Ally O'Connor Adventures

Believable characters, lively and contemporary dialogue, and fast-moving story lines quickly draw 8- to 12-year-old readers into the first book of the Ally O'Connor Adventure Series. Summer vacation brings Ally and four friends to North Carolina's Outer Banks. The kids have heard stories about the wild mustangs living on the island and would do almost anything to catch a glimpse of the majestic animals. While following tracks in the sand, Ally and Nick, both fourteen, accidentally uncover a cruel plot to kill the mustangs. Their determination to protect the horses leads to excitement as a mystery unfolds. Who are those two dirty men following the horses? Why is one of them carrying a rifle? Finding themselves in grave danger, Ally and her friends learn to depend on God and each other for help.

"Sarah, you're going to compete with us, aren't you?" Ally asked. "I . . . don't know, . . ." Sarah said, her voice trailing off. "You're the best one on the team, Sarah. We need you for the meets." "I said I don't know." Sarah's jaw was set. Ally laid her hand on Sarah's shoulder. "Did your dad say you couldn't do it?" Sarah bit her lip and didn't respond right away. Then she sighed. "Yeah . . . " Sarah Matthews is the new girl in town. She's also the most talented performer in Ally O'Connor's gymnastics class-and the team's best hope for winning at competition. As Nick, Molly, Ally, and John begin to build a friendship with Sarah, they discover there are serious problems in her home. Controlling and abusive, Mr. Matthews seems to care only about his thoroughbred horse, Colonel, and that Sarah gets her chores done. When he forbids Sarah to compete as a gymnast, Ally and friends come up with a plan to change his mind. Things begin to improve with the help of Coach James, until Mr. Matthews loses control. With her and her mother's life at risk, will Sarah have the courage to tell the truth?

When a mysterious boy rides out of the woods and into Ally's life, her fun-spirited friend Nick becomes jealous-and suspicious. Who is this bold Jeff Kruck? Why does he live with his aunt but spend so much time in the woods? Why does he sneak around at night? Is Jeff behind a rash of break-ins and vandalism in the neighborhood? In the quest for answers, Ally learns you can't always paint someone "bad" or "guilty" with a single stroke. As she tries to convince Nick, and herself, that Jeff may not be the neighborhood vandal, she learns deeper issues are at hand. Can she help the truly troubled Jeff and show Nick there's room for many friends in a girl's life? Ally surprises even herself in this third book of the Ally O'Connor Adventures. About the series: Whether saving wild mustangs at a nature preserve or encouraging teammates to try new moves in gymnastics, Ally O'Connor is a girl with a sense of mission. As she searches to find her own place and purpose in the world, she helps others do the same. Her faith and love of life are contagious, as Nick, his little sister, Molly, and others join in Ally's adventures.