Karen A. Bale – författare

A rushing river with rapidly rising waters threatens the lives—and life savings—of two resourceful kids in this thrilling entry in the middle grade historical fiction Survivors series.For years, Garret and Molly have dreamed of seeing more of the world than cotton fields and the dusty poverty of their 1920s Mississippi Delta farms. They’ve been stashing away hard-earned pennies and nickels in a tin-can bank, hidden deep in the bayou. Now rising flood waters threaten the hiding place of their money, and they set out on their homemade raft to retrieve it. But the raging Mississippi River has other plans, and suddenly Garrett and Molly find themselves in a deadly battle with the dangerous currents and roiling rapids of the debris-strewn water—fighting not only for their life savings but for their lives.

The Titanic -- April 14, 1912 Gavin Reilly is working in the Titanic''s galley to earn his passage from Ireland to America. He can''t wait to join his brother in New York. He has big dreams and bigger ambitions. Karolina Green is returning home to the States with her Aunt Rose after the death of her parents in England. She wants, more than anything, to mend her shattered life in New York. On a calm, clear April night their hopes and dreams turn into a nightmare -- like those of hundreds of other passengers on the Titanic. Rich and poor, famous and unknown, the people aboard the Titanic find themselves at the mercy of a cold seathat even the greatest ship ever built can''t conquer. Few will live to remember the disaster the world still can''t forget -- will Gavin and Karolina be among the survivors?

Can two kids survive the flames of the great Chicago Fire of 1871? Find out in this riveting historical fiction, part of the Survivor series.Nate Copper and his best friend Ryan love to sneak out at night to watch firefighters battle the blazes that have plagued Chicago all through the dry, windy summer of 1871. Wealthy Julie Flynn, suffocated by her overprotective parents, can’t imagine adventures like Nate’s—and he’s definitely not a boy she would ever be friends with. But fate and fire throw Nate and Julie together on the dark and dangerous streets of Chicago, and in the chaos of the crowds, Julie is kidnapped. Nate has to try to figure out a way to free her before the wind-driven flames spreading across the city cut off their only chance of escape. Will Nate and Julie be able to survive?

Can two kids survive the biggest disaster of 1906? Find out in this gripping tale of historical fiction, part of the Survivors series.Brendan O’Connor is delivering pastries to the bustling businesses and elegant hotels of San Francisco, dreaming that someday he will be part of that life. Li Dai Yue is running from the isolated security of Chinatown, distraught over the marriage her uncle has arranged for her. Chance throws them together on the day of the San Francisco earthquake. Can two strangers from such different worlds work together to survive the terror of crumbling buildings, fire, looting, and chaos?

A raging snow storm creates the coldest kind of danger for two kids in this riveting tale of historical fiction, part of the Survivor series.Haydn Sinclair hates absolutely everything about his aunt and uncle’s primitive Rocky Mountain ranch. He’d much rather be in a great city than stuck on the countryside. Haydn’s cousin Maggie hates the thought of having her rich and spoiled cousin visiting for four long months. She’d be happier if he wasn’t around. When Maggie’s father is injured and she and Haydn are left alone, they argue, and Haydn sets off on foot for the train station miles away. The next day Maggie learns that Haydn never made it to town, and she must search for him despite the blizzard that is raging outside. But even if she can find him, will they be able to survive freezing nights, vicious winds, and the constant threat of snow slides?

A rushing river with rapidly rising waters threatens the lives—and life savings—of two resourceful kids in this thrilling tale of historical fiction, part of the Survivors series.For years, Garret and Molly have dreamed of seeing more of the world than cotton fields and the dusty poverty of their Mississippi Delta farms. They’ve been stashing away hard-earned pennies and nickels in a tin-can bank, hidden deep in the bayou. Now rising flood waters threaten the hiding place of their money, and they set out on their homemade raft to retrieve it. But the raging Mississippi has other plans, and suddenly Garrett and Molly find themselves in a deadly battle with the dangerous currents and roiling rapids of their debris-strewn river—fighting not for their life savings, but for their lives.

Two friends struggle to survive the treacherous journey across the snake- and alligator-infested Louisiana bayou in the seventh book in the Survivors series.Bayou Teche, 1851. No one in Lily LeGrand’s Cajun community is willing to help search for Paul Courville, who is missing in the bayou along with his mean-spirited older brothers, William and Mark. Why should they? Paul’s wealthy plantation-owner father has made no secret of his disdain for Cajuns. But Paul has always been kind to Lily, defending her against his brothers’ merciless taunts and humiliating pranks—and Lily refuses to turn her back on him when his life is in danger. On her own in the maze of the dangerous bayou, Lily knows she has more to fear than her father’s wrath. Her treacherous journey will test both her knowledge of the swamp and her courage. Can she find Paul before it’s too late?

A brother and sister struggle to survive a harrowing trip across Death Valley—the most dangerous part of the Mojave Desert and the hottest spot in North America—in this riveting tale of historical fiction, part of the Survivors series.California, 1849: Jess, Will, and their father are in grave danger—separated from the rest of their west-bound party, their wagon is useless with a broken axle, and Pa is seriously ill from an injury that Will feels is his fault.In a valiant attempt to save their family, Will and Jess set off on foot over the endless sands to find help. Each day of their journey brings a new peril, but nothing more frightening than the constant, overpowering thirst that muddles their minds and threatens their very will to survive. With so much at stake, can Will and Jess win their desperate battle with the unrelenting desert?

Can two kids survive the events that follow a dangerous circus train wreck? Find out in this eighth riveting tale of historical fiction, part of the Survivors series.Kansas, 1892. The circus is the first home where Maximo has ever felt safe. He dreams of becoming an animal trainer and envies Jodi—a girl who was born and raised in the circus and is already an accomplished performer. But ever since Jodi’s mom was injured, Jodi has been unable to get back on the high wire. When a train wreck sets a herd of elephants and a dangerous Bengal tiger loose on the countryside, both Max and Jodi must face their worst fears. Can they conquer their terror and survive the longest night of their lives?