Trouble Don't Last

Written by Shelley Pearsall

Narrated by Ron Butler

Eleven-year-old Samuel was born as Master Hackler's slave, and working the Kentucky farm is the only life he's ever known-until one dark night in 1859, that is. With no warning, cranky old Harrison, a fellow slave, pulls Samuel from his bed and, together, they run. The journey north seems much more frightening than Master Hackler ever was, and Samuel's not sure what freedom means aside from running, hiding, and starving. But as they move from one refuge to the next on the Underground Railroad, Samuel uncovers the secret of his own past-and future. And old Harrison begins to see past a whole lifetime of hurt to the promise of a new life-and a poignant reunion- in Canada. In a heartbreaking and hopeful first novel, Shelley Pearsall tells a suspenseful, emotionally charged story of freedom and family. Trouble Don't Last includes a historical note and map.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980056591

Shelley Pearsall

A former teacher and museum historian, Shelley Pearsall is now a full-time author. Her first novel, Trouble Don’t Last, won the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Her other books include Jump into the Sky, Crooked River, All of the Above, and All Shook Up.

Reviews for Trouble Don't Last

[junipersun · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Usually the main character is brave and clever. Not Samuel, he is afraid of just about anything, and wants to get back to the only home he knows. Harrison, his elderly companion, is insistent that they get to Canada. Along the way, Samuel learns something about his own family, and begins to think for himself.Starting from Kentucky in the 1850's, this Young Adult story tells of runaway slaves, the unlikely people who help them on their way, and the pervasive risks involved.

[root.katy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Winner of the Scott O'Dell award for historical fiction and a Booklist editors choice. The author recreates the physical environment as the young protagonist and "Old Harrison" escape from Kentucky to head north to Canada via the Underground Railroad. These two main characters are fictional however they do come in contact with real historical figures as explained in the author's note.

[natalie.loy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a story about an eleven year old boy named Samuel and his journey to freedom. Set in 1859, Samuel was born into slavery and working the fields is all he has ever known, until one night Old Harrison, a fellow slave, pulls him from his bed and tells him he is running to freedom with him. As the two travel north seeking refuge with people who are part of the Underground Railroad, Samuel begins to realize there is more to life than being a slave and has to come to terms with acceptance of his cruel treatment over the past eleven years. As the journey continues Samuel begins to see hope in freedom.

[obridget1-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book definitely kept me interested and wanting to read it. This is her first book that was published in 2002 and Shelley Pearsall has since written some other books that I am hoping to get to at least a couple of them soon. I enjoyed the book much more than what I thought I would...It took me a little bit to finish the book because I was and am still unpacking and trying to find places for things in the new apartment {as of this post}...But if you enjoy historical fiction, especially around slavery...This book is at least worth picking up and at least taking a look at. Its an "easy read" that shouldn't take long to get through. Once I read the first page, it drew me in. :-)

[bridgetsbooknook · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book definitely kept me interested and wanting to read it. This is her first book that was published in 2002 and Shelley Pearsall has since written some other books that I am hoping to get to at least a couple of them soon. I enjoyed the book much more than what I thought I would...It took me a little bit to finish the book because I was and am still unpacking and trying to find places for things in the new apartment {as of this post}...But if you enjoy historical fiction, especially around slavery...This book is at least worth picking up and at least taking a look at. Its an "easy read" that shouldn't take long to get through. Once I read the first page, it drew me in. :-)

[theheathers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"trouble don't last" is a very moving story about a young slave escaping from Kentucky. Its well written and offers some mystery along with its slave narrative. It shows how the Underground Railroad was not a clear route and how scary it was for slaves trying to escape using the UR.