Orphaned by Savannah Shepherd (books to read as a couple TXT) 📖

Twelve year old Samantha and her six year old little sister Jamie board the train. As they wave goodbye to their mother, Samantha fights a tear by repeating that they are leaving for their safety. In their country of America, a war had broken out and Samantha’s mother had sent her and Jamie to a boarding school in England. Samantha had been born in England but her little sister Jamie hadn’t. Jamie was born on the boat as they were traveling to America. Three weeks after Jamie was born, their father fell overboard and drowned.
The train ride was two days long and by now they only had one day left. During the train ride, all Jamie did was cry. She missed their mother, she missed home, and most of all she was scared. Jamie was scared to be in England. She had never been there before and was afraid she would get lost. Jamie was also terrified about the ship because she was afraid she would fall overboard like father. Samantha also had worries, not only of her own safety but also of Jamie’s. Before they had left, Samantha’s mother had told her that she was responsible for Jamie.
When Jamie and Samantha boarded the boat, they were told that the ride would also be two days. Most of the trip, Jamie and Samantha slept. Samantha had a hard time getting to sleep. Her head was filled with wonders and worries, wonders about how the school would be and how England had changed. Samantha worried also about school and England, but also of mother and how she was doing, she worried about the boat, what if it was to tip. Once Samantha did get to sleep, she had nightmares about the things she worried about.
Once they reached England, everything seemed to get better. Their Aunt Loretta (their father’s sister-in-law) was waiting at the deck for them, just as she had promised. Aunt Loretta immediately took them to the school. Samantha noticed something odd about Aunt Loretta, something wasn’t ok. The only thing she said was “Welcome to England!” and “Enjoy your stay.” She never left the car and was very jittery.
When they got to the school, they noticed that most of the school was very ill and dieing. Not long after they moved in Jamie became poisoned. Aunt Loretta never visited and mother never sent letters. Three days after she became poisoned, Jamie died. A week after that, Samantha received word that the war was over in America, but her mother was murdered. Later that day Samantha found out that Aunt Loretta was missing. A week later Samantha’s school shut down because of illness.
Once the school had closed, Samantha found herself gagged, blindfolded, tied up, and thrown in a cell. As she is waking up she hears Aunt Loretta talking to a man and pleading him to let Samantha go. Samantha also learns of a secret family treasure and of her grandfather in Paris. Samantha later finds out that her father didn’t fall overboard, he was pushed. The next day, Samantha is no longer tied up, gagged, or blind folded. Aunt Loretta tells her how to get to her grandfather and helps her escape. Aunt Loretta is shot and killed for helping her escape. Now all Samantha has left is her grandfather and herself.
One day Maria received a letter in the mail. On the inside, were words that troubled her. The letter said:
Dear Maria,
I know who you are and where you are. You thought that your precious aunt could save you, but you were wrong! If you don’t come to me the rest of your family will die,. You will meet us at your grand father’s old house and show us where the family treasure is. See you at sun down!
Maria decided that, for her family’s sake, she wouldn’t tell any one but instead say she was going out and take care of this problem. Maria decided to make a fake treasure by putting her most valuable item, a diamond necklace, in an old box. When Maria went to them, she said she already found the treasure, and then she gave them a box with a diamond necklace and went home. Her family and her life would now be safe. Or so she hoped.

Publication Date: 01-15-2011

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