Trailblazer Books are a series of middle-grade historical fiction children's novels about Christian figures authored by Dave and Neta Jackson. Published between 1991 and 2003, the 40 books in the series each feature a young person—sometimes an actual historical figure and sometimes a fictional character—who interacts with a notable Protestant religious leader, missionary, or social reformer. By 2000, the series had sold more than 1.7 million copies.
Books According to the authors, Trailblazer Books were intended to be fun, build Christian character, teach world and church history and geography, inspire service and modern missions, "show God using both men and women," and "break down racial prejudice." In addition to English, books in the series have been translated into German, Norwegian, Korean, Spanish and Swedish. The books were written at a junior high level in an action-adventure style with a particular focus on engaging boys in reading.
According to Festival Quarterly, "[e]ach book finds the youthful main character encountering a hero of the faith—men and women such as David Livingstone, Amy Carmichael, Harriet Tubman, and Menno Simons. During their research on the historical characters, the Jacksons looked for evidence of a real person—young boy or girl—who could become the main character of their book. For example, the main character of the David Livingstone book—Escape from the Slave Traders—is one of the actual slaves rescued by Livingstone. Whenever they could not find an actual person, they created a fictional young person, typical of someone who might have lived in the time period. For example, the main character of the John Wesley book—The Chimney Sweep’s Ransom—is a young member of a coal-mining family in northern England."
Title Historical figure Year published ISBN Kidnapped by River Rats 1991 The Queen's Smuggler 1991 Spy for the Night Riders 1992 The Hidden Jewel 1992 Escape from the Slave Traders 1992 The Chimney Sweep's Ransom 1992 The Bandit of Ashley Downs 1992 Imprisoned in the Golden City 1993 Shanghaied to China 1993 Listen for the Whippoorwill 1993 Attack in the Rye Grass 1994 Trial by Poison 1994 Flight of the Fugitives 1992 The Betrayer's Fortune 1994 Abandoned on the Wild Frontier 1995 Danger on the Flying Trapeze 1992 The Runaway's Revenge 1995 The Thieves of Tyburn Square 1995 Quest for the Lost Prince 1996 The Warrior's Challenge 1996 The Drummer Boy's Battle 1997 Traitor in the Tower 1997 Defeat of the Ghost Riders 1997 The Fate of the Yellow Woodbee 1997 The Gold Miners' Rescue 1998 The Mayflower Secret 1998 Assassins in the Cathedral 1999 Mask of the Wolf Boy 1999 Race for the Record 1999 Ambushed in Jaguar Swamp 1999 The Forty-Acre Swindle 2000 Hostage on the Nighthawk 2000 Journey to the End of the Earth 2000 Drawn By a China Moon 2000 Sinking the Dayspring 2001 Roundup of the Street Rovers 2001 Risking the Forbidden Game 2002 Blinded by the Shining Path 2002 Exiled to the Red River 2003 Caught in the Rebel Camp 2003
Reception and awards The Christian Booksellers Association awarded the series its Best Children's Book of the Year award in 1995. The series was also recognized with the C.S. Lewis Award for best series from Christian School Children and the Best Children's Book from Christian Booksellers New Zealand. Several books in the series have won individual awards. Listen to the Whippoorwill and Attack in the Rye Grass won the Silver Angel Award from Excellence in Media in 1994 and 1995, respectively. The Trailblazer books on Festo Kivengere and Rómulo Sauñe were recommended as reading on persecution of Christians by Christian History magazine.
Adaptation In 2007, the newly formed Hunt Entertainment Group, which intended to produce family-friendly entertainment optioned up to three books in the series for film production.
References
External links
Series webpage