of three friends who fight to overcome great odds and keep a family together. The book is illustrated with photos chronicling this exciting period in Canadian history. This is the eighth book in the Bains series of historical novels, well-researched, action-filled narratives following the travels of one family across Canada--from Newfoundland to Alberta--in search of a better life during the hard times of the 1870s.