Audacity Jones to the Rescue (Audacity Jones #1)

An irrepressible orphan named Audacity Jones is headed on an adventure of historic proportions! The first book in a brand-new series from beloved Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson!

Audacity Jones is an eleven-year-old orphan who aches for adventure, a challenge to break up the monotony of her life at Miss Maisie's School for Wayward Girls. Life as a wayward girl isn't so bad; Audie has the best of friends, a clever cat companion, and plenty of books to read. Still, she longs for some excitement, like the characters in the novels she so loves encounter.So when the mysterious Commodore Crutchfield visits the school and whisks Audie off to Washington, DC, she knows she's in for the journey of a lifetime. But soon, it becomes clear that the Commodore has unsavory plans for Audie -- plans that involve the president of the United States and a sinister kidnapping plot. Before she knows it, Audie winds up in the White House kitchens, where she's determined to stop the Commodore dead in his tracks. Can Audie save the day before it's too late?

Praise for Audacity Jones to the Rescue:*"Larson's thriller deftly mixes humor, heart-pounding moments, and a strongly evoked historical setting -- it's truly a story with something for everyone." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review*"[T]he story's themes of trust, friendship, and good manners will resonate with many. Audacity's charm and smarts make this historical adventure a winner." -- Booklist, starred review"Larson infuses her romp with plenty of humor, making Audacity, her cat, and friends into lively, likable characters. With characteristic deftness, she weaves her historical material seamlessly into the story; Audacity is a modern girl.... Clever, funny, and sweet in equal measures." -- Kirkus Reviews"Readers will cheer Audacity's ingenuity and bravery as they relish every moment of her adventures. Highly recommended." -- School Library JournalPraise for Liberty:* "Larson once again creates an engaging story that is rich in historical details. She purposefully captures both the fear and the hope in a world torn by war as well as the simple love of a boy for his dog. Practically perfect." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review"A slice-of-life tale for historical fiction fans and animal lovers alike." -- School Library Journal"Larson brings the historical setting to life with vivid details and draws readers into the story with a heartfelt dog-and-child relationship." -- HornbookPraise for Dash:Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical FictionA Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year*"Emotionally satisfying and thought-provoking." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review*"[A] trenchant novel." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"Historical fiction at its best." -- School Library JournalPraise for Duke:*"Exceptionally well-crafted and emotionally authentic." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review*"[An] incisive tale of loyalty, patriotism, sacrifice, and bravery." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"A good example of how bravery comes in all shapes, sizes -- and breeds." -- BooklistPraise for Hattie Big Sky:A Newbery Honor Recipient*"[An] engaging historical novel... [Larson] creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters." -- Booklist, starred review*"Larson... create[s] a masterful picture of the homesteading experience and the people who persevered." -- School Library Journal, starred review"Refreshing." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Kirby Larson is the acclaimed author of the 2007 Newbery Honor Book Hattie Big Sky; its sequel, Hattie Ever After; The Friendship Doll; Dear America: The Fences Between Us; Duke; Dash, winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction; Liberty; Code Word Courage; Audacity Jones to the Rescue; and its sequel, Audacity Jones Steals the Show. She has also cowritten the award-winning picture books Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival and Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle. She lives in Washington with her husband and Winston the Wonder Dog.

From Audacity Jones"I suppose you know why you are here?" The bird woman squawked the question.Audie glanced at the Commodore. She didn't want to answer incorrectly. "I thought it best to keep her in the dark." The Commodore shifted on his chair. After a brief pause, the woman nodded. "Yes, of course. The less she knows --" she let the thought hang in the air, unfinished. Audie's imagination couldn't help but finish. The less she knows, the safer she is? Is that what was implied? Audie swiped damp palms on her new wool coat, inhaling deeply to steady her nerves. "We have an exceedingly important job to do. Tomorrow. At the White House." The woman stared down her beak at Audie, her hot gaze warming Audie right through to her backbone. The White House! That silly game she'd played with Beatrice hadn't been too far off the mark after all. The White House. What would the Wayward Girls say to that? Audie sat a little taller, shoulders back, pride puffing out her chest. Think of it! An orphan like her, coming to the aid of the president of the United States. "It's an honor." Audie couldn't help but wonder what sort of assistance the president might require of her. Though there could not be another man in America with more on his mind than poor President Taft, it would hardly do for Audie to offer him a bedtime song such as those she had sung to soothe the triplets. She struggled to imagine what other help a president could demand of an orphan. Nothing came to mind. But nevertheless. The president needed her. And she was not about to let him down. By the time her thoughts cycled through all the possibilities, she was so full of patriotic fervor and passion she nearly saluted Miss Beaknose. "I'll do whatever you need." The woman nodded curtly. "We haven't much time. Listen closely."