Quick Look
Sandy, a young lawyer's apprentice who lives in eighteenth-century Edinburgh, becomes involved in tracking down a band of smugglers, all linked to a Jacobite coup.
Description
It's 1736, and Sandy, a young lawyer's apprentice in Edinburgh, becomes involved in tracking down a dangerous band of smugglers, who are linked to a Jacobite coup. His several close escapes all add to this compelling adventure story.
Reviews
'This is typical Hunter territory, non-stop action from the outset. Rather reminiscent of Kidnapped in its chases across rough land, its frequent short gun-fights and the sense of very real danger that is created, this is a gripping read, culminating in the Porteous riot, where the mob lynch the former Captain of the Town Guard.'
-- Treasure Island: A guide to Scottish fiction for young readers aged 10-14, Summer 2003
'The main characters are real flawed human beings with strengths and weaknesses who are caught up, not in fantasy, but in well-documented historical situations where they have to rely on their own talents and resourcefulness to carry out missions entrusted to them by young men whom they admire. The bare bones of real history are fleshed out, readers introduced not just to major, but minor characters and their lifestyles.
The Lothian Run has a fast moving and detailed plot. Mollie Hunter surprises with a wealth of local knowledge. Children do a lot of growing between 10 and 13, much of it vicariously through the books they read. Some of it, hopefully, from books such as these.'
-- Wilma Rawson, Steiner Education, Winter 2003
'Smugglers and political schemers lead an engaging young lawyer's clerk on a menace-filled chase through 18th-century Scotland. Both boys and girls will run for this lustrously literate historical novel.'
-- SLJ Book Review
'This is the traditional historical novel at its best: strong plot, strong action, yet the characters -- no puppets -- are living, and complex too. How remarkably well Mollie Hunter writes in this genre.'
-- The Bookseller
'A thrilling tale involving the Porteous Riots, smuggling and a Jacobite plot. It is good to see such an outstanding book back in print.'
-- Mary Moffat, Historical Novels Review, August 2003
'The book is fast paced and exciting. If you think you could keep up with the fast pace and like novels set in the past then I would really recommend this book. I rate this book 9/10.'
-- Matt Longmuir, age 13, Education Otherwise
Author
Mollie Hunter (1922-2012) wrote more than 25 novels for children since 1953, incorporating a life-long exploration of Scotland's folklore and history into her stories. She received numerous awards and honours for her books, including the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year Award, the Boston Globe Horn Book Award and the Carnegie Medal.
Links
Download or print a free Teacher's Guide for this book:
Lothian Run Teacher's Guide (PDF; 16KB)
More great books by Mollie Hunter:
A Stranger Came Ashore
The Thirteenth Member
Escape from Loch Leven
Don't miss the Discover Kelpies website for children with exclusive author interviews, fun stuff and latest gossip on your favourite Scottish stories.
