Ever since the magnificent Miss Loucien gave up teaching to join the Bright Lights Theater Company, school days have lacked a certain . . . drama . . . especially for Cissy, who longs for a life in show business, and Kookie, who craves adventure. But when a diphtheria outbreak interrupts the dull routine, Cissy and Kookie are evacuated to the doubtful safety of the Bright Lights’ summer home—a shipwrecked paddle steamer on the flooded Missouri River. Thus begins a wild and unpredictable journey downstream serving up grand performances, aggrieved river gamblers, irate lawmen, and perilous races. And when at long last Cissy steps into the limelight, the stakes are higher than she ever imagined. Renowned storyteller Geraldine McCaughrean weaves a rip-roaring adventure in this funny tale that’s chock-full of humor and heart.
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"A fun story about a lot of unusual people and a riverboat. Misspelled notes and letters were annoying to get through and I honestly lost track of most of the secondary male characters but definitely a fun read."
— Brandielle (4 out of 5 stars)
" Great characters but a story that jumps the shark over and over again. Kim Ravers is a brilliant narrator and the only thing that got me to the end of the book. (I'd give her a five star review.) "
— Anna, 12/10/2013" 1890 Adventures and misadventures of two Oklahoma classmates who travel down the Missouri River with traveling actors on a paddleboat, while diphtheria spreads across the land. Sequel to Stop the train! "
— Teri, 10/7/2013" I wasn't sure that a sequel could measure up to Stop the Train but oh boy, this is just wonderful. "
— Candy, 1/8/2013" The highly stylized writing makes it more appropriate for reading aloud. "
— Laura, 5/27/2012" SO much fun, and Lorna Raver gives such a warm, avuncular narration. "
— Jenn, 5/23/2012" Funny start to this historical novel set in the 1800's! "
— Barry, 2/25/2012" Very cute story. I loved the quirky characters and the quest they all take in order to find a home. "
— Bobi, 7/20/2011" I am disappointed the Full Cast Audio group didn't narrate this book too. "
— Jenne, 7/12/2011Geraldine McCaughrean is the Printz Award–winning author of The White Darkness. She has been twice honored with the Carnegie Medal, and is the only three-time winner of the Whitbread Children’s Book Award. She also wrote Peter Pan in Scarlet, the first official sequel to the treasured masterpiece Peter Pan. Geraldine lives in Berkshire, England, with her husband and daughter.
Lorna Raver, named one of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voices of the Year, has received numerous Audie Award nominations and many AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has appeared on stage in New York, Los Angeles, and regional theaters around the country. Among her many television credits are NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Boston Legal, ER, and Star Trek. She starred in director Sam Raimi’s film Drag Me to Hell.