Lucy Catherine Thomkins was looking for poetry when she slipped the booklet from Papa’s coat pocket and discovered Information for Kanzas Immigrants. Just another political paper, nothing a thirteen-year-old poet would be interested in. But before dinner is over that night, Lucy becomes one those immigrants. She feels as out of place in 1855 Kansas Territory as the sky-blue silk gown she has worn for the journey from Pennsylvania, and she seeks her own purpose in this strange place. Papa is committed to the cause of abolitionism, and Mamma is committed to the success of the family’s general store. Even her brother, ten-year-old Joseph, seems to embrace this new life, despite the threats of the Border Ruffians who harass the citizens of Lawrence. When Lucy discovers that her best friend’s family is working with the Underground Railroad, Lucy must make a decision which could have dangerous consequences for herself and her family. She must decide just what she stands for, and she must find her own true voice to express herself in a time and place where a young girl’s voice is seldom valued.

Reviews for A Voice for Kanzas:

“Authenticity supported by her previous juvenile nonfiction works, McArthur has created a believable and fast-paced tale of life in the Kansas Territory.” –Kirkus Reviews

“With a smart, courageous lead character, this book provides young adult readers with an interesting opportunity to learn about Kansas’s contentious history involving pro-slave and free-state forces.  [A] good read and is recommended for its well-researched historical content.”  –Econ Kids at Rutgers University

“[Lucy’s] actions drive the narrative and provide plenty of edge-of-your-seat suspense. McArthur offers a good story that interweaves complex political and dramatic elements and offers interesting yet nonintrusive excerpts of historical documents to open each chapter.”        –Booklist

A Voice for Kanzas, a novel for young readers, was released 3/1/2012 from Kane Miller.